Prior to becoming Managing Director of Coram SSF, Ruth was a teacher in Tower Hamlets. Her class performed in the 2013 Festival and the impact on her children was so fundamental, Ruth was determined to work for SSF. Before teaching, Ruth relaunched a small inclusive theatre charity and spent six years working in as a parliamentary researcher, media manager and senior press officer for the former Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg. Ruth has an English degree from Cambridge.

What Shakespeare character you would be? Because of her love of feisty, independent people, Ruth aspires to be Beatrice.

ceo@shakespeareschools.org

In his role as Director of Finance, Chris is responsible for leading the Finance Department and directing the financial strategy of the business. Previously he was Managing Director of a global market research business and has also held senior financial roles at Taylor Nelson Sofres (now part of WPP) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Chris is a qualified Chartered Accountant with the ICAEW and has an MBA from Kingston University.

What Shakespeare character you would be? Prospero - just, fair and a wizard with numbers.

chris@shakespeareschools.org

After four years working the higher education sector Mike joined the Festival Team at SSF. Passionate about the power of stories to bring together people and communities, Mike works with the theatres and theatremakers who support schools through their Festival journey. He also works to measure the impact of SSF's work. Mike originally moved to London from South Wales to study law and philosophy, and still ponders why there are rules. Mike aims to be like Horatio because he's friendly, dependable and alive at the end.

What Shakespeare character you would be? Horatio

mike@shakespeareschools.org

After four years working the higher education sector Mike joined the Festival Team at SSF. Passionate about the power of stories to bring together people and communities, Mike works with the theatres and theatremakers who support schools through their Festival journey. He also works to measure the impact of SSF's work. Mike originally moved to London from South Wales to study law and philosophy, and still ponders why there are rules. Mike aims to be like Horatio because he's friendly, dependable and alive at the end.

What Shakespeare character you would be? Horatio

mike@shakespeareschools.org

Five years ago Francesca was thrilled to discover she could work for SSF and stop being embarassed about loving Shakespeare. Every day since, she has been inspired by teachers who go the extra mile for their pupils, and by young people for whom the sheer joy of stepping onto a stage is life-changing. She has played Rosalind, from As You Like It, and aspires to her bravery and determination.

What Shakespeare character you would be? Rosalind

francesca@shakespeareschools.org

jonathan@shakespeareschools.org

Maddie trained as an actress at Mountview Academy before qualifying as a teacher and teaching for six years in North London and Hertfordshire. Joining Shakespeare Schools Foundation in 2015 brought together her passion for Shakespeare in performance and inspiring a love of learning. Maddie feels strongly that Shakespeare is for everyone and her role at SSF, overseeing the work with schools and developing resources to support teachers, gives her the exciting opportunity to tap into its relevance for young people. She feels especially passionate about using Shakespeare when working with disengaged learners and is very proud of the work SSF does with students in Pupil Referral Units.    

What Shakespeare character you would be? Viola

maddie@shakespeareschools.org

Emma has a degree in Drama and Theatre Studies from Lancaster University, and spent her second year studying in New York. During this year she discovered the powerful impact Shakespeare's words have on our understanding of the world. 

Prior to joining Shakespeare Schools Foundation, Emma began her career as a drama teacher in Liverpool, participating in the Festival as a Teacher Director in 2013. Emma relocated to London in 2018 and was thrilled to be given the opportunity to work for SSF. She is a firm believer that a child's involvement in the arts allows them to gain the skills they need to be successful in life. 

Which Shakespeare character you would be? Because of his fun-loving humour and mischievousness, Emma would be Puck.

emmac@shakespeareschools.org

Michael's first memory of Shakespeare was taking part in the Festival at secondary school. The experience transformed him into a more ambitious learner and ignited an enthusiasm for theatre making. After studying, he worked for years as a drama teacher and theatre facilitator with a variety of groups across the world. Michael started working at SSF in 2015, since then he's been inspired by the young people who boldly take to the stage and go through the same transformation.

