Helga Henry is Director of Organisational Development at Birmingham Hippodrome, a role which focuses on the organisation’s culture and leadership (especially its investment in staff, board and volunteers) together with strategic consultancy projects and thought leadership that contribute to the theatre and the cultural sector as a whole. Immediately prior to this role she was Lead Consultant at Creative Shift – a wholly owned subsidiary of the theatre which brought business skills to creatives and creativity to business.

Her perspective – as a former corporate solicitor with over 20 years’ experience in arts organisations nationally and internationally – combines commercial savvy, artistic vision and incisive observation. A former Clore fellow (2008-2010 NESTA supported fellow for Entrepreneurial Organisations), she now develops cultural leaders, most recently in partnership with Lara Ratnaraja on the highly acclaimed RE:Present programme – Transforming the Diversity of Cultural Leadership (funded by Birmingham City Council and Arts Council England).

Helga has raised/earned £millions over the years for arts and creative projects large and small. She is the author (with Andy Bass) of "Networkability: Building Your Business One Relationship At A Time". Her talk on fundraising will focus on how building relationships, spotting opportunities and dreaming big are the pathways to raising funds and support to realise your vision.