The North Committee has appointed three impressive new committee members who offer strong regional awareness and expertise both in the heritage sector and in promoting diversity and inclusion.

“We want our decision-making to be as diverse and inclusive as the communities we work with.”

David Renwick, Director for the North of England at The Fund

Catherine Mugonyi, Anita Wan and Zulfiqar Ahmed were chosen for their wide range of local knowledge and experience. Along with the existing nine members, they will be responsible for making decisions on regional applications from £100,000 to £5million.

Chair of the North Committee, Tiffany Hunt said: “We are delighted to welcome these three new members to the committee. They bring a wealth of experience and cultural awareness to what is already a very strong team of decision makers.”

Meet the new members

Catherine Mugonyi

Catherine is a Director and founder of Aunty Social, a voluntary arts organisation that provides accessible, participatory arts activities on Lancashire’s Fylde Coast. As programmer of the Winter Gardens Film Festival, Catherine co-produces film and heritage events with Blackpool-residents. She is also Creative Programmer at The Harris, a museum, library and art gallery in the heart of Preston.

Catherine said: “I love exploring ways to welcome, inspire and challenge visitors and local communities. I am delighted to join the committee and to play a role in strengthening engagement between marginalised communities, local history and the arts.”

Catherine will join the committee from 1 April 2021.

Anita Wan

Anita has worked in the cultural sector in the North East for nearly 20 years within heritage, architecture, arts and funding organisations. She is Chair of the Angelou Centre, a Black-led specialist women’s organisation that addresses the political, economic and social inequalities for Black and minoritised women and children.

Anita plans on bringing her lived experience to the role: “As a child of first generation immigrants from Hong Kong, the themes of identity and belonging continue to be important drivers for me. I am passionate about this opportunity to amplify the voices of marginalised communities and make a difference to people’s lives.”

Anita will join the committee from the 1 October 2021.

Zulfiqar Ahmed

Zulfiqar has a 25-year career in the design, development and implementation of social impact initiatives across the UK and internationally. He is currently Director at The Leap, the Arts Council-funded Creative People and Places programme for Bradford District.

Zulfiqar, who is looking forward to working with the committee said: “It is a real honour to have the opportunity to use my social innovation expertise to enhance the cause of greater cultural engagement and participation.”

Zulfiqar will join the committee from the 1 October 2021.

Diversifying the North

Director for the North, David Renwick said: “We want our decision-making to be as diverse and inclusive as the communities we work with and so in recruiting new committee members, we proactively reached out to organisations working in a more diverse heritage space.”

Find out more about our North Committee Members or discover more news and stories from the North of England.