What Shakespeare character you would be? Bottom

michael@shakespeareschools.org

Prior to joining SSF Alistair created and produced theatre, devising shows inspired by the location and architecture of its performance space. He has also worked in market research, managing projects for public and private sector organisations, and has worked on various youth and outreach programmes across the UK. Alistair is proud to work for SSF and is passionate about the power theatre and the arts have to build relationships and create communities.

What Shakespeare character you would be? A quiz said Alistair would be Falstaff – although he doesn’t necessarily think of himself as vain, cowardly and fat he isn’t one to question the integrity of a BuzzFeed quiz.

alistair@shakespeareschools.org 

Jess has a degree in Theatre, Film and Television from the University of Bristol. It was here she realised that the arts could be used as a powerful tool for social change. After graduating University Jess began her career as a participant of Charityworks (a graduate scheme for the non-profit sector). Since then she has dedicated her time to improving opportunities for young people by working and volunteering for charities such as Young Devon, NCS The Challenge, Young Minds and Disability Arts.

Jess feels very privileged to work for SSF, where she can marry her love of supporting young people’s wellbeing with her passion for the arts. She is proud to Coordinate the region for the North West, where she grew up.

What Shakespeare character you would be? Cordelia - She is honest, and will always fight for justice.

jessica@shakespeareschools.org

Bethany has always been passionate about Shakespeare and the power of literature, and recently graduated from the University of Oxford with a Master's degree in English. She has run educational charity events for the European Youth Parliament UK for a number of years alongside studying, before coming to Shakespeare Schools Foundation as a Schools Outreach Officer. 

Which Shakespeare character would you be? If Bethany were a Shakespeare character, she would be Beatrice, because she's independent, loyal to her friends and has great chat. 

bethany@shakespeareschools.org

Louise began her career working for the Studio and Learning Department at Theatre Royal Newcastle where a passion was ignited for theatre with a social impact. This led her to London where she completed an MA in Applied Theatre at Goldsmiths College. Following this Louise threw herself into the freelance arts world working on diverse educational and community projects with charities, theatres, museums and galleries across the capital. Louise joined SSF in 2018 and is delighted to work for a charity so dedicated to giving young people the best start in life. When she is not raving about SSF's work Louise can be found Singing, Swing Dancing, Acting in Community Theatre projects or attending a Zumba Class.

What Shakespeare character would you be? Viola

louise@shakespeareschools.org

francis@shakespeareschools.org

Alex was initially drawn to Shakespeare by Twelfth Night which blew away his misconceptions of Shakespeare as a boring, serious playwright, and he’s been a fan ever since. He is immensely proud of the work Shakespeare Schools Foundation does and has made it one of his favourite pastimes to tell anyone who’ll listen about some of the inspiring stories he has seen unfold as part of the Festival.

Which Shakespeare character would you be? King Lear

alex@shakespeareschools.org

In his role as Director of Finance, Chris is responsible for leading the Finance Department and directing the financial strategy of the business. Previously he was Managing Director of a global market research business and has also held senior financial roles at Taylor Nelson Sofres (now part of WPP) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Chris is a qualified Chartered Accountant with the ICAEW and has an MBA from Kingston University.

What Shakespeare character you would be? Prospero - just, fair and a wizard with numbers.

chris@shakespeareschools.org

Stephen's interest in Shakespeare was sparked off by studying Macbeth and Midsummer Nights Dream and Macbeth at school and later Othello at A level. His love of theatre was only strengthened whilst studying the Abbey Theatre and the plays of JM Synge and Sean O'Casey. Since then he has worked in various cultural institutions including; Southwark Playhouse, The Old Vic and the National Army Museum. He joined the team in 2016 as Systems Officer and has taken on more responsibility within the Income Generation Team.

What Shakespeare character you would be? Macbeth

stephen@shakespeareschools.org

James joined SSF at the start of 2016 and works in the Finance Team. He studied Economics at the University of Birmingham and is training to become a qualified accountant. Outside of work, he has a keen interest in sport and spends most of his free time playing cricket and golf. James thoroughly enjoys working at SSF and is looking forward to seeing more performances in future Festivals.

james@shakespeareschools.org