Our Board
Greg Brenman (Chair)
Greg is a BAFTA Award-winning television producer, entrepreneur and business leader. He has more than 35 years’ experience in the TV industry, creating and producing critically acclaimed, commercially successful film and television dramas such as Peaky Blinders, The English, Steal, and the feature film Billy Elliot. Greg is co-founder of Drama Republic, one of the UK’s leading independent drama production companies, and is a Trustee of local theatre company, Hightide.
Greg joins DanceEast as Chair a year after Anthony Missen joined as Chief Executive & Creative Director, and as the organisation embarks on a new business plan which will launch in April 2027. Greg says:
“Coming from the world of independent film and television, and as fan of contemporary dance, I couldn’t be more excited to take on the role of Chair at such a dynamic organisation, based in a wonderful building in the heart of Ipswich. DanceEast is already one of the UK’s leading places to make and tour dance, with strong and successful community engagement, and I look forward to supporting Anthony in achieving his exciting and ambitious plans.”
Ben Morton Wright
Ben Morton Wright is the founder of Global Philanthropic and Talking Philanthropy, and a leading voice in the global philanthropic sector. Having founded the Group in Asia in 2002, he has advised more than 1,000 organisations worldwide, including leading philanthropists, foundations, United Nations bodies, and some of the world’s top universities. In 2016, he established Talking Philanthropy, now the world’s largest philanthropic forum, and has authored numerous articles and books on the future of giving. Ben served for seven years on the Council of Goldsmiths, University of London, where he voluntarily led a campaign that raised over £20 million. He advises philanthropists worldwide and is recognised as an expert in Asian philanthropy.
Daden Hunt
Daden is a partner at Birketts LLP, specialising in dispute resolution. He is a graduate of the University of Surrey and it was whilst studying for his degree in Moscow that Daden developed an interest in dance. Since becoming a Trustee in 2011, Daden’s appreciation of, and enthusiasm for, dance in all its forms has continued to grow and he is constantly in awe of the creativity of the world class artists performing at the Jerwood DanceHouse. Daden also now experiences dance at the grassroots, community level as the father of a dance mad 8 year old daughter.
Fleur Derbyshire-Fox
Fleur is Engagement Director for English National Ballet. Fleur joined the company in 2007, establishing the company’s Engagement offer and building its reputation as a leader in creative learning and outreach engagement. Fleur leads the strategy for Engagement encompassing public engagement, dance health & wellbeing, creative learning and artist development. Fleur initiated and leads ENB’s Dance for Parkinson’s – the first UK dance company to offer a specific dance and cultural programme for people living with Parkinson’s.
Isis Clunie
Isis is a dance artist from the East of England and London who attended DanceEast CAT from 11-18 and consequently became part of the National Youth Dance Company, before training at London Contemporary Dance School, where she acted as Student Representative. Her experiences have made her interested in all dance has to offer, from performing at festivals to physical theatre, to event planning and producing. She is committed to understanding how the arts changes so rapidly and reflecting that at DanceEast however that might manifest.
Magnus Spence
Magnus Spence is a data and consulting business entrepreneur, specialising in the investment industry. He is a graduate of The London School of Economics. He and his family moved to Woodbridge in Suffolk in 2003. He became a Trustee of DanceEast in 2019 and now sits on the Finance Committee. His interest in dance has been inspired by visits to performances at the Jerwood Dancehouse over many years. His dance education still has a long way to go, but he is very much enjoying the journey.
Margaret Holder
My career and background are in Arts Development, Youth and Community Work, and Education where I taught Art and Textiles. My involvement in dance goes back many years and includes working with Suffolk Dance (the precursor to DanceEast); organising community workshops; and as a parent, as both my daughters have extensive dance training and careers in Dance. I am delighted to be connected with DanceEast and aim to bring my extensive experience of community participation and formal education to my role as Trustee.
Georgiana van Walsum
Georgiana van Walsum is the founder of Instillness, a creative and strategic studio advising international organisations and individuals on commercial strategy, brand and communications, and producing original writing.
With a background in both science and design, she has held senior leadership roles in Paris, Milan and London.
She keeps a creative practice of her own in Suffolk, and joins the Board as a long-standing DanceEast audience member.
Kerry Whelan
Kerry Whelan is the Executive Director and joint Chief Executive of internationally acclaimed theatre company Frantic Assembly. Prior to that, he was Executive Director of multi award-winning dance company, BalletBoyz, for 12 years.
He has over 30 years’ experience in the cultural and creative industries and has worked as a theatre producer, venue manager, programmer, arts funder, consultant and advisor.
During his career he has produced shows at Sadler’s Wells, The Royal Festival Hall, The Royal Opera House, The National Theatre and The Roundhouse, and films for the BBC, Channel 4 and Sky Arts.
David Farrow
David Farrow was born in Ipswich. He had a successful career working in finance for more than 35 years covering UK and international markets. He is an experienced charity Trustee and has served Green Light Trust, another local charity, for nine years.
