Delivery team Facilitators Board of trustees Champions

  • Gareth Binns Chief Executive

    Gareth brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about developing learning environments, programmes and resources. A Fellow of the RSA, he was formerly Head of Education and Interpretation at the National Trust, Director of Learning at Nesta, Keeper of Learning and Information at the British Museum, and CEO of the Sorrell Foundation. As well as other trustee roles, Gareth is a governor at an academy for 11-18 year olds.

  • James Brown Imagination Lab Events and Facilities Manager

    James has worked with SEND children and their families across a variety of initiatives and organisations for several years. He has a background working with children with additional needs through experiential therapies and sensory play. His expertise helps the iOi team ensure that SEND children are able to have their strengths recognised and nurtured. Alongside his work with children and families, James makes excellent use of a background in property development to meticulously manage events and ensure our tech is tip top.

  • Emma Callow Imagination Lab Creative Lead (part-time)

    Emma has worked extensively with under-privileged children and young people, many with special needs, using the arts, creativity and therapeutic communication to promote well-being and personal development. She has helped deliver Pop Up Parks events, coaches individuals and groups, and has won an innovation award for her work with students at Kingston College.

  • Anna Chripko Development Assistant

    After moving to London from Hungary in 2012, Anna began her career in the arts working across the West End whilst studying for her Master’s Degree in Arts Policy and Management. Prior to joining the iOi she worked as a Senior and Events Assistant at the Donmar Warehouse, where her passion for the importance of creative learning and participation, as well as her interest in furthering her career in fundraising, deepened.

  • Stephanie Dittmer Campaign Director

    Stephanie has worked across the arts in London since she arrived from the US in 2007, and joins the iOi after almost a decade in the leadership team at the Donmar Warehouse. Bringing with her a passion for the power of philanthropy coupled with a deep and abiding belief in the value of creativity and collaboration in sustaining a healthy society, she is thrilled to be with the iOi as it looks to its exciting future. In her spare time, Stephanie is a musician, a mum, and serves on the Boards of AKT and Company Wayne McGregor.

  • Tom Doust Director of Experience and Learning

    Tom Doust has spent 15 years dedicating his career to public engagement and participation programmes across the education, cultural and design sectors. He is founder of Pop up Parks, was a 2013 Clore Social Fellow with Nesta and is co-founder of the social action charity Envision.

  • Damian Griffiths Director of Finance and Enterprise (part-time)

    Since qualifying as a Chartered Accountant at the London office of EY, Damian spent over 10 years as a director of innovation firm, New Solutions. Following this, he engaged with a number of growing businesses in the creative and consulting sectors, taking a particular interest in organisations with a purpose beyond profit.

  • Jess Joyson Imagination Lab Manager

    Joining us from Teach First, Jess has ample experience in child and adult education. Prior to Teach First, Jess was a secondary school teacher and a learning assistant in a cultural organisation. She champions educational equality both in and out of the classroom, and is currently studying for her Masters in Leadership in Education at UCL Institute of Education.

  • Isabel Palmstierna Team Operations Manager

    Originally from Sweden, Isabel moved to the UK in 2011 to begin her studies in English Literature and History at the University of Edinburgh and later completed a Masters in Theatre Text and Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She has worked extensively within the arts, contributing to a range of productions throughout her career in both an artistic and events management capacity. She brings excellent organisational and communication skills as well as a strong belief in the importance of imagination, creativity and play.