Hannah Travers – Director

Hannah is an experienced fundraising consultant with over 15 years’ experience in the charitable sector establishing and delivering fundraising strategies to diversify and grow income. Having worked across a broad spectrum of causes as a Director of Fundraising, Hannah specialises in fundraising for the arts alongside medical research and young people. She has been responsible for leading multi-million fundraising campaigns to secure and manage funding from the European Union, Department for Education, Cabinet Office, Arts Council, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Social Investment Business, NESTA, Garfield Weston Foundation and many more.

Max – Deputy Director

Max graduated in Business Studies, trained in circus skills & performing arts at Bristol’s Fool Time, and consolidated his skills in arts and business with a PgDip with distinction in Arts Management. He moved to Northern Ireland in 1997 to coordinate an EU Peace funded project for Strabane Lifford Development Commission. Joining Derry’s Playhouse in 2000, Max raised some £15m for capital redevelopment, core, and programming costs. He became Interim CEO in 2018, working with the Board to repair the organisation’s financial and operational resilience. He joined Belfast’s contemporary opera production company Dumbworld in 2021 and is a Senior Consultant for The Arts Fundraisers.   

Adrienne – Senior Consultant

Adrienne has over 20 years’ experience in fundraising for a wide range of causes including the arts, international development, education, human rights and the environment. A former Director of Fundraising & Communications, she has successfully secured funds from sources including ACE, Innovate UK and Creative UK. Adrienne also helps clients to develop and implement fundraising and marcomms strategies.

Florence – Consultant

Florence came to fundraising through creative project management work with arts organisations in Cornwall. After learning on the job with various heritage projects, and wanting to make a bigger impact, she completed training with the National Arts Fundraising School in 2020. She’s gone on to lead work on major projects and enjoys working with a wide variety of clients and creative ideas. Florence has a background in the arts herself, with a BA in Music and an MA in Documentary Film (Durham, UCL). She knows first-hand how daunting the funding process can feel, but how transformative it can be for creative work. Now based in Wales, she leads fundraising for Mid Wales Opera and is a Consultant for the Fundraiser.

Deanna – Consultant

Deanna is a senior consultant with over 22 years’ experience in trust fundraising, leading teams and delivering training. She started her professional career as a children’s and reference librarian in public libraries, before moving into fundraising in a variety of settings. Deanna uses her skills and experience to support charities to deliver their vital work, as well as mentoring and coaching fundraisers to put in place mechanisms and knowledge to improve themselves, their abilities and qualifications. Deanna was the Chair of the Scottish Special Interest Group for Trusts, Statutory and Foundations fundraisers; a Project Lead (Trusts) for the Commission on the Donor Experience; and is a Trustee of the Edinburgh World City of Literature Trust.

Having lived and worked in her native Canada and New York City (where she was in the book selection committees of one of the largest US public libraries), she has called Scotland and the UK home for more than 21 years. A love of history, costume and textiles finds her trawling the shelves for historical dress patterns she uses for her involvement in an educational historical interpretation group. (With a side passion for all things Star Wars).

Madeleine – Consultant

Madeleine is a solution-focused fundraiser, motivated by building effective relationships and supporting individuals, teams and organisations to achieve their potential. Over the past 20+ years she has led fundraising across arts, culture, heritage and education, working with a range of organisations from the BFI to the National Literacy Trust. She is happiest working in partnership to creatively solve complex problems and challenges. At the University of Cambridge, Madeleine worked closely with the Campaign Board to help successfully deliver their £2bn fundraising campaign. She has particular expertise in £1m+ gifts, in maximising Board relationships, and in the prospect and pipeline management which underpins successful fundraising at every level.

Katie – Consultant

A strategic, values-driven charity leader and TEDx speaker with a proven track record in youth and LGBT+ services, Katie has secured over £4 million in funding from trusts, foundations, local authorities, and NHS Sussex. With more than a decade of experience in the charity sector, she brings clarity and compassion to complex issues and has consistently led inclusive, purpose-driven teams. Now working as a consultant, Katie helps organisations drive financial growth & stability, enhance service design & impact, navigate strategic & political landscapes, build collaborative partnerships, and champion equity & inclusion.

Leah – Apprentice

Leah is a community volunteer in Nairobi, Kenya. She works with Women and adolescent girls living in the urban slums and rural areas in the category of Young Women & Adolescent Girls (YWAGs). Leah advocates on Sexual Reproductive Health and Life Skills and is passionate about working with persons with disabilities in the fields of menstrual health, poverty and education. She is currently an apprentice for The Arts Fundraisers.