Meet CRAFT’s founding team.
CRAFT BRINGS OVER 300 years of combined comedy industry experience
CRAFT has been created by a large team of passionate thinkers working with committed industry professionals and comedy talent.
Our founding team brings together well-known comedy and political patrons, alongside trustees and advisors spanning comedy, business, healthcare, education, technology, policy, and more.
Some of us are hilarious; others not ;). We are all comedy fans with the skills and expertise to help the industry. We believe our support will onwards help communities and audiences to make the world a happier place.
CRAFT’s FOUNDING PATRONS
Matt Forde
Comedy Patron
Comedian • Broadcaster • Former political adviser • Host, The Political Party
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Matt Forde is one of Britain's leading political comedians — a stand-up, impressionist, writer and broadcaster described by The Sunday Times as "our foremost satirical stand-up". A former political adviser turned comedian, he is the creator and host of The Political Party, the live podcast that transferred to the West End's Duchess Theatre after more than 70 sold-out shows in Westminster — over 400 episodes and 9 million downloads of candid conversation with the people who run the country, from Tony Blair and Nicola Sturgeon to the current Prime Minister. Ahead of the 2024 general election, he attempted to interview a candidate from all 650 constituencies before polling day.
Matt was a lead writer and voice on the revived Spitting Image — playing Boris Johnson, Keir Starmer and Donald Trump across a series viewed more than 200 million times worldwide — and co-created its West End stage show, Idiots Assemble, with Al Murray. His broadcast credits include four series of Unspun with Matt Forde, Have I Got News For You, Mock the Week, Question Time and the Royal Variety Performance; he presents Absolute Radio's Rock 'n' Roll Football Show and co-hosts the award-winning British Scandal.
Diagnosed with cancer in 2023 and back on stage within a year, Matt has just completed Defying Calamity, the biggest tour of his career, fundraising for the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital along the way. As a CRAFT Patron, he champions the clubs and circuits where British comedy is made — and comedy's seat at the table of national life.
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"I've spent my life in both worlds — first as a Labour adviser, now as a comedian — and I've interviewed Andy on stage more than once, most recently just weeks before he walked into Number 10. So I know he gets what live rooms mean to people. Comedy clubs are where I learned my trade and where the next generation is learning theirs right now, in venues paying the same bills as the pub next door with none of the same support. Prime Minister: you've backed the pubs and the music venues. Back the comedy clubs too — and I promise to keep my impression of you affectionate."
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Tom Walker
Comedy Patron
Comedian • Actor • Writer • Producer • Creator of Fictitious Character Jonathan Pie
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Tom Walker is an actor, comedian, and writer, best known for creating and performing the critically acclaimed viral sensation Jonathan Pie. Blending theatrical flair with biting political satire, Walker’s portrayal of the furious news reporter has captivated millions globally, both online and on stage. His live shows deliver a masterclass in character comedy—intelligent, relentless, and uncomfortably funny.
“Brilliant, brave, raw and analytical without forgetting to be funny.” – Ricky Gervais
“Complex and challenging. Moving and hilarious.” – David Baddiel
“Smarter, sharper, angrier and funnier.” – The Times
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Comedy, especially stand-up comedy can be a lonely existence. There is very little support, mentorship and almost zero funding. There are also a few sharks out there making money whilst asking comedians to do gigs for next to no money at all.
Comedy is an important, vital part of our culture and arts scene. I am amazed that comedy has no formal recognition and is not considered an artform. This means there is little help for individual artists but more importantly comedy venues, which are often the lifeblood of a thriving arts scene. And yet so many venues are under threat as they are not considered arts venues. This is something that needs to change. To have CRAFT specifically address these and other issues facing the industry will be a boon to many in comedy.
Over the last year I have been involved with a comedy community health project. Just one of the many ways that comedy can improve lives. It’s good for comedy talent— and it’s good for the wider public’s wellbeing. It’s also good for the public purse, where creative health and social prescribing schemes can deliver up to £8.56 for every £1 invested. This is exactly the sort of thing that CRAFT is here to support.
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Dame Caroline Dinenage
Political Patron
Conservative MP for Gosport • Chair Culture, Media & Sport Committee • Co-Chair Creative Health APPG
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Dame Caroline Dinenage is the Conservative MP for Gosport and Chair of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee. She is also Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Creative Health, giving her a significant role in shaping national conversations around culture, media, public wellbeing, and the value of the creative industries.
For CRAFT, her relevance sits at the intersection of cultural policy and creative health. Her leadership across both the CMS Committee and the Creative Health APPG places her close to the policy areas that matter most to comedy’s future: recognition, investment, public value, and the role of culture in supporting healthier communities.
