FOUNDER

Sue believes passionately in the power of the arts to build strong, healthy communities and to bring joy and confidence to individuals. Her hope is that The STARTS award encourages many more talented newcomers to follow their creative passions and to be able to share their work with a wider audience.

JUDGE - SPOKEN WORD & PROJECT COODINATOR

Lydia knows from personal experience what a powerful tool creative practice can be in nurturing a more joyful existence. She is proud to champion the Arts as a viable career path as well as a rewarding hobby, particularly in communities where the Arts are less accessible.

Lydia trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama from 2016-2019 & has worked as a professional actor ever since. Her credits include lead roles for Netflix (IN FROM THE COLD) and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING). She has worked in multiple roles across TV, film & Theatre (Sky, BBC, National Theatre Studio). Her most recent film LAST SWIM (Caviar Productions) won the Crystal Bear for Best Feature Film Generation 14+ at Berlin Film Festival 2024 and is released in theatres worldwide 4 April 2025.

JUDGE & OWNER MATT & PHRED’S, COMME CA ART GALLERIES

The STARTS Award understands living in an era where stress and anxiety affect many people across all walks of life. Enriching people's lives through the creativity of art is an incredible outlet for wellbeing.

Claire & the teams at Matt & Phred’s & Comme Ca are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the selected STARTS Award artists on a prestigious exhibition alongside a selection of professional artists we work with.

JUDGE, SPOKEN WORD

Ian Rickson is a multi award-winning British Director whose notable work includes ‘Jerusalem’ by Jez Butterworth (West End & Broadway). Ian was also the Artistic Director at the prestigious Royal Court Theatre 1998-2006. Last year he directed ‘London Tide’ which ran at the National Theatre featuring original songs by acclaimed singer-songwriter PJ Harvey. Ian’s work is always adventurous, imaginative, & collaborative, exploring all the ways that theatre can be used to move people & examine the world around us.

In 2015 Ian ran a session with a small group of veterans to workshop an idea for a future production. Six years later the project became ‘Paradise’ at the National Theatre - Kae Tempest’s reworking of the Greek tragedy ‘Philoctetes’. In 2021 Ian invited the veterans involved in the workshops into his rehearsal room to join the cast of Paradise. Since then Ian has led acting & writing workshops for the military community, bringing a unique insight into his professional creative processes.

GUEST SPEAKER - SPOKEN WORD

Steve originally trained as a teacher & worked for 20 years before writing his first play ‘Damages’. It was performed at the renowned Bush theatre in Shepherd’s Bush & won the Meyer Whitworth Award for Best New Play. His second play, ‘Whipping It Up’ transferred to the West End & was nominated for an Olivier Award.

Steve then moved into television, writing for 3 series of the BAFTA winning BBC show ‘Sherlock’, 3 series of ‘Doctor Who’, as well as ‘Silk’ (BBC), ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ (BBC) & Deep State’ (Fox).

His latest projects are the 8-part thriller ‘Prime Suspect’ for Apple TV+ & the Guy Ritchie’s latest show for Amazon.

JUDGE & COACH - VISUAL ART

Gary graduated from Exeter College of Art in 1983 & has worked solidly as an illustrator & animator ever since. His credits include: Disney Movietoons, the Beatrix Potter films & Wind in the Willows. From 2007-18, Gary was the series director of Fireman Sam & continues to be the voice director. Gary has produced several children’s books & advertising campaigns (including the fox character for Old Speckled Hen) & has a long-term association with Private Eye.

Gary’s work reached a wider audience in recent years via his ‘Doodleaday’ drawings on social media, which were a response to the sudden and untimely death of his wife, Joy in 2017. They explored the grieving process as well as looking at life as a single dad. This led to an appearance on the One Show, who commissioned him to produce a short, animated film based on the doodles and also led to the publication of his book ‘Finding Joy’ in 2021.

JUDGE - VISUAL ART

Miles Takes is an Oxfordshire based visual artist whose practice balances symmetry and asymmetry, crafting meditative spaces that reflect the beauty and harmony of the universe.

Miles’s work has been exhibited internationally, with highlights including; a solo exhibition "Moments" at Me London Hotel, with Gone Rogue Gallery, a clothing collaboration with fashion brand Orlebar Brown, and Private views with Bentley Cars. Miles has also won numerous awards and residency scholarships in his short career so far, being noted as one of the “emerging talents shaping the future of art”.

JUDGE & COACH - SPOKEN WORD

Tom is a writer, actor & comedian, best known for writing the stage adaptation of Rocky Horror sequel SHOCK TREATMENT & performing in TV drama THE ROYALS. He appears regularly in podcasts WOODEN OVERCOATS, VICTORIOCITY, THE BEEF & DAIRY NETWORK PODCAST. He has also performed in audio productions for BBC Radio 4, Audible, Fremantle Media & Somethin’ Else. He has written for Cartoon Network Studios Europe, BBC Radio 4Extra, BBC Radio Wales, Wooden Overcoats, Six to Start & Bafflegab Productions.

As an entertainment professional, Tom knows how many barriers there are for people trying to access creative opportunities. That’s why Tom signed up to work on The STARTS Award - to work alongside a team of amazing people to break down those barriers.

MILITARY PEER SUPPORT - SPOKEN WORD

Claire served as an Operating Department Practitioner in the RAMC from 2008 until 2012 when she was medically discharged due to mental ill health.

At 21, Claire was introduced to poetry and creative writing by a mental health nurse.

“I was so thrilled to be asked to be part of the team this year. The STARTS Award offers so much to the winners. I was going through a bit of a tough time last year and wasn't going to enter but thankfully I was encouraged too! Being named one of the 2024 winners and working on my piece for the showcase gave me something to work on and focus on and it helped me so much. The team make it such a joyful and happy experience and I consider it a great privilege to be part of the team this year and to be able to help the 2025 winners in whatever way I can.”

GUEST SPEAKER - VISUAL ART

Alan’s passion for art began as a child & it continued to be his favourite subject throughout school. Despite his love of it life took over and, after leaving school, Alan did not maintain his creative practice. In his early forties he was in an art gallery and came across some abstract art which reawakened his creative instinct. He picked art back up, and what started as a hobby has now become a career. In recent years Alan has exhibited in many galleries all over the UK and 4 times in the USA. He has collectors of his work worldwide. 

“When I take hold of a blank canvas, there’s an excitement that’s hard to explain. The creative possibilities are infinite and abstraction offers all those possibilities… Quite often, the end result takes me by surprise in an amazing and uplifting way.”

MILITARY PEER SUPPORT - VISUAL ART

“Art has been more helpful in my life than any medication has ever been.”

Darren is an Army Veteran who served with the 4th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery.

Darren now works for a veterans’ charity called Veterans In Communities teaching art to Veterans & their families.

“I wanted to join the team because I love to help other veterans and their families with their art work and to support them the best I can when they may struggle with life or their creative work. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than helping other veterans. The STARTS Award means so much to so many as it brings a community of artists together doing what they love the most. Without The STARTS Award many people would struggle with motivation, self belief and confidence.”

LIVE EVENT PRODUCER - MATT & PHRED’S

Jordan has worked in all things live music at Matt & Phred’s for a few years now. He loves meeting passionate people, and crafting events with them. From a little spark of an idea, all the way through to a room filled with an immersed audience; what could be better?!

Stoking the fires of creativity from all walks of life is key to Jordan, so being part of the Starts Award’s vision is a total pleasure. Such a worthy cause deserves as much of a spotlight as possible, and he’s thrilled to be involved.