• Sue Brodie

    FOUNDER

    Sue believes passionately in the power of the arts to build strong, healthy communities and to bring joy and confidence to individuals. Her hope is that The STARTS award encourages many more talented newcomers to follow their creative passions and to be able to share their work with a wider audience.

  • Lydia Fleming

    JUDGE - SPOKEN WORD & PROJECT COODINATOR

    Lydia knows from personal experience what a powerful tool creative practice can be in nurturing a more joyful existence. She is proud to champion the Arts as a viable career path as well as a rewarding hobby, particularly in communities where the Arts are less accessible.

    Lydia trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama from 2016-2019 & has worked as a professional actor ever since. Her credits include: IN FROM THE COLD - Netflix, MARY & GEORGE - Sky, CALL THE MIDWIFE - BBC, LAST SWIM - Caviar Productions (winner of the Crystal Bear for Best Feature Film Generation 14+ at Berlin Film Festival 2024). She will be appearing as ‘Hero’ in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre this summer.

  • Claire Turner

    JUDGE & OWNER MATT & PHRED’S, COMME CA ART GALLERIES

    The STARTS Award understands living in an era where stress and anxiety affect many people across all walks of life. Enriching people's lives through the creativity of art is an incredible outlet for wellbeing.

    Claire & the teams at Matt & Phred’s & Comme Ca are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the selected STARTS Award artists on a prestigious exhibition alongside a selection of professional artists we work with.

  • Jordan Vincent

    LIVE EVENT PRODUCER - MATT & PHRED’S

    Jordan has worked in all things live music at Matt & Phred’s for a few years now. He loves meeting passionate people, and crafting events with them. From a little spark of an idea, all the way through to a room filled with an immersed audience; what could be better?!

    Stoking the fires of creativity from all walks of life is key to Jordan, so being part of the Starts Award’s vision is a total pleasure. Such a worthy cause deserves as much of a spotlight as possible, and he’s thrilled to be involved.

  • Gary Scribbler

    COACH - VISUAL ART

    Gary graduated from Exeter College of Art in 1983 & has worked solidly as an illustrator & animator ever since. His credits include: Disney Movietoons, the Beatrix Potter films & Wind in the Willows. From 2007-18, Gary was the series director of Fireman Sam & continues to be the voice director. Gary has produced several children’s books & advertising campaigns (including the fox character for Old Speckled Hen) & has a long-term association with Private Eye.

    Gary’s work reached a wider audience in recent years via his ‘Doodleaday’ drawings on social media, which were a response to the sudden and untimely death of his wife, Joy in 2017. They explored the grieving process as well as looking at life as a single dad. This led to an appearance on the One Show, who commissioned him to produce a short, animated film based on the doodles and also led to the publication of his book ‘Finding Joy’ in 2021.

    He has given talks and led several workshops on the healing powers of art, and the use of drawing as a self-counselling mechanism.

  • Ian Rickson

    JUDGE - SPOKEN WORD

    Ian Rickson is an award-winning British Director whose most recent notable work includes ‘Jerusalem’ by Jez Butterworth (West End & Broadway). Ian was also the Artistic Director at the prestigious Royal Court Theatre 1998-2006.

    His latest play ‘London Tide’ opens at the National Theatre on April 10th. Directed by Ian, & with original songs by the acclaimed singer-songwriter PJ Harvey, this is a perfect example of his adventurous, imaginative, & collaborative approach to theatre & storytelling.

    In 2015 Ian ran a session with a small group of veterans to workshop an idea for a future production. Six years later the project became ‘Paradise’ at the National Theatre - Kae Tempest’s reworking of the Greek tragedy ‘Philoctetes’. In 2021 Ian invited the veterans involved in the workshops into his rehearsal room to join the cast of Paradise. Since then Ian has led acting & writing workshops for the military community, bringing a unique insight into his professional creative processes.

  • Stewart Hill

    JUDGE - VISUAL ART

    Stewart's remarkable journey began with a traumatic brain injury sustained during his military service in Afghanistan. Refusing to be defined by adversity, he turned his experience into a testament to resilience and leadership. Stewart's journey from Army officer to acclaimed artist and advocate for military charities is a testament to his unwavering spirit.

    Stewart has won prizes at the Army Art Society and Armed Forces Art Society annual exhibitions and has shown his work in London, Sheffield and Gloucester. Notable sitters for portraits include Piers Morgan, Nick Knowles, Gareth Malone and Ray Winstone. He also gifts portraits of service personnel killed in action in Afghanistan for their next of kin.

    Featured in prestigious publications and media outlets, his story resonates with audiences nationwide. As a judge for this art competition, Stewart brings a unique perspective shaped by his transformative journey and dedication to charitable causes.

  • Tom Crowley

    JUDGE & COACH - SPOKEN WORD

    Tom is a writer, actor & comedian, best known for writing the stage adaptation of Rocky Horror sequel SHOCK TREATMENT & performing in TV drama THE ROYALS. He appears regularly in podcasts WOODEN OVERCOATS, VICTORIOCITY, THE BEEF & DAIRY NETWORK PODCAST. He has also performed in audio productions for BBC Radio 4, Audible, Fremantle Media & Somethin’ Else. He has written for Cartoon Network Studios Europe, BBC Radio 4Extra, BBC Radio Wales, Wooden Overcoats, Six to Start & Bafflegab Productions.

    As an entertainment professional, Tom knows how many barriers there are for people trying to access creative opportunities. That’s why Tom signed up to work on The STARTS Award - to work alongside a team of amazing people to break down those barriers.

  • Sara Howarth

    VETERAN SUPPORT LIAISON - SPOKEN WORD

    Sara is a medically retired RAF Officer who served for 18 years until 2017. In 2014, Sara experienced a career ending & life changing brain injury which resulted in numerous medical issues including neuro fatigue, uncontrollable epilepsy meaning daily seizures, & aphasia which affects her speech & makes it harder to communicate.

    During a British Legion sculpture course, she realised that art can be a way for her to communicate, and since then it has given Sara a confidence that she doesn’t think she would have had if she had to rely on her mouth! Sara has also done a comedy course & now has the confidence to do stand-up & allegedly be funny!

    Sara is undertaking a BA (Hons) Art History & Visual Cultures degree, having been selected for an Open University disabled veteran’s scholarship.

  • Richie Cave

    VETERAN SUPPORT LIAISON - VISUAL ART

    Richard served in the British Army within the Royal Logistic Corps for 23 years until being medically discharged from the military. During his service, he was an award-winning Military Photographer. He taught himself to draw and paint and (in secret) to write poetry and plays in an environment where you were rewarded for sport and arts was nerdy.

    After leaving, Richie embraced the arts as a medium, the benefit of which gave him therapy and a way to forget about the physical pain and mental trauma. Each day is a struggle, but creativity helps keep him active, and he uses it as a platform to paint and draw; suddenly, the day is better, and he can freely express himself.

    Becoming a winner of The STARTS Award 2023 was a turning point for him, as it meant he was no longer just a veteran but an artist in his own right. He also met others at different stages of their creative pathway. He found a new family full of hope and embraced challenges daily.