Our Governance

Unlike other companies a CIC exists to benefit a defined community of people. Everyone involved in the running of Penny’s Community Arts has a shared vision of our purpose and mission to support art within our community. 

Executive Directors 

Our Directors have three primary duties

1.     To set long-term strategies that will advance the mission and purpose of Penny’s Community Arts. 

2.     To ensure the reputation of the organisation is protected by demonstrating high levels of responsible Corporate Citizenship.

3.     Ensuring the organisation remains solvent. 

Non-Executive Board Members 

We currently have three non-executive Board members. They support, maintain and progress the mission of Penny’s Community Arts CIC. They are involved in policy making, planning and supporting the vision of our CIC by ensuring good governance principles, for example: 

·       Developing effective Board Procedures – providing a sound framework through appropriate policies and procedures.

·       Maintaining Strong Leadership – this is needed to implement good governance and essential to help the CIC achieve its community goals. 

·       Defining Organisational Strategy – this is needed to make sure everyone is clear on where the CIC is going and ensuring we meet our goals effectively.

·       Ensuring Accountability and Transparency – this enables our CIC to win and maintain public trust and confidence. Through good governance we will be able to move forward with the mission and vision of our CIC to benefit our society above all other interests.

Natalie Sarabia-Johnson (Left) has three decades of architecture experience and is the co-founder of Southgate-Sarabia architects. Natalie is passionate about arts in the community and she brings all her business experience and sound knowledge to our CIC. Natalie is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Rebecca Brayson (Centre left) launched the Gin Shack (a mobile Gin Bar) in 2015. Rebecca has been a Garforth resident for 20 years and is the organiser of the Garforth Feastival - a local event with the aim of bringing the community together through food. Rebecca couples her love of food with a genuine desire to create strong communities based around Art, Good Food and Drink. Rebecca provides specialist commercial advice to the CIC.

Amy Baxter (Right) is a yoga teacher and community group facilitator.  She started Hawthorn Wellbeing in 2021, specialising in supporting individuals and groups to create pauses at all life stages. Using mindfulness, nature, art and yogic philosophies as a resource for making healthy and sustainable community connections. I love all things humanities - art, geography, and particularly local history.