WHO WE ARE
OUR BOARD
Sing Inside is run by a small but passionate team, with some part time staff and powered by volunteers across the country. Our teams work tirelessly to ensure we have professional standards and structures in place, ensuring our governance, security and workshops are all of a high standard. We elected our first board in 2018 and expanded it in 2020. Our trustees have a range of skills and backgrounds, but share a passion for our mission to provide meaningful creative opportunities in prisons across the UK.
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We will usually advertise trustee positions on our current opportunities page; if you have any questions about joining the board, please get in touch with our chief executive below. If you would like to contact one of our trustees, please contact trustees@singinside.org.
OUR BOARD
EDWARD SMYTH
Chair
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Edward is the Chair of Sing Inside, and has been a trustee since 2021. He is an established writer and editor, primarily on issues of criminal justice; and a professional fundraiser working as Head of Fundraising and Philanthropy at the Prison Reform Trust. Edward has under- and post-graduate degrees in Music, as well as further postgraduate degrees in Theology (Durham) and Criminology (Oxford). In his spare time Edward runs a small choir which he takes to sing in cathedrals around the country. He also sits on the board of The Welcome Directory, a small charity which curates a directory of faith communities committed to offering a warm, supportive welcome to prison-leavers. Not a natural Londoner by any stretch, Edward finds himself based there nonetheless, and would be delighted to meet anyone who would like to know more about Sing Inside and its work: please contact him through trustees@singinside.org.
STAFF TEAM
Sing Inside's work is overseen by our staff team. If you have any questions about our workshops, partnering with us as a prison, funding, policy or anything else, feel free to contact them and they will happily put you in touch with the right person for your enquiry.
SAM HAWKSLEY
Chief executive
sam@singinside.org
Sam joined Sing Inside as the new Chief Executive in December 2023. He has a background leading a charity in London as well as work experience for and consulting with local authorities and in addiction recovery. He has a degree in Music from Birmingham Conservatoire and has previously worked as a freelance Community Music leader and Musician in Birmingham and London.
CAMBRIDGE COMMITTEE
SOPHIE
President
I am a second year English student and member of St Catharine’s college. Having volunteered with Sing Inside back at home in Liverpool, I am really excited to get involved with the committee here and to help extend the brilliant opportunities that Sing Inside offers to a wider range of both prisoners and volunteers. I can’t wait to combine my passions for outreach and music to expand our community here in Cambridge!
OXFORD COMMITTEE
EMILIE
President
oxford@singinside.org
Emilie is a music graduate and has worked in the live performing arts industry for the past five years. With a number of visits under her belt, and experience working and volunteering with Anna Fiorentini Performing Arts School and Clean Break Theatre Company, Emilie is passionate about bringing the performing arts to as many people as possible.