The Umbrella Team

Liz was Director of the Gulbenkian at the University of Kent from 2011 securing National Portfolio status for the organisation with Arts Council England in 2014.

She led many initiatives involving children and young people, including ART31, a project aiming to creatively empower young people. She was founder and Artistic Director of bOing! International Family Festival

From 2017, she was the University’s Director of Arts and Culture and worked to set up the Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries (ICCI) and became its Partnerships Director in 2019. On leaving the University in 2020 she became an Emeritus Fellow before her current role as Creative Director of Playground a National Portfolio Organisation with Arts Council England aiming to empower the creativity of young children and their families.

Simon has lived in Whitstable for 15 years. He held a number of senior housing development and regeneration positions in local government over a thirty year career. In 2019, he became a partner in an FCA regulated business focussing on developing housing solutions for the homeless.

David has lived in Whitstable for many years and has been involved with the Centre since 2002. Previously he worked in the field of quality in a range of industries both here and abroad.   His hobbies include reading and angling, and he has made his keen interest in the application of computers and associated technology available to the community through tutoring at the Centre in computing and digital photography.

Gary grew up in East London and has been a Whitstable resident for over 5 years. Since moving to Whitstable, Gary has opened a restaurant in the town and regularly volunteers in the community. From supporting local fundraisers with 20 years of DJ talent behind him, to being the Centres very own Kris Kringle – Gary is always willing to get involved wherever he feels he can.

Craig was born and raised in Whitstable, he is committed to working with local people and wants to help create a thriving community centre for all to attend and enjoy. In past years Craig had spent time supervising and running the charity carpark at the Junior School with the Whitstable District Chamber of Commerce, seeing to it that local charities received opportunity and needed support. He also has experience in catering, events planning and finance.

From DIY to tech and design, Craig will turn his hand to most things if he feels he can be of help. Outside of hosting Centre events and fundraisers, you’ll often find him lending a hand at events taking place in town and in the Centre such as the Whitstable Open Gardens/ National Garden Scheme, Wild About Whitstable, May Day Morris Fundraisers, Whitstable Carnival Fundraisers and the towns festive light switch on/ Whitsparkle Lantern Parade and Ball.