We asked Lizzie Pencavel and Liz Carter about their respective backgrounds and their views on the significance of their roles as trustees.
LIZZIE: Lizzie is a marketing and communications professional with a huge passion for culture and creative industries.
From early beginnings writing stories as a child, working front of house in the theatre as a young adult and a freelance photographer, Lizzie set out on developing a career in television and film, most notably working on BBC shows including EastEnders and Silent Witness.
Lizzie now has extensive marketing, advertising and communications experience working for household names and most recently The Mayor of London’s Culture Team. Lizzie has recently been awarded a WACL (Women in Advertising and Communications Leadership) Talent Award and hopes to use this to take the world by storm!
How long have you been a trustee for us?
I officially became a Trustee for Applause in September, joining them for a quarterly Board Meeting.
What made you decide to become a trustee?
There are a number of reasons I wanted to become a trustee. I have always been passionate about helping people and have supported various charities in different ways, from volunteering to taking part in sponsored sports events. I want to be able to spend some of my spare time giving back and doing something for the community.
I’ve always loved arts, theatre, music and culture – so what better organisation to work with than one that brings these great things to a wider audience. Applause allows many more people access to culture so I’m glad to be able to be even a small part of it.
Being a trustee also allows me to extend my network, my knowledge and experience. There’s plenty more for me to learn and I’m looking forward to understanding more about the organisation, being a Trustee and gaining new skills.
This year, Trustees’ Week theme is ‘Many voices, working together, with purpose’. What would you like to say about that?
At Applause, I aspire to our team being a voice for others, raising the profile of culture in different communities and giving a voice to many through performance. We’ll work together, as a team, with our networks, with partners and audiences to help people in rural communities. We have strong purpose, to make the world better, to educate and inspire, through the arts.
LIZ: Liz is a business, research and communications professional with a career across charitable, cultural and professional services organisations. She spent three years as the company manager for Claque Theatre writing grant bids and helping produce large community plays in Sussex. Her favourite thing about Applause is how it takes original, high quality performances to unexpected places. Growing up in a rural community herself, she appreciates how arts and theatre can bring people and places alive. Liz enjoys performing and currently gigs with a covers band. She loves the great outdoors and can often be seen campervanning along the UK coastline with her family.
How long have you been a trustee for us?
I’ve been a trustee with Applause for 3 months.
What made you decide to become a trustee?
The reason I got involved is because I love learning and wanted to challenge myself and my professional skills, at the same time as supporting a cause I care about. That bit is central to becoming a trustee. I grew up in a rural community and have experienced how high quality performances can transform audiences and raise aspirations for cultural experiences locally. Each of the trustees will have something that personally resonates with them but as group we share a sense of purpose and that makes it enjoyable. Thanks to Sam and the Applause team it was really easy to join and I have been made to feel really welcome.