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“The UK’s creative industries are a national asset, including the comedy industry. CRAFT is a timely initiative that offers institutions and policymakers a practical partner on standards, evidence, and sustainable investment, with a clear mechanism for reinvestment through the Comedy Levy. I welcome CRAFT’s focus on professionalisation, creator protection and long-term resilience for comedy across the ecosystem.”
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Samantha Niblett MP
Political Patron
Labour MP for South Derbyshire • Chair DEI in STEM APPG • Member Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
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Samantha Niblett is the Labour Member of Parliament for South Derbyshire, and the founder of Labour: Women in Tech, a political not-for-profit campaigning for systemic change in gender equity by elevating women in STEM. Now a leading voice on gender equity and Tech in the House of Commons, Samantha combines 20+ years of experience in the data and technology sector with a personal passion for bringing attention to the voices of women and young people to unite the industry behind campaigns centering on economic growth, diversity and emerging technologies. Her work to smash barriers for women in STEM, tech and adjacent sectors, spans unions, industry, education and government, and her ongoing work in the House of Commons bringing together Parliamentarians will be crucial to achieving economic growth under the new Government.
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“Comedy is not a niche, it's a serious economic engine—driving billions across ticket sales, streaming revenues and tourism, and supporting thousands of small, tech-enabled creative businesses across the UK. It’s also a major part of our culture and how communities stay connected. CRAFT gives the sector a clear, accountable partner that government and institutions can work with to strengthen opportunity, improve working conditions, and direct investment where it has the greatest impact—through mechanisms like the Comedy Levy and the National Membership Registry I’m proud to support CRAFT at launch and to back its mission to professionalise, protect, and promote this vital industry—ensuring comedy has a seat at the table in the decisions that shape our cultural, digital, and economic future.”
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Dr Simon Opher MP MBE
Political Patron
Labour MP for Gloucestershire • Chair Creative Health APPG and Beyond Pills APPG • GP Doctor
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Dr. Simon Opher has dedicated over 30 years to serving as a local GP and is currently the Labour MP for Stroud. A pioneer in social prescribing, he developed the groundbreaking Artlift programme, which uses creative arts to improve mental health and wellbeing. As a GP, Dr. Opher has witnessed how income disparities deeply affect people's lives. In Stroud, the wealthiest residents live, on average, over nine years longer than the poorest. He believes the solution to this inequality isn't solely medical—it’s political. Driven by this conviction, he stood for Parliament and was elected as the MP for Stroud in July 2024. He now serves as Chair of the Health APPG.
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“CRAFT is the kind of sector infrastructure comedy has lacked for too long. It provides a practical partner that governments and institutions can work with on standards, evidence, and sustainable investment, including reinvestment mechanisms such as the Comedy Levy. Laughter brings people together, cuts through division, and has measurable health benefits that can reduce pressure on the NHS. As a GP and Chair of the Health APPG, I see first-hand how creativity and connection can transform outcomes for people who are lonely, anxious, or managing long-term conditions. Comedy has a unique role to play—improving mental health, tackling isolation, and giving people a safe way to process difficult experiences. I welcome CRAFT’s launch and strongly support its mission to professionalise, protect, and promote this vital industry—ensuring comedy has a seat at the table in shaping our cultural future and its growing role in creative healthcare.”
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CRAFT’s FOUNDING CHARITY BOARD
CRAFT’s founding charity trustees expertise spans comedy, media, technology, and healthcare. We are the interim board, ahead of a selective process to appoint seven trustees, over a three year term. Our board will always ensure at least one young adult (21-29) is has input where decisions are made, so that grassroots talent and businesses is represented. Please contact us if you’re interested in a board position.
Lu Jackson
Founder; Founding Chair
Founder & CEO of Craic and Craic Health • Ex-Co-Founder VidZone/ Founding Team & Strategist Litica
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Lu is the Founder and Chair of CRAFT and on a mission to enable the world to laugh more by empowering the people, businesses, and systems behind it.
For four years, Lu has been working directly with government to drive systemic change for the comedy industry. She is proud to launch CRAFT for the comedy industry, bringing together the best minds, hearts, and experienced people to help the sector thrive and sustain in an AI accelerated era.
Lu is the Founder of Craic®, the global operating system for the comedy industry, and Craic Health, pioneering Comedy-on-Prescription® (CoP) as a measurable, scalable prevention-first model for healthcare systems. She builds the infrastructure the comedy industry has never had, so it can do its best work at scale.
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“From court jesters to Shakespeare, to Fleabag and beyond, Britain has always been a world leader in comedy. The sector generates billions in revenue and millions in taxes annually, but, for decades, reinvestment has not been proportional to the value it creates. This systemic failure does not serve the public interest and is no longer sustainable for the sector, in an AI-accelerated world. In every crisis, comedy shows up. When comedy is in crisis, who shows up for it? That’s why CRAFT has launched—and why we’re demanding more for an industry that has been treated as “just entertainment” for too long. We’re demanding more for the British public and audiences too—laughter helps us connect and improves wellbeing in an increasingly disconnected and chaotic society.
