As Programme Leader, Creative Lancashire and strategic lead for Creative Industries at Lancashire County Council, Ed Matthews-Gentle has over twenty years’ experience working with and developing creative organisations.

Ed’s current collaborations include the British Textile Biennial, developing the Lancashire 2025 bid to host UK City of Culture and overseeing the development of the new Lancashire Cultural Investment Strategy. More recently Ed was invited by Crafts Council to join the Craft UK – Anti-Racism Working Group.

Ed also curates the National Festival of Making Conference and talks programme.

“I have a long-term view to conceive and develop exciting and creative concepts that frequently combine my interests in style, design and the arts – creating a space to share knowledge, ideas and expertise.”