Team
Events/Marketing
Sarah has over ten years of marketing, events and programme management experience in the public and charity sector. She currently works as Communications and Project Lead at Leeds Business School. Passionate about supporting the region’s business ecosystem through collaboration and partnership, Sarah has specialist experience of engaging with SMEs and supporting social enterprises in her role as Board Member for Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber (SEYH).
Sarah Whittle
Building Development
Stefanie is an award-winning Chartered Architect who lives and works in Otley. She is the Director of Stead and Co. Architects, specialising in community consultation, collaborative design, and delivery of community and education projects, including those of a heritage nature.
She was awarded an MBE for services to architecture and construction. She specialises in community, education and heritage projects, with an emphasis on inclusive and sustainable design. She is a lecturer at York College and an Inclusive Champion for the Construction Industry Council.
Stefanie Stead MBE
Operational Development
Clare was born and bred in Otley and having moved back to Otley 10 years ago she is now Chair of Otley Players, Otley’s community theatre group.
Clare is an Executive Director of one of the largest NHS Hospital Trusts in the country and is passionate about inclusive access to the Arts for all.
Clare Smith
Finance
Andy is a former corporate finance and strategic planning partner in an accountancy and business advisory practice. He is a founder of Otley 2030 and Otley Energy, a Community Benefit Society.
He has extensive experience sitting on and advising third sector boards and currently advises national and local government on the transition to net zero and sustainable communities.
Andy Boyle
Community Development
Andrew is the Community Development Lead for Otley 2030 and a Forest School Leader. He has worked in education for almost 20 years and has been a project leader in third sector organisations for over 15 years.
He is chair of Friends of Gallows Hill and a founder of Otley Community Land Trust.
Andrew Howarth
Finance / Events
Simon Palmer
Simon is a Chartered Accountant and Partner within a top 10 firm of Chartered Accountants. He has been an Otley resident all his life and has recently been instrumental in helping set up Otley Live. Simon has worked within the music industry and brings his financial awareness and local music connections to the board
Branding
Stephen Taylor
Stephen is a brand designer and creative strategist with 10+ years experience working with the worlds most revered design and creative agencies.
He has helped global brands both big and small — build relevance in an ever changing world, and believes that design has the power to change life for better, smarter and more relevant ways we interact with the world. Clients include: Apple, Amazon, Adidas, Audi, Colorplan Papers, Cupra, Derwent London, Design Miami / Basel, Established & Son, G.F Smith, Gill Marine, H&M, Huawei, Hunter, Naim Audio, Samsung, Stella McCartney, Tom Dixon & Vitra.
Stephen moved back to Otley 5+ years ago — he believes in the power of communities can and should work together enrich our living environments for the better.
Governance
Ann is a retired Secondary Science teacher with a keen interest in the environment and the local community. Ann has served on five different school Governing Bodies over a period of 25 years.
Whilst working and bringing up her family in South Yorkshire, Ann contributed much to the local community, including being Chair of Montgomery Hall, an arts and community venue in Wath upon Dearne, as well as organising Wath Community festival for 12 years.
Ann has recently served as a Leeds City Councillor and she moved to Otley with her partner in 2023.
Ann Forsaith
Events/Operations
Paul Shelley
Paul has worked in the Arts, Hospitality and Events sector for 30+ years.
After washing pots, pulling pints and singing in a rock band in Hull, he trained in the 90's at Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama in London. He entered the world of silver service, working at embassies, royal houses and government whilst performing in Shakespeare plays and kids theatre around the south of England. He went on to work for producers in the West End, bringing to the stage shows like Rent, Blood Brothers, The Woman in Black and the critically acclaimed De'La Guarda @ the Roundhouse.
He moved to New Zealand at the turn of the century, broadcasting on Radio Active.FM for over 15 years, most recently as the weekday breakfast host. As a DJ, Performer, Stage Manager, Producer, Technician and general Party Prankster he has graced the stage and enjoyed the best that the Aotearoa festival and events scene has to offer.
From 'The Lucky Star Extravaganza Fair' road train of buses and Fuse Circus's contemporary arial theatre to building then running a city centre nightclub and event venue hosting large corporate clients and international music acts, he's also very proud of working for Peter Jackson's Weta Digital in the Facilities Department, appearing in James Cameron's 'Avatar' fighting 10ft blue aliens and being, as his son says, sweetly and correctly, the "hands of The BFG"
Relocating back to the U.K. and Otley 6 years ago, Paul has been an Event Manager for some exclusive Yorkshire weddings and events, Bar Manager for Otley Golf Club till covid hit, until most recently becoming a Property Manager for a city landlord company.
Needless to say he is very excited to help make this project a great success story for Otley by bringing all his expertise and knowledge to the table.
Youth Support/Events
Alison Torres
Alison specialises in youth development and education, in particular for those in SEND settings.
Alongside 15 years of teaching in specialist schools and mentoring environments, is her years of arts and event management, running hospitality at the likes of The Bradford Playhouse and Bradford Brewery. When running the Brick Box Rooms (an arts for community project and social hub), her leadership was instrumental in the success of the outreach programme in the City. Its main aim is to engage those communities struggling more in the wider society. Furthermore, at many Brick Box events, you would see Alison parading around in sequined costumes and sparkly Doc Martins. A keen lass for flamboyance and fun she has always been.
In another life, Alison formally trained for a B.A. in fashion at Newcastle focusing on knitwear, seeing her designs go on to run the glittering catwalks. And yes she still knits..lots..and has 3 cats..and an allotment.
Alison hopes her love of education, art, cocktails, cats, knitting circles, sequins and vegetables will lift up the offering that Otley Common will bring to the town and wider area.
IT - Logistics
Will Wilkin
Will has almost 20 years experience delivering IT Programmes and Projects across both Public and Private organisations and is currently Head of Programmes for a Global IT Service Provider.
Will moved to Otley in 2017 having lived in the region since attending Leeds University.
Having turned to his partner whilst walking past the Methodist Church in the first week the For Sale signs were erected something like : "Someone should buy that and make sure its becomes a community resource" he is grateful to be given the chance help do just that.
Our organisation formed through the coming together of Otley residents who shared concerns about the ongoing loss of community assets within the area.