There is huge upside to supporting comedy—economically, socially, culturally, and in healthcare. But upside doesn’t realise itself without policy and systems. We need policy that makes change possible, and policy that enables research and development to be tracked properly. That’s why I’ve spent over four years following the trail: meeting the comedy industry, local and national leaders, institutions, and policymakers, and repeatedly raising the gaps I could see. When I describe the problems facing comedy—from small grassroots realities to large systemic failures—people in and out of the sector are genuinely surprised. The biggest names and brands create the illusion that the whole sector is fine. It isn’t. The “GOATs” are visible; the underlying ecosystem is not. The CRAFT team looks forward to supporting the sector and working with government and institutions at every level.
We look forward to the first Ministerial roundtable on comedy, Monday March 9. The industry isn’t asking for special treatment. It’s asking for the basics: formal cultural recognition of comedy as an artform and a standalone sector, and a fair share of the investment already flowing into other industries, like music, theatre, and sport. Since its formation, no one appointed to the Creative Industry Council is a comedy-specific expert. Downstream this means ‘comedy’ is not visible in a single key report, including the Creative Industry Sector Plan; or consultations, including Copyright and AI. If comedy is systemically excluded from the top creative industry meetings or reports, consultations and policy—the industry, the economy, and the British public are missing out. If the creative arts prides itself on being inclusive, comedy can’t be the exception. CRAFT will ensure comedy is included hereafter.”
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Alister Morgan
Founding Trustee
Senior Lead Banijay • Ex-BBC Studios/UKTV/Acamar/BBC/AOL/Bebo/Realnetworks
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Dedicated to making digital content and platforms deliver measurable benefits for businesses across a wide range of digital networks. I held a senior position at the world's second-largest social network, have agency experience and have worked with a diverse range of companies including many household brands in the entertainment & lifestyle sector.
Held senior digital marketing leadership positions leading UK and global teams at BBC Television (Europe's largest portfolio of social media accounts)/BBC iPlayer, A+E Networks, AOL Europe, Huffington Post UK and Bebo. The goal remains the same: devise digital marketing strategies and produce compelling content to engage target audiences across all digital platforms and networks. Specialties: Digital marketing strategy, social media, customer acquisition/retention, e-marketing, e-commerce marketing, digital publishing, CRM, analytic reporting, community management, SEO/SEM, PPC.
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“Comedy is one of the most culturally resonant forms of content, yet it has lacked the kind of coordinated digital and industry infrastructure that other sectors take for granted. I joined CRAFT because there is a real opportunity to help comedy grow its reach, value and long-term sustainability through stronger strategy, better systems, and greater recognition.”
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Jake Jefferson
Founding Trustee
Founder and CCO at Creative Wave Entertainment • Comedy Club Manager & Talent Booker
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London-based agent and producer Jake Jefferson is the founder of Creative Wave Entertainment, a fast-growing comedy talent agency and production company established in 2023. With a strong understanding of both the creative and commercial sides of the industry, he plays an active role in shaping the careers of emerging and established comedians.
Jake is also Deputy General Manager of Backyard Comedy Club and a show runner and talent programmer for various clubs and comedy nights, giving him a hands-on role at the heart of London’s live comedy circuit. Across these positions, he oversees live operations, curates line-ups, develops new acts, and produces national/international tours and scripted comedy projects through Creative Wave.
Known for his modern, artist-first approach, Jake champions fair and transparent representation while building strong industry relationships that drive long-term success and collaboration.
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“Comedy is one of the most influential art forms in the world, it’s time we treated it like one. We owe it to the artists and the audiences to build an industry that’s fair, safe, and sustainable.”
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Jennifer Smith
Founding Trustee
CEO at Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) • EX-BFI
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Jen Smith is CEO of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) responsible for developing its remit, operating model and governance structure.
Jen was responsible for a host of ground-breaking work whilst working at the BFI, gaining international recognition for the BFI Diversity Standards, achieving Autism Friendly Status for BFI Southbank, partnering with Changing Faces on the impactful #Iamnotyourvillain campaign and ensuring that the full range of diversity data on who the BFI funds and employs is published annually. Jen led the creation and publication of the screen sectors’ first ‘Set of Principles and Guidance to Prevent Bullying and Harassment and Racism’.
Jen previously held a range of strategic roles with the housing sector and prior to that worked as a researcher in Parliament. Jen is a member of the Institute of Regulation and an ACAS accredited mediator. Jen is also a member of BAFTA, Patron at the Royal Albert Hall, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an advisor to the UK Muslim Film Charity and the Mark Milsome Foundation.
