Our Board

CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

Until 2017, Janet Adamson was Headteacher of a local primary school, having been a teacher in the city for forty years. Maintaining a balance - including the arts - in the curriculum has always been of great importance to her. Currently a trustee of Hull & East Yorkshire Children’s University, Teeth Team, and a member of the MC4C Board promoting business enterprise to young people, Janet also provides creative business support to some local entrepreneurs.

BOARD MEMBER

Mungo Beaumont has worked in the non-profit sector for the last 15 years. Originally a founding member and Executive Director of Hull based Middle Child Theatre Company, he is now the CEO and founder of Aneka, a digital consultancy providing design, implementation and development services to the social sector.

He is a fellow of the Clore Emerging Leaders programme, loves all things strategy and spreadsheets and holds qualifications in both table tennis coaching and counselling. As articulated by his primary school teacher, he is "terrible at art", but inspired by both Artlink and his daughter to learn and improve!

BOARD MEMBER, 87 GALLERY

Annabelle Campbell serves on the Board for 87 Gallery, offering expertise in museum and curatorial practice, fashion and textiles, and knowledge of institutional policies. Her research and professional specialisms are centred on managing and developing contemporary collections, curating contemporary issues, and working with living artists and practitioners. Ensuring access and inclusion is at the heart, she is passionate about making content and interpretation accessible, relevant, and engaging.

BOARD MEMBER

Born and raised in Hull, I am proud to be a local girl with deep roots in the community Artlink serves. Since leaving Hull University in 2006, I have built a career in finance, spending the majority of that time as a financial adviser supporting clients to achieve their financial goals. While I am confident working with numbers, what truly drives me is the power of human connection, helping people navigate the emotional as well as practical sides of money decisions and seeing the real difference that can make to their lives.

Alongside my professional work in finance, I have always nurtured my entrepreneurial spirit. I have founded and run several small businesses, including an arm knitting company, a children’s soft-play business, and a furniture venture.

BOARD MEMBER

Mollie-Ann is an artist who specialises in the culture and history of Hull. Alongside her artistic practice and a part-time job in customer service, Mollie-Ann volunteers at 87 Gallery, assisting with workshops, helping set up exhibitions and meeting with other artists and members of the public. She is also a part of Future Ferens, working with Ferens Art Gallery and fellow young artists to curate exhibitions and organise events.

Mollie-Ann is also an artist facilitator and enjoys working with the Open Access groups here at the gallery, she is passionate about ensuring art is accessible to all, making sure it’s fulfilling and always fun.

TREASURER

Colin has spent over 20 years in the NHS working to involve patients and members of the public in decision making. He was previously Festival Assistant of the Humber Mouth Literature Festival. The opening of Artlink Hull as a local arts centre in Princes Avenue was a significant event for Colin and he joined the Board to be part of its continued success.

BOARD MEMBER

Severine Kipili joined the Board of Trustees in July 2023. She is CEO of the charity Bora Shabaa which she set up to support refugees and asylum seekers to thrive and fulfil their potential in our community by offering language support and help to access services such as decent housing, benefits, employment, healthcare and schools for children. Severine attended Artlink Hull sessions herself when she first came to Britain in 2006, and is excited by the potential of art and creativity to give people confidence and help them to fulfil their dreams.

BOARD MEMBER

Ben McKnight is a strategic communications leader, who has held director and other senior roles at organisations around the UK. Specialising in arts, culture, events and placemaking, his background includes the Greater London Authority, Hull UK City of Culture, Manchester International Festival, UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, ULYSSES European Odyssey and the British Red Cross Society. As a freelance consultant, his clients include Paraorchestra, Oldham Coliseum Theatre and Multi-Story Orchestra.

BOARD MEMBER

Ben Watkinson is the Global Brand Director at GF Smith, leading the iconic British paper company’s brand strategy, creative direction, and 2025 rebrand. Based in Hull, he has been with the company since 2015, driving a ‘challenger spirit’ to modernize the brand's image and deepen its connection with the creative community.

BOARD MEMBER

Paul Watt is a marketing professional who has been working within the Arts & Culture sector since graduating from the University of Hull in 2015. During his career, he’s worked across the UK for companies including See Tickets, Hull Truck Theatre and Leeds Heritage Theatres – where he is currently employed as Campaigns Manager. This is the first board Paul has been a trustee for after completing the Young People on Arts Boards training programme in July 2022.