We know the arts, cultural, creative, public, private, and academic sectors
We’re a small team with lots of experience who collude with a different freelance Associates on a case-by-case basis.
Rachel Drury, Founder / Director (she/her)
Rachel is a creative producer, fundraiser and strategist. After 15 year’s working for Arts Council England at a senior level, leading on place-making and partnerships in the East of England, Rachel was curious as to why Cambridge was not playing a more central role in the art tech sector. Her six month sabbatical at the University of Cambridge Computer Lab lead to the creation of Collusion to address this latent opportunity. Rachel has an MA in Arts Management and BA in European Philosophy & Literature, both from Anglia Ruskin University.
Rich Hall, Director / Lead Creative Technologist (he/him)
Since joining Collusion in 2017, Rich has been supporting artists to explore and realise their ideas through tech. He’s a creative producer and computer scientist who leads on the technical production and delivery of our projects. Rich has a MSc in Computer Graphics & Virtual Environments and a BSc in Computer Science, both from the University of Hull.
Emily Cannell, General Manager (she/her)
Emily joined Collusion in January 2025, bringing a range of experience including from the arts, health & wellbeing, heritage and finance sectors. She leads on company management including finance, data, and policies. Emily is a multidisciplinary artist and has a MA in Fashion from Norwich University of the Arts and a BA (Hons) Fine Art from Middlesex Univeristy.
Advisory Board
Mark Cheverton, Chair (he/him)
Mark is a Cambridge-based technologist, artist, and maker who was an early participant in Collusion’s activities. With a background in software development and tech startups, he of course prefers to work with his hands and ditch the computer. As a board advisor, Mark is particularly interested in how Collusion can bridge the divide between the creative and technical industries, highlighting the value that artists can bring to innovation processes, and the potential that new technologies can bring to the world of art.
Rosalind Coleman (she/her)
Roz is a producer and writer who has produced produced site-specific, immersive work in Cathedrals, car-parks, derelict office blocks, spiegeltents, nature reserves, forests, beaches and treetops. She is co-founder of art collective KlangHaus and has worked with Norfolk & Norwich Festival, CIRCA, Yorkshire Festival and Punchdrunk. She is also an immersive coach. Roz is an experienced creative technologist and producer of art/tech work.
Neil Darwin (he/him)
Neil is an economist who has over 25 years working in economic development and place management across public, private and government sectors. He has a keen interest in Art and Technology and the interface between the two as a driver of next generation creativity. Neil has extensive knowledge and experience of working with public sector partners across East Anglia and of the role culture can play in delivering on government agendas.
Leanne Hammacott (she/her)
Leanne has over 25 years’ experience working at the intersection of the arts, higher education and emerging technologies. Beginning her career in dance and digital performance, she went on to become Associate Director of body>data>space, before joining King’s College London, where she has spent the past 12 years developing strategic partnerships, interdisciplinary collaborations and public engagement programmes across the university and beyond. Her work brings together universities, artists, technologists, businesses and communities to create new opportunities for knowledge exchange, innovation and social impact. She is particularly interested in how the arts and humanities can shape innovation and ensure emerging technologies create meaningful public and societal value.
Ruth Cousens (she/her)
Ruth is a social innovator with extensive experience in commercialisation, business development and fundraising. She co-founded and was CEO of Thiscovery, a company which uses technology to conduct large-scale research with patients and healthcare staff, and is currently Commercial Director at Form the Future CIC. She is fascinated by the way art and culture shape, and are shaped by, places and their power to draw people in and create community.