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"The British comedy scene is a cherished and integral part of the creative industries landscape. I am so delighted to be a founding trustee of CRAFT, the first dedicated national body for the UK comedy industry, and supporting it to play an integral role in ensuring that comedy and comedians in the UK can thrive."
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COMEDY APPG: DEDICATED cross-party GOvernment group
CRAFT initiated and coordinates the Secretariat (official office) for the Comedy All-Parliamentary Parliament Group (APPG), run by and for Members of the Commons and Lords. This gives the comedy industry a permanent, official presence in Parliament, creating a dedicated space where the ecosystem's pressing challenges can be brought forward, robustly evidenced, and kept firmly on the political agenda. Contact our Secretariat to submit an agenda.
Richard Quigley MP
Comedy APPG Chair
Labour MP for Isle of Wight West • Comedian • SME Owner
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Richard Quigley is the Member of Parliament for Isle of Wight West and is a former stand-up comedian (2007-2020).
He is the first ever Member of Parliament (MP) elected to represent the Isle of Wight West, and the first ever Labour MP elected on the Isle of Wight.
He won his seat at the 2024 general election, with a majority of 3,177.
Since becoming an MP, Richard was elected to and continues to serve as a member of the influential Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC). He also sits on multiple All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs).
In addition to being an MP, Richard is also a trustee to two island charities and supports other island charities and community organisations.
Richard trained as an engineer and started his career working for Britvic before deciding to become a self-employed businessman.
He has operated several businesses on the Island but is most well-known for running a successful fish and chip shop with his wife.
Richard’s involvement in politics began when he realised he could no longer stand by and watch the decline in public services, infrastructure, and education, which was accepted and normalised under successive Conservative governments.
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“I’m very excited to take on the biggest job in politics: Chair of the Comedy APPG. It's a big job, all the training has paid off! We’re going to take the Comedy APPG seriously and transform the sector, but let’s have fun doing it”.
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James Sharp
Comedy APPG Secretariat Coordinator & Policy Lead
Policy Researcher and Writer at Metis Digital
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James has a passion for how policy is communicated and implemented, and is motivated by roles that sit at the intersection of research, politics and public debate.
He has a BSc in Politics, with experience across think tanks, public affairs agencies and research consultancies, specialising in political analysis, policy research and strategic communications. James has worked on projects covering economic growth, labour markets, AI regulation and industrial strategy, producing clear briefings and explainers for a range of audiences. A long-standing interest and enjoyment of comedy and satire motivated him to get involved with CRAFT, alongside a belief in the benefits of comedy.
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"Comedy has always been central to how we process politics, challenge power, and make sense of the world around us — but for too long it's been treated as an afterthought in the policy conversations that shape our cultural life. From working the bar at the Edinburgh Fringe to analysing policy in Westminster, I've seen first-hand both the energy of live comedy and the gap between its cultural impact and its institutional recognition. CRAFT is changing that, and with my background in politics and research, I want to help build the evidence base and policy arguments that give comedy the recognition it deserves. This is serious work for an artform that matters."
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THE UK’S FOUNDING COMEDY ADVISORY BOARD (CAB)
CRAFT’s team has over 275 years of combined comedy industry experience from within the comedy community, including Comedy APPG Chair, Richard Quigley MP. The founding Comedy Advisory Board’s structure includes a chair, two co-vice-chairs, a secretary, and expert advisors. Overall, there are 20 positions minimum and 30 positions maximum, which each role covering a specific and vital area of the sector ecosystem. Each advisor has a two year tenure. July 2026: positions available— contact us to apply.
Prof. Lesley Sloss
CAB Chair
Ex-Comedy Momager • Past advisor to the International Energy Agency & the UN Environment Programme
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Prof Lesley Sloss spent 35 years working with the UN Environment Programme, the US Department of State, and other international agencies and government bodies on projects to reduce pollutant emissions from the energy sector in emerging economies. In practice this means that she has travelled extensively, building strong personal relationships with fascinating people worldwide who are passionate about creating long term change for the benefit of many. She appreciates the importance of comedy in building relationships and, in some situations, defusing problematic discussions.
Her son may have picked up on her public speaking skillset. And maybe her sense of humour, which oscillates dangerously between empathy and wickedness. Her presence in this group is completely separate from her son and his career. But, having supported him in his journey, she is more aware than most of the power of the industry to create change. -
Why I support craft? Because comedy is not a joke.
