New members to join our Board of Trustees

Three new members are set to join Severn Arts board of trustees later this month. Neil Phillips, Val Yates and Georgia Wells have been selected to join the board adding their own unique areas of expertise. We would like to welcome them on board and introduce you to them - so without further adieu... 

Meet our new Trustees...

Neil Phillips

Neil Phillips is a Worcestershire native who now lives in Lincolnshire. He studied Performing Arts at Kidderminster college before moving to London and becoming a professional rock musician; writing, recording and touring all over the world for over 10 years. He has written several songs that appear in films and computer games.

In 2005 he moved back to Worcestershire and retrained as a youth worker, going on to work in various roles supporting disadvantaged young people including those at risk of offending and those in the criminal justice system before managing the Worcestershire County Council young carers support service.

Neil is now a Programme Manager for the national music charity Awards for Young Musicians. He oversees a programme called Furthering Talent which provides holistic support for talented young musicians from low-income families. Severn Arts are one of 10 Music Education Hub partners from across England to make up the Furthering Talent family.

Phillips said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the board of Trustees at Severn Arts. This will be my first role as a Trustee but is something I’ve been interested in doing for a while now. Being a Worcestershire lad and having links with Severn Arts already via my day job as Programme Manager for Awards for Young Musicians, this felt like an absolutely perfect match and an ideal opportunity for me to give something back to my home county’s thriving arts scene. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in.”

Val Yates

Val grew up in Merseyside. She studied Biochemistry at the University of Liverpool and then pursued a career in the voluntary sector, first being Manager of Student Community Action, running a range of volunteering projects across the city.  For the last 25 years Val has lived in Malvern.  She has worked at the University of Worcester and is now the Director of Access and Inclusion. Val is an experienced trustee, having been a member on several boards and chair of the board of trustees at both Summitt House Support – an HIV and AIDS Support Charity and Worcester Community Trust. 

On a personal level Val has a love for the arts, is an avid theatre goer and has done a few stints behind the scenes for some local Amateur Dramatic groups.  Val has two sons and a passion for the outdoors, particularly wild swimming and running.

Yates said: “As an experienced trustee I wanted to put my experience and time into a dynamic and forward thinking organisation that can bring arts, music and culture to life.”

Georgia Wells

Georgia is a Learning and Engagement Officer at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, working to deliver music education programmes across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. At 10, she started learning violin and spent her teenage years in orchestras and choirs in the Black Country. As a result, she is deeply passionate about music education and the arts and ensuring that the arts are accessible and inclusive. Georgia now plays violin with Halesowen Orchestra.   

Wells said: "I'm so pleased to be back involved with the brilliant work at Severn Arts! I'm extremely passionate about music education and the arts, and I look forward to being at the heart of this organisation supporting their work."

You can read about all of our Trustees on our Trustee FAQ page.