Meet The Team

Richard Hunt

Director - Email; richard.hunt@suffolk.gov.uk

Richard Hunt is the Head of Service Development for Culture, Sport and Communities with Suffolk County Council. He has a broad strategic remit covering arts and museums, sport, tourism and Suffolk’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic programme, development of cultural policy and performance, cultural partnerships, the partnership for older people and community development programmes through culture.

His local government career spans some 18 years, working operationally and strategically at both district and county level, and nationally with the Local Government Association (LGA) as a Senior Policy Manager with a focus on education, cultural and social policy. During this time he was project lead for LGA cultural advocacy programmes.

More recently, Richard initiated and led Suffolk’s Cultural Pathfinder project, embedding this learning into the developing Suffolk Local Area Agreement and the formation of Suffolk’s Culture and Sport Partnership.

Outside of the day job, Richard is currently the Chair of CLOA.

Heidi Bellamy

Improvement Manager (East of England and Suffolk) Email; heidi.bellamy@suffolk.gov.uk 

As the full time manager for Culture First Heidi has responsibility for programme development and communication of the network activities.  She is also the improvement lead for Suffolk.  Heidi has 10 years experience in Local Authority and has managed a diverse team of staff and projects across a spectrum of service areas; Tourism, Economic Development & Regeneration, Arts & Heritage, Play, Events & Marketing, Sports Development and Active Citizenship.  Heidi is experienced in strategic planning and policy development and has an MA in Cultural Leadership.

Lisa Jefferys

Improvement Manager (Essex/Southend/Thurrock) Email; Lisa.jefferys@rochford.gov.uk

Lisa is the Leisure & Cultural Services Manager for Rochford District Council in Essex.  Her role encompasses Sport, Art, Leisure Facilities, Heritage, Play, Tourism and Young People.  Lisa was previously Leisure Development Officer at Southend Borough Council with a remit to engage minority groups in physical activity, then Leisure (Client) Officer with contract management responsibility.  Lisa has significant facility management experience alongside leisure contract procurement/new builds/performance management expertise. She sits on various groups including the Essex 2012 Strategic Board: Culture & Tourism, Explore Culture, BSF and the Essex Association of Cultural Leisure Officers.

Jane Wilson

Improvement Manager (Cambs) Email; jane.wilson@adec.org.uk