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Georgie Donnelly
CAB Co-Vice-Chair
Head of Comedy & Entertainment at AEG Presents UK • Ex-UTA/Kilimanjaro Live/Laughing Stock Productions/AU Comedy Festivals/RBM Comedy
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Georgie Donnelly is Head of Comedy & Entertainment at AEG Presents UK, where she leads the company's comedy, live podcast and entertainment division, developing and promoting tours and live events featuring some of the biggest names in international comedy and entertainment – from The Rest is Entertainment to John Mulaney, Taylor Tomlinson, Sir Andy Murray and many more.
With over 18 years' experience across talent representation, touring and live event promotion, Georgie has built a reputation for bringing global talent to UK audiences and creating ambitious, large-scale live experiences. Since joining AEG Presents as its first-ever Head of Comedy, she has played a key role in expanding the company's comedy footprint and broadening the division into live entertainment, overseeing projects spanning stand-up, podcasts, conversation shows and special events.
Prior to AEG Presents, Georgie was Head of Comedy & Podcasts at Moment House, following roles as an Agent at UTA and Head of Comedy at Kilimanjaro Live, where she established and grew the company's comedy division. She also worked in the Australian and NZ comedy industry as a Producer at Laughing Stock Productions and delivering on shows at major festivals in the continent including Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe and New Zealand Comedy Festival.
Throughout her career she has worked with many of the world's leading comedians and entertainment talent, building international tours and long-term relationships across the global live industry.
Known for championing both established stars and emerging talent, Georgie is passionate about evolving the live entertainment landscape and developing innovative opportunities for audiences and artists alike.
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CRAFT is leading the way for comedy to be recognised, funded, and supported.
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Ish Kalia
CAB Co-Vice-Chair
Multi-award winning BAFTA Comedy Executive Producer • TV, Film, Audio and Podcasts • Writer
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Broadcast, Rose D’Or and RTS-nominated producer and double BAFTA-winning producer.
In his 20 years in TV, Ish Kalia progressed from Runner to Executive Producer, creating some of the most renowned and popular shows, working with and learning from TV’s top on- and off-screen talent.
Ish has served on the BAFTA TV jury and mentors young people new to the industry through the MAMA Youth Project.
He is best known for his work on Sky’s ‘A League of Their Own’ franchise. He received the call to work on the then- new panel show in 2010 and became instrumental to its success. It soon became Sky’s most returnable brand, running for 20 series.
Among other accolades, the show helped establish the TV careers of James Corden, Freddie Flintoff, Jack Whitehall, and Romesh Ranganathan. The show’s success led to a spin-off series, “A League of Their Own’s Road Trip’, which Ish ran as Series Producer and Editor and later became its Executive Producer. This comedy travelogue has become Sky Max’s highest-rated series.
Ish started his career working on big reality shows, including Big Brother, Fame Academy and Soccer Aid. He also produced How Video Games Changed The World (Channel 4), a highly acclaimed documentary fronted by Charlie Brooker.
He was Series Editor for a movie panel show, There’s Something About Movies (Sky Max), hosted by Alan Carr, which has returned five times. Ish was also responsible for casting comedians Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett in the hit show Rob & Rom Vs (Sky Max), now in its ninth series.
Ish also created and produces the award-winning football podcast Big Kick Energy, hosted by comedians Maisie Adam and Suzi Ruffell.
More recently, Ish Series Edited a new series, The Dyer’s Caravan Park (Sky Max), starring Danny Dyer. This was Sky’s biggest launch in 5 years and has been successfully recommissioned for a second series.
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“British comedy talent is world-class, but the support system around it is fragile. We’ve been running on grit and goodwill for too long. If we want a thriving industry, we need funding and mandates: a levy that supports grassroots growth, essential skills pathways, and serious backing for discovery and exports. CRAFT establishes the foundation we require: sector-led, results-driven, and prepared to invest, ensuring the next wave of comedy talent doesn’t have to run on fumes.”
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Ali Anselmo
Comedy Advisor
Celebrity Talent Executive (BBC/ITV/Channel 4/MTV/TikTok/The UN/CRUK)
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Ali Anselmo is one of the industry’s most respected Celebrity Talent Executives, bringing over 20 years of experience securing global A-List talent for some of the world's most influential broadcasters, streamers, digital platforms, charities and global brands.
Her client portfolio spans the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, MTV, Sky, Netflix, Amazon, TikTok, YouTube, The United Nations World Food Programme, Cancer Research UK, War Child, Red Bull, Barclaycard, Samsung, Guinness, Xbox, and more.
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“Working as a Talent Producer and Talent Executive for the past two decades, I’ve witnessed just how much the landscape has shifted. It’s become increasingly difficult for grassroots talent to break through, with too many exceptional voices facing barriers to access the support and opportunity they need to grow. If we’re serious about discovering and nurturing the next generation of global names, the time to invest in and champion new voices is now.”
