One of the UK’s leading digital industry consultants, Naomi Timperley, has been appointed as the Interim Chair of FutureEverything, a Manchester-based non-profit that has sat at the intersection of technology, art and culture since 1995.
Naomi replaces Vikas Shah MBE, who has been Chair since May, 2015.
Naomi Timperley says, “FutureEverything's reputation as a global arts and digital organisation continues. We are at the forefront of digital culture - solving problems by combining art, tech and digital. Being the new Interim Chair is a huge honour and I am excited to be working with such an incredible female-led team.”
Vikas Shah noted,
"Naomi brings extraordinary market knowledge, network and a depth of experience that will help drive FutureEverything to the next level. She’s been an engaged and active Board Member for some time, and we look forward to seeing her shine as our Interim Chair."
Naomi leads a board including FutureEverything Founder Drew Hemment, David Edmundson-Bird (MMU), Laura Sillars (MoMa Middlesbrough), Viv Parry (Finance Specialist), Ismail Erturk (Arts/Finance Specialist), Lady Sue Grantchester (Lawyer), Emma Sheldon (Export Specialist) and Vikas Shah MBE, who remains on the board
FutureEverything has worked on innovative cultural projects worldwide, ranging from festivals to public-realm art installations. The organisation is pioneering work around the future of technology and society, giving a platform to many of the UK’s most prominent new digital artists. FutureEverything's recent work includes a major international co-commission for Manchester International Festival, a collaboration with Imperial War Museum North, and commissions for the Great Exhibition of the North, SXSW and, notably in the last few years, the Government of Singapore.
Irini Papadimitriou (Creative Director, FutureEverything) says,
“We're very excited for Naomi to take the role of Interim Chair. We've been working with her for some time now and know she will bring a high level of energy, expertise and enthusiasm to the role. We have been extremely lucky to have had Vikas as our Chair for the last four years. His support has been invaluable in helping steer FutureEverything through a period of change and reorganisation, and we are excited about what the future holds."
FutureEverything has recently gone through a significant period of change and transformation. Naomi and the Board decided to make the role interim for one year to allow for a process of change management through the organisation, before solidifying the board and business plan in 2020.