WILD by Motionhouse | Streets of Cov 2024
Photo by Andrew Moore

About Us

Imagineer brings people together, to collaborate meaningfully, and to make ambitious creative work.

We create joyful outdoor arts productions, impactful participatory programmes and bespoke opportunities for creative development. Our work brings people together and celebrates diversity, builds confidence and creates meaningful opportunities for people to take part, develop and grow.

We believe in the power of creativity to transform lives, connect people and make the extraordinary accessible, working with artists, young people and communities to open up access to the arts. We work collaboratively, creating inspiring shared experiences that foster pride, belonging and connection.

At the heart of our work is a connected programme that brings together participation, artist development and production. Through this we support people at all stages of their creative journey, from early engagement through to professional practice, nurturing talent and creating opportunities to develop skills, confidence and experience.

The Daimler Powerhouse is our home – a space for making, experimenting and coming together. It is a hub for creative activity and collaboration, where artists, young people and communities can test ideas, develop work and create new possibilities.

We are an inclusive, innovative, and forward-thinking company that fosters a collaborative, flexible, and supportive environment where creativity thrives, work-life balance is valued, and everyone has the opportunity to grow professionally and contribute to Imagineers’ success.

Vision

We believe in the power of creativity to transform lives, connect people and make the extraordinary accessible to everyone.

Through impactful productions, participation programmes and artist development, we celebrate Coventry’s heritage, diversity and spirit by creating joyful, transformative work that brings people together and leaves a lasting legacy.

Whilst our work spans the city, the Daimler Powerhouse is our home – a hub for experimentation, rehearsal, mentoring and creation, where artists, young people and communities come together to imagine, play, fail and thrive.

Values

1. Creativity Belongs to Everyone

We believe everyone has the capacity to create. We remove barriers and open pathways, making ambitious creative work accessible and inclusive. Shaping empowering, socially engaged and democratic spaces where hope and creativity can thrive.

2. Collective Making

We make work with people, not for them. Collaboration, shared authorship and mutual respect sit at the heart of everything we do. We value every contribution and take a fierce approach to access, actively removing barriers so more people can shape, influence and lead.

3. Ambition

We are committed to high-quality, bold and imaginative work, supporting artists, communities and partners to aim high, take creative risks and realise work of scale and significance. We work in a circular way, creating ongoing opportunities for artists and creative professionals to develop, return and grow, with fair pay and long-term support at the core of our approach.

4. Care, Trust & Sustainability

We value care for people, places and processes. We build relationships based on trust, listening and long-term commitment, working with radical care and kindness in how we support artists, communities and each other. We model fair and respectful ways of working, including better conditions for freelancers, and take responsibility for the environmental and social impact of what we do.

5. Place & Belonging

Grown from our Coventry heritage, we celebrate diversity and nurture pride of place, creating work that connects people and strengthens belonging. We are committed to a lasting legacy of people, practice and place, and to amplifying Coventry’s voices, regionally and internationally, to inspire connection, dialogue and exchange.

6. Learning & Development 

We embrace curiosity, reflection and experimentation. We learn from each other, from artists and communities, through taking creative risks and embracing failure – using what we learn to nurture people, develop practice and create pathways into the creative industries, growing confidence, skills and impact over time.

Staff

Sarah Jerrard-Dinn

Managing Director
Sarah is Managing Director of Imagineer, leading the organisation's strategic direction, creative development and organisational growth. She oversees Imagineer's programme of ambitious outdoor performances, artist development initiatives and community engagement.

Phil Dawson

Finance Director
Phil is responsible for overseeing the finances, from day to day bookkeeping to preparing detailed budget and forecasts, his job is to ensure the ongoing financial stability of the organisation.

Matt Rheeston

Building Supervisor
Matt is responsible for the smooth running of the Daimler Powerhouse, ensuring the spaces and facilities are kept maintained and ready for use.

Jonny McClean

Programme Producer
Jonny works across our connected programme of participation, artist development and production. He leads Transformations and works with artists, communities and partners to create opportunities for people to engage, develop and progress through the arts.

Jordan Reading

Digital Assistant | Freelance
Jordan plays a key role in supporting Imagineers’ digital needs, providing assistance with IT, newsletters, and website maintenance.

Lily Smith

Engagement & Community Connector | Freelance
Lily supports with recruitment for Imagineer's engagement programmes, as well as helping to foster relationships with local communities, youth groups, and organisations.

Michael Mihoc

Engagement & Community Connector | Freelance
Michael supports with recruitment for Imagineer's engagement programmes, as well as helping to foster relationships with local communities, youth groups & organisations.

Board

John McGuigan

Chair of the Board
John is our Chair and former Director of City Development at Coventry City Council, with a tireless commitment to improving the city; born in Scotland, John moved to Coventry in the 1980s after being brought up in Hartlepool, where his father played professional football.

Deepak Naik

Trustee
Deepak has over 40 years of experience in the community and voluntary sectors. He is Chair of the United Religion Initiative (UK) Board and runs Together in Action, a charity which builds on the achievements of the Coventry-based Minorities of Europe, over its 15 years of existence.

Emma Kavanagh

Trustee
Emma is co-founder of Piece of Cake, a marketing agency based in Coventry, helping local business owners thrive since 2016, with a mission to empower businesses with creative, personalised marketing strategies that deliver real and lasting impact. She's also on the Board of Destination Coventry.

Gaynor Sharp

Trustee
Gaynor is an independent education consultant in many fields of education including science, philosophy for children, mentoring science and mathematics teachers and working to inspire excellence in school science through the Association for Science Education.

Hazel Pilling

Trustee
Hazel is International Trade and Membership Manager Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and is an experienced leader and manager with an extensive blend of commercial and not-for-profit expertise gained in B2B SME's and professional membership organisations.

Jessica Pinson

Trustee
Jess is a curator and arts producer with 12 years experience working in art galleries and museums. She is also an outdoor arts producer with over 20 years experience, specialising in co-creation with communities, and is Producer for From the Heart Theatre Company.

Manjit Kaur

Trustee
Manjit is an educationalist, member of the Coventry Sacred Space Project, Coventry Multi Faith Forum and Coventry and Warwickshire SACREs; a teacher by profession, with a background is in science, she began her career in Early Years and is semi-retired, but working in the further education sector.

Paul Belfield

Trustee
Following a successful career in banking at Williams & Glyn’s, Royal Bank of Scotland, HBoS, Lloyds & Handelsbanken, Paul retired in 2018. Originally from Macclesfield, he moved to Leamington Spa in 1990 & was Chair of the Heart of England Community Foundation 2013-2017.

Roger Medwell

Trustee
Roger is a former engineer and captain of industry. After joining Courtaulds as an apprentice draughtsman in 1960 he progressed through the ranks to become Chair and Chief Executive of the current NP Aerospace Ltd which continues to trade internationally from its headquarters in Coventry.

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Contact Us

Imagineer Staff

Angus MacKechnie
CEO & Creative Director

Gemma Knight
Transformations Project Manager

Jordan Reading
Operations Assistant

Matt Rheeston
Building Supervisor

Phil Dawson
Finance Manager

Sarah Jerrard-Dinn
Operations and Engagement Manager

Freelance Staff

Andrew Moore
Photographer and Designer

Dave Long
Business Development Officer

Lily Smith
Engagement and Community Connector

Michael Mihoc
Engagement and Community Connector

Nick Lawford
Fundraiser

Board

John McGuigan
Chair

Deepak Naik

Emma Kavanagh

Gaynor Sharp

Hazel Pilling

Jessica Pinson

Louise Richards

Manjit Kaur

Paul Belfield

Roger Medwell