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Carly Smallman
Comedy Advisor
Comedian • Co-Founder Bring Your Own Baby (BYOB) Comedy • Founder Stand Up and Shine
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Carly Smallman is a professional comedian, producer and founder of Bring Your Own Baby Comedy, the award-winning live comedy club for parents and carers. She recently launched Comedy on Prescription workshops, using comedy as a tool for confidence, connection and wellbeing. With hands-on experience building grassroots comedy spaces and performing nationwide, Carly brings creative vision, practical industry insight and a genuine belief in comedy’s power to bring people together.
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I support craft because there are so many incredible creatives who deserve better support and recognition for the joy their art brings to the world
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Dan Dearlove
Comedy Advisor
Venue Manager at The Backyard Comedy Club
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Dan Dearlove is a highly respected and trusted name in the comedy industry. With over 25 years of experience, he has developed a strong understanding of the circuit and a keen finger on the pulse of comedy.
Dan has served as General Manager of Backyard Comedy Club for many years, playing a key role in its development and reputation as a leading grassroots venue within the UK comedy scene. Alongside this, he has produced countless comedy shows and tours, working with a wide range of well-known comedians.
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CRAFT the best thing for comedy since sliced bread.
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David Whitney
Comedy Advisor
Comedian, Actor, Writer, Producer, and Comedy Promoter.
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Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, David grew up in various army camps around the world due to his military family background. Initially set on a career in the British Army, he chose drama school over Sandhurst, leading him to the world of comedy and acting. David's sharp wit and engaging performances have made him a favourite in comedy clubs across the UK, including the Backyard Comedy Club and the Comedy Store. His material often intertwines sophisticated political satire with raw, unfiltered humour, earning him accolades and a loyal following. David’s performance at the 2007 Hackney Empire New Act of the Year competition saw him finish as runner-up, solidifying his place in the comedy scene.
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For many reasons I've always thought that government funding was not something available to me. I didn't think I fulfilled the criteria that they would be looking for. Also, the mix of different disciplines of the performing arts meant it never felt that one body or another represented/had an interest in what I was doing and therefore applying for funding would be a fruitless task. I'm excited that CRAFT exists to help people find funding and government opportunities to develop their ‘Craft’ and help their projects come to fruition—even if they do not fit in one clean box.
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Keith Palmer MBE
Comedy Advisor
Founder and Executive Comedy Coach at The Comedy School
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Keith Palmer MBE is the founder and Director of The Comedy School, a pioneering UK charity he established in 1998 to use comedy as a tool for education, wellbeing and social change.
An experienced producer, facilitator and comedy consultant, he has spent more than 25 years developing programmes that build confidence, communication and creativity while tackling issues including youth violence, mental health and offender rehabilitation.
In 2020, he was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to entertainment and charity.
Through The Comedy School, Keith has helped shape the careers of countless comedians while demonstrating the transformative power of comedy across communities.
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“Lu Jackson has spent years advocating for the Comedy industry across all levels of government, institutions, and organisations. It's good to see we're starting to make progress with the government, but a huge amount of work remains to be done to help the industry thrive. CRAFT can be a solution.”
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Lyndsey Jackson
Comedy Advisor
Executive Director at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh • CIISA Trustee; Ex-Fringe Society
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Lyndsey is the Executive Director of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, a premier producing theatre in the heart of Scotland’s capital city that welcomes over 100,000 audience members at year to experience the best of Scotland and the world, in it’s beautiful 140 year old theatre. Prior to this, Lyndsey was Deputy Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, the charity behind the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Over twelve years at the Fringe Society, Lyndsey played a vital part in delivering its vision to give anyone a stage, and everyone a seat, with notable successes including securing £7M of capital funding from the UK Government to develop its new home as well as the Keep it Fringe Fund that supports artists to bring their work to the Fringe. Prior to her time in Edinburgh Lyndsey worked in event and theatre production, youth engagement and co-creation, and the development of resident and community outreach programmes in her time at Kabosh (Belfast) and Shooting Fish/Blueprint Film (Lincoln). Lyndsey has served on several boards, from the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham to a small theatre company in Northern Ireland. Lyndsey is currently the Chair of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) Board of Finance.
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Lynne Parker
Comedy Advisor
Founder and CEO at Funny Women, Comedy In The Community, Glitter Project, Stand Up to Stand Out, How to Have Fun at Work
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Lynne Parker founded Funny Women in 2002 in response to a comedy promoter who told her that 'women aren't funny'. She went on to create the Funny Women Awards in 2003 and the organisation is now an acclaimed non-profit community for women to build self-confidence and develop their own distinctive voice.
Through Lynne’s work with Funny Women she has become a renowned performance coach and mentor encouraging people in business and public life to 'Have Fun at Work'. By borrowing techniques from the world of stand-up comedy, she has developed her ‘Stand Up to Stand Out’ series of workshops and provides a range of corporate services under Funny Women’s ‘big sister’ brand, HERlarious.
