People behind Creative Edinburgh

Ola oversees Creative Edinburgh’s strategic development, creative programmes and advocacy. She has over two decades of experience in various senior roles across the creative sector including at National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh International Book Festival and Edinburgh International Festival. She is a passionate and results-focussed cultural leader with an interest in diversity of thinking, civic debate, and sustainability.

Inga looks after our membership and mentoring programme. Inga has a MA in Social Sciences, her research investigates social groups affected by marginalisation, exclusion and powerlessness. As a result of working in the arts industry and performing as a Spoken Word Artist, she has established a significant network in Scotland and is extremely passionate in widening participation for all creatives, artists and entrepreneurs living in Edinburgh and beyond.

Vicky is the Programme Manager at Creative Edinburgh, bringing over a decade of experience in digital marketing and brand strategy. Throughout her career, she has worked with renowned creative organisations across the globe, including World of WearableArt in New Zealand. Driven by a passion for the arts, Vicky is dedicated to empowering and supporting artists and creatives.

Mally joins the Creative Edinburgh team as Creative Talent Lead, supporting the development of Edinburgh’s Creative Industries: Pathways to Careers programme. A singer-songwriter, facilitator, and creative organiser, Mally's work spans education, wellbeing, and community-led programming. She’s spent the past decade designing projects that centre care, connection, and inclusion - from artist-first events to student mentorship and wellbeing initiatives. Her recently completed PhD at the University of Edinburgh explored the im/possibility of compassion within the modern university and argued for care as a political and relational practice.

Eva is an early-career visual artist and illustrator working across multiple disciplines. She previously worked as a community fundraiser and as an activity coordinator for the Peanut Press community café.  She is currently working towards an MA at Queen Margaret University in Applied Arts and Social Practice. Eva is passionate about building creative communities, making creative networks accessible to all, and collaborative making.

Lucie is an experienced event and programming manager with over seven years of delivering large-scale, high-volume programmes across the UK, Australia and Europe. Holding a Master of Arts in Cultural Management from the University of Melbourne, she has worked with a range of non-profit cultural organisations, including Alliance Française Melbourne and the French Film Festival UK, as well as in the community and voluntary sector with Volunteer Ireland. She is passionate about creating engaging programmes that bring people together and build creative, supportive communities.

Eilidh joins Creative Edinburgh as Marketing + Communications Lead, bringing a rich background in creative marketing and content production. With a 1st Class degree in Marketing with Digital Media, and over a decade of experience spanning in-house roles and freelance work, she has built brands from concept to delivery across social media, print, photography, videography and beyond. Her freelance career has seen her collaborate with companies across the UK and internationally. A creative at heart, Eilidh is passionate about authentic storytelling and using the power of marketing to connect and champion creative communities.

Marie Christie is currently Head of Development for Events at VisitScotland. She has more than 25 years of experience delivering and supporting festivals and events and raising the profile of Scotland as a cultural destination. Having worked across the public, private and third sectors she has run high profile campaigns, produced major events and led key national initiatives.

Cristina Zani is an Italian born artist with a background in marketing and communication. She completed an MFA in Jewellery at Edinburgh College of Art in June 2012 and after living and working in different countries, she established her workshop at Coburg House Studios, in the vibrant area of Leith, Edinburgh. Prior to that she worked in corporate communication for the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, in internal communication for Direct Line Spain and in marketing for The National Trust.

Amy Kelly is a creative marketing leader, currently working in the B2B tech space as the EMEA Marketing Director at UserTesting, the leading Human Insight Platform. Amy, a graduate of Glasgow University, is also CIM certified and has over 10 years of global experience across both agency and brand and has previously held marketing roles at ITV, YouTube and Facebook.

Brian is a game/narrative designer, writer, business leader, serial entrepreneur and university lecturer, who focuses on the transformative power of interactive media within the creative industries.

Michaela Turner has worked at supporting SME and start-ups in Edinburgh and the region for over the past 9 years. She currently leads on the industry engagement for the Creative Informatics program where she has been working to grow, develop and support the creative start up ecosystem. Prior to working in Creative Informatics, she has worked in knowledge exchange at the University of Edinburgh advising and supporting SME engagement.

Jessica Armstrong is a business development and project manager with a disposition for organisation, teamwork, efficiency and a drive to achieve goals. Her background is in marketing communications and operational management; but really, she is a project manager with a love for understanding process and a passion for all things inspired. Talk to her about: building and developing your networks, reaching new audiences and finding sponsorship.

Nicki Lundy is a media relations, corporate communications and brand building professional who has worked as a journalist and magazine editor too. Currently freelance, we welcomed Nicki to our Board in 2018. Talk to Nicki about all things relating to PR, communications strategy, brand and adapting to change.

Charlie has worked at Whitespace, an Edinburgh based creative agency working across digital, content, brand, experiential and campaigns since 2005, working his way up from Junior Designer to Creative Director as the company has grown over the years. A D&AD judge in 2016, Charlie is a creative thinker and designer delivering world-class courses throughout Scotland to help mentor young creatives.

Bruce is a corporate partner and chair of Anderson Strathern. His clients range for start up’s to global businesses - many in the creative sector.