Create Arts

Create was born from a vision Nicky (our CEO) had in December 2002 of a charity that would use the power of the arts to transform lives. She is motivated by her longing for a fair, caring, inclusive society in which every individual can fulfil their potential. Prior to co-founding the charity in July 2003, she was Chief Executive of the Orchestra of St John’s.

She has extensive experience in creative arts management, before which she was a Marketing Executive at KPMG. She was a volunteer Childline Counsellor for five years before becoming a Samaritan in January 2002; is on the YouthXpress leadership team at Southwark Cathedral, where she works with young people aged 11-18; and is Vice Chair of the Queen’s Nursing Institute.

Nicky has a First Class BSc (Hons) in Marketing (with arts) and the Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma. In 2013, she completed a Certificate in History of Art at Birkbeck College, University of London, for which she was awarded Distinction.

Nicky was recognised as Clarins Most Dynamisante Woman of the Year in 2013; received the Charity Times Rising CEO Star Highly Commended award in 2014; was one of 30 #SocialCEO award winners in 2015; and was runner-up for the Directory of Social Change “Influencer” award in 2017.