Collusion has refreshed its Advisory Board, marking a pivotal moment in Collusion’s trajectory toward 2030, supporting our aim to boost business plan delivery and build a multi-stream ecosystem that connects Silicon Fen’s tech industry and Higher Education Institutions with the UK’s creative talent. The changes include a new Chair, succeeding outgoing Chair Sherry Dobbin and two new members.
Joining the Advisory Board are Leanne Hammacott and Ruth Cousens, each bringing a wealth of experience from the technology, business, cultural, and higher education sectors.
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.
We’d also like to share our gratitude with outgoing Chair Sherry Dobbin, who stepped down earlier this year after leading Collusion through a transformative period of growth, and Advisory Board member Sha Supangan, whose insights and commitment have helped shape our journey.
“Collusion is brokering connections between technology innovation and the artist through generous terms, filling a gap in the development cycle. For ten years it has convened ART//TECH//PLAY events for practitioners and producers who walk away with valuable insights that can be put into their practice immediately. With Mark as Chair, backed by new members Leanne and Ruth, it is poised to connect East’s powerhouse HEI and tech industry for greater integration.”
Sherry Dobbin
Stepping into the role of Chair is Advisory Board member Mark Cheverton, whose leadership will guide Collusion into its next phase.
“It’s been a pleasure serving on Collusion’s advisory board under Sherry’s leadership, and I’m looking forward to building on her work as chair, alongside our two new advisory board members. Collusion exists at a moment when artists need support to navigate a fast-changing technological landscape, and when we need artists more than ever to help us understand what these technologies actually mean for society. From one of the UK’s leading tech hubs, Collusion is uniquely placed to take this on: colluding with civic, industry and academic leaders to help position Cambridge as a national leader in culture and creativity.”
Mark Cheverton.
Collusion looks forward to working with Mark, Leanne, Ruth, and our other Advisory Board members to deliver our ambitious plan: driving creative innovation and shaping the future of art and tech through meaningful collaborations across the arts, industry, academia, and civic life.