Damian Thantrey
Festival Director
Damian joined the Festival team in March 2017 as guest Artistic Director, having previously produced specially-commissioned opera and concert productions for the Festival. Following a successful 25-year career as a singer, he became Festival Director in 2019, overseeing both artistic planning and general management.
Joshua Clayton
Festival Producer
Joshua is a Theatre/Events Producer and Freelance Musician, with a passion for all things arts and creative, and a love of strategy and organisational development.
He is responsible for overseeing the logistics and operations of Festival events, and supports on the Festival's ASPIRE! programme.
Beyond the Festival he is a pro-am trombonist and conductor, and until recently ran his own theatre company producing new musical theatre.
Kate Wrighton
Head of Partnerships & Giving
Kate joined the Festival in 2026 and is responsible for Corporate Partnerships, Sponsorships and Advertising.
Kate has extensive experience of Marketing and Business Development in the private sector, having worked primarily with professional services clients in the past.
Kate is a keen amateur musician and former member of Staffordshire Youth Orchestra, ‘cello being her first study. Kate has remained close to the local arts network throughout her career and also has children who are actively involved music and drama at LCS and Lichfield Cathedral.
Catherine Swallow
Volunteer & Box Office Manager
Cat loves engaging with our audience and coordinating our fantastic volunteer team, the backbone of the Festival. Since joining the Lichfield Festival Friends committee in 2018, she has contributed as Treasurer and Membership Secretary. Raising her family in Lichfield, Cat values the Festival's inspiring performances, which spark meaningful conversations and lasting memories.
Alex Clark-Michalek
Learning & Participation Producer
Alex works with museums and galleries across the West Midlands and loves all things medieval and folk focused.
As part of the Festival's ASPIRE! programme he develops projects that help young people engage with the arts.
President
Our President, Ian Dudson CBE, was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire on 29th March 2012. Ian was an industrialist whose family business, manufacturing ceramic tableware for the worldwide hospitality industry, has been based in Stoke on Trent since 1800. In 2002, Ian was awarded the CBE for services to the ceramics industry and made a Knight of the Order of St John in 2017.
He was Pro-Chancellor of Keele University and Chair of Council from 2005-2012 and a founding member of the Local Enterprise Partnership.
Currently he is Chair of the Trustees of The Dudson Centre, which acts as a resource centre for voluntary groups, and chairs the Magistrates Advisory Committee for Staffordshire. He is also a Council member at Lichfield Cathedral.
Trustees
- Helen Wiser (Chair)
- Claire Lue (Treasurer)
- Claire Tetley
- Adrienne Swallow
- Colin Walker
- Ray Mansell
- David Shaw
- Jennifer Graham
- Janet Smith
- Wayne Smith
- The Rt Revd Jan McFarlane
- Adrian Jackson
- Lesley Smith
The Festival is grateful for the continued support and commitment of the Company Secretary, Colin Ablitt.
To contact a member of the Lichfield Festival Board please email our Chair, Helen Wiser