Shelagh Smith, Chairman

Shelagh Smith, Chairman

Shelagh has lived and worked in Peterborough for 22 years, and recently retired as a solicitor and a Director of Greenwoods Solicitors in Peterborough. She has extensive experience in company and commercial law, and has been recognised by The Legal 500 – a guide to legal services providers – for her expertise in corporate finance, media and charity law. Shelagh has acted for both local and national charities.

Shelagh’s association with arts and its development in Peterborough includes a wide range of visual, screen and performance arts activities, and goes back 20 years. She has been a Fellow of the RSA for the past 10 years and a director of Screen East, the Government’s regional film agency, since 2001. She is also a committed community service volunteer, through her role as a director of Peterborough Sculpture Trust, and as Chair for two years of Parnwell FairShare, a Government-funded scheme to help deprived areas.

“I’m passionate about the arts and culture in its broadest sense, knowing how much this can and should be the linchpin to hold together our communities and drive their development. I believe the arts in all its forms and sport can enable people to experience greatness, giving them the confidence to have aspirations and ambition.

“You have to allow people to find a new dimension in their lives so that they can foster that bigger ambition and develop the confidence to take part. I see the Trust freeing up energies to allow the arts, sport, our heritage and libraries to be at the heart of developing a better, more creative, exciting Peterborough and a destination of choice.”