Recognising the gap in grassroots outreach to support creative development for women’s health and wellbeing, Lynne developed The Glitter Project. The initiative was launched at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe with a BBC Comedy Grant and six regional hubs have been created with funding from Arts Council England.
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I have been part of the comedy industry since 2002 and the evolution has been seismic with the advent of social media and life-changing events like 9/11, Brexit, Covid and conflict. Culture is a reflection of society and comedy tells a story of humanity and truth like no other artform. It's honest, informative, and even brutal. Humour is vital to all media from books to stage and screen, and we don't have comedy without tragedy. Why would we not include it in the rich tapestry of our everyday lives and interactions? We make a difference whatever we do - giving or receiving.
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Ro Dodgson (they/them)
Comedy Advisor
Comedian • Writer
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Ro is a highly-rated new voice on the London comedy scene. As seen at leading clubs such as Top Secret, Up the Creek, and Backyard Comedy Club. They won runner up at Bath New Comedian of the Year 2025. They've also worked on the Comedy-on-Prescription initiative, and in advocacy promoting diverse voices in comedy.
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"As an emerging stand-up comedian, the comedy scene has aleady given me so much. Advising CRAFT is a genuinely exciting way to represent emerging talent and build systems to sustain comedy as a home for diversity"
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Dr Sam Beale
Comedy Advisor
Comedy academic & researcher • Live comedy director & writer • Educator & facilitator
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Dr Sam Beale is a comedy director, writer, researcher and teacher. She collaborates internationally with comedians, theatre companies, community initiatives and festivals and is founder/director of Funny Side Collective, and co-founder/co-artistic director of Palestine Comedy Club.
Recent writing and directing collaborations include award winning shows with Mark Thomas, Sami Abu Wardeh, and Alaa Shehada as co-writer and comedy consultant on the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe First winning solo show, The Horse of Jenin.
Sam has taught comedy writing and performance for over 25 years. She also writes about the history and practice of comedy for academic publications and speaks about comedy and social change at international events. She is the author of numerous publications including The Comedy & Legacy of Music Hall Women: Brazen Impudence and Boisterous Vulgarity (2020) and Beyond a Joke: comedy and social change in the UK (2026).
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The contemporary UK comedy industry faces numerous challenges and opportunities. As a body representing comedy practitioners working in every part of this complex ecosystem and advocating the potential health and community cohesion impacts of comedy for audiences and wider communities, CRAFT is an incredibly exciting and important initiative.
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CRAFT’s FOUNDING BUSINESS & CHARITY ADVISORS
Aba Amihyia, MBCS
Communications Advisor
Communications Manager at Alma Economics
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Aba is a communications and growth strategist whose career bridges the creative industries and the social impact sector. With experience at global brands including Burberry and Great Bowery UK, they formerly served as Community Manager for the DCMS-funded Tackling Loneliness Hub before moving into their current role as Communications Manager at Alma Economics, where they lead external communications for a leading social research and economics consultancy.
An advocate for embedding the arts in social prescribing to enhance wellbeing and social connection, Aba is passionate about how creativity can foster belonging, better health, and stronger communities - an ethos she brings to her advisory role championing comedy as both an art form and a force for social good. -
My work explores the intersection of social impact and the creative industries, and that's where I discovered something profound: the arts have an extraordinary power to bring communities together and support people's wellbeing. Working across both spaces, I came to understand the vital role the arts play in community health and social connection — and of all the artforms, comedy does this better than any other. It transcends difference, builds connection, and lifts people up in ways that matter. The fact that it remains unrecognised, without the funding and infrastructure afforded to other artforms, is deeply disappointing. CRAFT exists to change that — and I'm proud to be part of making it happen.
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Emmett Steed-Mundin
Healthcare Advisor
Director of Clinical Services at Nuffield Health, Highgate Hospital • MSc, CMgr, RN • Governor at the Charterhouse
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Emmett is an experienced healthcare leader with extensive expertise in clinical governance, safeguarding, operational management, and strategic leadership across the independent healthcare sector. He specialises in patient safety, quality improvement, and workforce development. Emmett holds an MSc in Strategic Leadership and a Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership (CMI). He also serves as a Governor at The Charterhouse charitable foundation.
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"Comedy plays a unique and vital role in our culture and has the ability to bring people together and challenge ideas. It must supported and safeguarded, at this time when we need it more than ever."
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Jack Gamble
Creative Industry Advisor
Director and CEO at Campaign for the Arts • Cultural Advocacy Fellow at Queen Mary University
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“Comedy makes all of our lives better. It is an absolutely essential part of the arts, of the cultural life of this country, and of being human. It deserves proper recognition, consideration and support.”
