Philip Deverell is a highly experienced cultural consultant with an in-depth knowledge of the arts funding system in the UK and internationally, built over more than 20 years within arts councils and arts organisations. He specialises in strategic planning; developing key diversity and inclusion programmes; grant management; directing multiple and complex business processes; service design and organisational change; and working directly with Government.
For six years Philip was Director of Strategy for Creative Scotland, the body accountable for development and funding of the Arts, Screen, & Creative Industries in Scotland. Here he led an organisational change programme including an in-depth review of Creative Scotland’s overall approach to funding and investment and directed a 10-year strategic organisational plan and industry specific strategies. He also led work delivering Creative Scotland’s International Framework and Place and Communities strategies. Over an eight year career at Arts Council England Philip was Head, then Director, of the Grants for the Arts funding scheme, a Touring Officer leading funding for large-scale lyric theatre touring and Project Manager. He was National Project Manager for the Decibel programme, a strategic national initiative to support and invest in artists and organisations from diverse cultural backgrounds. Prior to ACE he was General Manager of NITRO a national touring music-theatre company focused on artists from the African diaspora.
Philip studied for an MA in Arts, Museum & Heritage Management as well as professional coaching, negotiation and leadership qualifications. He is a Trustee of Talawa Theatre Company.
As an independent FEI adviser he focuses on the cultural and creative sectors specialising in cultural policy, strategic planning, business and organisational development, and equalities, diversity and inclusion. He works with government, local authorities, development agencies, and creative organisations to maximise the creative, social and economic impact of cultural activity. He is currently advising Arts Council Ireland on their funding programmes.