OUR VISION
To be a world leading centre of excellence for creative learning and vocational training.
Our PURPOSE
Enabling and empowering the creatives of the future to secure sustained work.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2023-2026
Underpinned by our purpose, vision and values, our Strategic Plan sets out what we are, and how we are going to achieve our aims and objectives.
We have six strategic themes which apply to every part of the institution and define our major strategic focus to pursue and achieve our purpose and vision.
Our themes are:
To be recognised as a world leading centre of excellence for creative learning and vocational training within the performing arts and creative industries
Create and develop a culture and environment for equality and inclusion at all levels throughout the institution
Achieve and maintain financial, environmental, systemic, technological and campus sustainability
As a small specialist provider we will empower and enhance the student, staff, and alumni experience within the LIPA Learning Group to meet the evolving demands and requirements of the higher education sector and the creative industries
Employability will be embedded into the curriculum and co-curricular activities to develop students for future employment opportunities and career progression
Create an environment for inspiring creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship
LIPA Council
Our Council directors are:
- Isabel Begg (Vice Chair)
- James Dow
- Louise Ellman
- Michelle Emmerson
- Victoria Fea
- David Fletcher
- Simon Fowler
- Geoff Goodwin (Chair)
- Ashley Herman
- Joe Johnson
- Juliet Johnson
- Sean McNamara (CEO)
- Stella Okafor-Ross
- David Owen
- Zoe Radnor
- Claire Workman
- Student Voice President
The Council is responsible for setting the strategy of the organisation, policy issues and monitoring management performance. It meets a minimum of 3 times a year.
Meet The
Staff
Sean McNamara
Principal/CEO & Council Director
Ｄavid Fletcher
COO & Council Director
Stella Okafor-Ross
Council Director (Staff Rep)
Sally Britton
Student Voice President (Student Rep)
Geoff Goodwin
Chair of Council
Isabel Begg
Vice Chair of Council
Michelle Emmerson
Council Director
Victoria Fea
Council Director
Simon Fowler
Council Director
Ashley Herman
Council Director
Joe Johnson
Council Director
Juliet Johnson
Council Director
David Owen
Council Director
Zoe Radnor
Council Director
Claire Workman
Council Director
Sean McNamara
Principal/CEO & Council Director
Professor Sean McNamara became Principal and CEO of LIPA in 2021, leading a major curriculum revalidation, the 2023-26 Strategic Plan, and LIPA’s pursuit of New Degree Awarding Powers. Previously, he was Head of Guildford School of Acting, holding various leadership roles since 2010. He also chairs The Federation of Drama Schools, the LIPA Multi Academy Trust, and holds key positions in several arts education organizations.
Ｄavid Fletcher
COO & Council Director
David Fletcher is Chief Operation Officer at LIPA and is responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of LIPA’s finance, HR, estates, IT, technical and productions teams. David is a qualified accountant and, before joining LIPA, worked on audit, assurance and consultancy assignments for global professional services firms BDO and RSM. His client portfolio was predominantly in the education sector, but he also worked with a variety of other organisations to improve operational efficiency.
Stella Okafor-Ross
Council Director (Staff Rep)
Stella Okafor-Ross is Head of Productions at LIPA and is the staff representative on Council
Sally Britton
Student Voice President (Student Rep)
Sally Britton is an actor, creative and LIPA alum. She is LIPA's Student Voice President.
Geoff Goodwin
Chair of Council
Geoffrey Goodwin is a C-suite executive specializing in strategic growth, innovation, and commercial success in media and creative industries. He has held leadership roles at the BBC, Verizon Media, and Outernet London, driving revenue growth, launching award-winning content, and pioneering next-generation media initiatives. Passionate about bridging traditional and emerging media, he also serves as Chair of LIPA, fostering the next generation of creative performers and leaders.
Isabel Begg
Vice Chair of Council
Isabel Begg is a Senior Business Executive in film, TV, music and radio. She is Vice Chair of the LIPA Council and also is Chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee.
Michelle Emmerson
Council Director
Michelle Emmerson is a CEO, Board Director, Management Consultant and HR professional with experience across E-commerce, Education, Mobile Tech, Retail, Luxury, TV and Music industries. In addition to being a Council Director, she sits on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Victoria Fea
Council Director
Victoria Fea has worked in television drama for more than 30 years. She is currently an Executive Producer at independent production company Snowed-In Productions. Before that, she was a senior commissioner at ITV for 8 years, commissioning series like The Durrells, Unforgotten and Victoria. Prior to ITV, she was an executive producer, producer and script editor in-house at the BBC and in the independent sector.
Simon Fowler
Council Director
Simon Fowler is a Council Director of LIPA, Chair of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, and a former senior executive at the John Lewis Partnership, where he held leadership roles including Group Director of Communications. Now pursuing a portfolio career, he is Chairman of Aquascot, Chair of ProcurePlus, an independent trustee at Tullis Russell, and co-founder of Eshe Honey, a beekeeping and artisan honey business. Born in Thailand and having lived across Africa and the UK, he now resides in North Liverpool with his husband and son, with interests in music, theatre, travelling, gardening, antiques and, of course, beekeeping!
Ashley Herman
Council Director
Ashley Herman is one of the UK's top theatre producers. He is director of Playing Field (Theatre) Ltd., which was set up in 2019 and is involved in the investment, development and production of West End, touring and Broadway productions.
Joe Johnson
Council Director
Joe Johnson is a Council Director and also sits on the Audit Committee.
Juliet Johnson
Council Director
Juliet Johnson is a General Counsel with extensive broad senior legal experience. She has worked for high-profile organisations and on high-profile matters across a number of sectors, including Financial Services, Healthcare, Tech, Energy and Retail.
David Owen
Council Director
David Owen has spent his whole professional career working in Liverpool. His career started in Investment Management in Liverpool with Rensburg & Co where he trained as an equity and bond analyst before moving to portfolio management responsibilities for HNW private clients, pension funds and charities. He now is a Senior Investment Director in the Liverpool office of Rathbones and a Chartered Fellow of the Securities Institute. David served on the board of Edge Hill University for several years. A passionate ambassador for Liverpool, David is currently the chair of Professional Liverpool. David is married with three adult children, is interested in most sports having played rugby league in his youth and also plays guitar in a band in his spare time!
Zoe Radnor
Council Director
Professor Zoe Radnor is the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University. Previous to this she held roles as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at The University of Law, and Vice-President for Strategy and Planning at City, University of London. Zoe’s research interest is performance/ process improvement and service management within public sector organisations. She has led research projects for Government and healthcare organisations, evaluating the use of ‘lean’ and associated techniques. In 2024 Zoe was named in the 2024 Stanford/Elsevier top 2% Scientists in the World.
Claire Workman
Council Director
Claire Workman serves as a Vice Chair on LIPA Council, and also is the Chair of the Audit Committee.
Committees
The Council has set up the following Committees, each chaired by a Council Director.
- Academic Board
- Audit Committee
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
- Finance Committee
- Nominations and Governance Committee
- Remuneration Committee
Charitable Status
LIPA is a non-exempt charity registered under the Charities Act 2010. Its Principal Regulator is the Charities Commission.
Equality of Opportunity
LIPA has policies and development programmes in place to promote equality of opportunity.
Public Interest Disclosure
LIPA has in place appropriate procedures for staff to raise matters of legitimate concern in the public interest as required by law.
If you have any queries or wish to find out more about LIPA, please write to:
The Company Secretary
The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
Mount Street
Liverpool
L1 9HF
UK