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Mali Lopez-Palmer
Marketing Intern
Content and Social Marketing • Game Developer • The Comedy School (Intern)
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Mali Lopez-Palmer is a Marketing graduate with experience across digital marketing, content creation and creative entrepreneurship. Alongside his studies, he has worked on a range of creative projects including game development and music production, where he has built online communities and helped market content to growing audiences. His interests lie in digital culture, community-driven platforms and how creative ideas can be communicated effectively through marketing and media.
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I am motivated to support CRAFT through my interest in creative expression and the role comedy plays in bringing people together. I believe comedy can be a powerful way to communicate ideas, encourage conversation and make complex topics more accessible to wider audiences.
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Neil Ross
Policy Advisor
Director at Public First • Industry Chair of Labour Digital; Ex-techUK/House of Commons
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Neil Ross is a senior policy and government affairs specialist, currently at Public First, where he advises organisations on the political and economic impacts of technological change. Before joining Public First in 2025, Neil was Associate Director for Policy at techUK and previously worked in Parliament for two Labour MPs. He has served on multiple Government advisory bodies, including on data protection reform and SME digital adoption, and played a key role in shaping UK policy on digital competition, AI and regulation. Neil is Chair of Labour Digital and was recognised as influential in shaping Labour’s tech policy ahead of the 2024 general election.
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“CRAFT is a hugely welcome step for the comedy industry which brings joy, connection and real mental health benefits to communities across the UK. Comedy isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’ — it’s part of how we cope, heal and belong, and it deserves the same serious infrastructure as other art forms. Labour Digital’s research shows that the practical applications of tech to foster connection and help people address everyday challenges, like poor mental health or isolation are where the public sees the most important benefits. I’m particularly pleased to see this focus embedded in how CRAFT wants to support the comedy industry.”
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Dr Rosa Malley
Charity Advisor
Media and Reputation Solicitor • Board Member of Hacked Off and Protection Against Stalking
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Dr Rosa Malley is a solicitor who specialises in media and reputation matters. She has worked on cases involving politicians, celebrities, sportspeople and high profile criminal defendants.
Rosa has a background in politics. She taught British politics at Birkbeck University and holds a doctorate on the representation of women from the University of Bristol.
Rosa also sits on the board of the Hacked Off campaign and Protection Against Stalking.
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I support CRAFT because it is providing unprecedented support and representation of the UK comedy industry.
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Sufyan Ahmed
Policy Advisor
Senior Parliamentary Assistant and Researcher to Dr Simon Opher MP
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Sufyan Ahmed is the Senior Parliamentary Adviser to Dr Simon Opher MP. He has worked closely with Craic over the last 15 months on supporting the comedy iindustry by connecting stakeholders with government officials and advising Craic on how to raise relevant issues in Parliament. Ahmed has also supported the roll out of comedy on prescription schemes.
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OBserver ADVISORS
Observer Advisor
Campaign for the Arts, the UK alliance for arts and culture with the belief that the arts make life better, and everyone should have opportunities to experience and take part in them.
Observer Advisor
The Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, to uphold and improve standards of behaviour across the creative industries.
Observer Advisor
Principal Policy Officer at Greater London Authority (GLA), the strategic body supporting the Mayor of London.
CRAFT’s FOUNDING Team
We see ourselves as custodians of CRAFT, not gatekeepers of Comedy. We are moving with the urgency of a start-up, not the inertia of a bureaucracy, while embedding transparent governance from day one.
Our founding team brings together well-known comedy and political patrons, alongside trustees and advisors spanning comedy, business, healthcare, education, technology, policy, and more.
We are all comedy fans who have the skills and expertise to help the industry. We believe sector support will onwards help communities and audiences to make the world a happier place.
The comedy ecosystem is incredibly diverse—and so is CRAFT, to ensure comedy gets the voice that represents it best.
Our team is made up of many different perspectives and levels of experience from young grassroots talents to seasoned veterans, with different lived experiences and professions, self-employed to tech start-ups and major corporations, all contributing vital skills to help CRAFT operate effectively.
The comedy industry is global, our team demographics include Brits and immigrants.
Different ethnicities, ages, sexes, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, religions, socio-economic backgrounds, and political views.
Importantly, our team has a wide range of comedy tastes and genres, together we’re making sure every part of the comedy ecosystem gets the voice and fair representation it deserves.
Everyone at CRAFT is working free or pro-bono
The founding team of patrons, trustees, advisors, and observers are all working without pay while we establish core governance, transparency processes, and early delivery.
As funding grows, CRAFT intends to employ a separate team to manage and administer the charity, so as to maximise growth and meet the reporting, safeguarding, and compliance requirements expected of a charity and national sector body.