Founder

Dr Deborah Bullivant MBE

Deborah is an educationalist and social entrepreneur who built Grimm & Co on a bedrock of robust research, that set out the design and philosophy blueprint for a successful Yorkshire writing centre based in Rotherham, for children, young people and to support those who influence their development.

Deborah has a background that started in community education, then as headteacher, before going on to national educational leadership and advisory roles.  Specialising in literacy, Deborah champions arts-based learning approaches to narrow the gap for marginalised children, young people and adults.  Deborah’s own career path didn’t start well, as personal circumstances meant leaving school early with no qualifications and challenges that affected her opportunities.  However, although it wasn’t a traditional route, this lived experience has equipped her with insider experience that she draws on for her work.

Deborah achieved a Doctor of Education (University of Sheffield) in 2022, with a thesis examining the origins of an arts-based signature pedagogy, with Grimm & Co at the heart of the research.

In June 2022, Deborah was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours List, for her dedication to improving children’s life chances by raising literacy levels.

Writer in Residence

Jeremy Dyson

Writer and director for stage, television and film, best known as the non-performing member of comedy group The League of Gentlemen. His film credits include Ghost Stories, co-written and directed with Andy Nyman.

Chair:  Lisa Pogson

Managing Director at Airmaster, Mechanical Services Experts, based in South Yorkshire. Lisa is Past President at Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce; Chair of the Business Growth Board (RMBC Rotherham Together Partnership) and a Freeman at the Cutlers Company in Hallamshire.  She is a STEM ambassador and Enterprise Advisor locally and she has a passion for stories of all types.

Jeremy Dyson

Writer and director for stage, television and film.  Jeremy is best known for Writing and directing the stage play and film Ghost Stories and for co-writing the hit TV comedy series and stage production, The League of Gentlemen.

Professor Jane Hodson

Professor in English Language and Literature at the University of Sheffield.  Jane leads on a range of academic developments within the university and has extended her wealth of knowledge and experience on research and development to chair Grimm & Co’s sub-group of the board.

Steve Dearden

Writer, producer and Director of The Writing Squad, the development programme for young writers in the north of England.  Steve has extensive experience in business, strategic and operational planning that he shares with Grimm & Co as a trustee.

Oliver Mantell

Director of Policy Research at the Audience Agency.  Oliver brings a wealth of experience in policy, research, marketing, communications and much more to the Grimm & Co board.

Charlotte Dimond

Charlotte is director of storytelling at Sidekick PR. She works with private, public and third sector organisations to help them to get the most out of their communication both internally and externally. She is an award winning communicator who focuses on strategic communication and crisis communication. Charlotte is also an associate lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University and a South Yorkshire Magistrate. A great believer in lifelong learning, Charlotte is currently undertaking a PhD at Leeds Beckett University.

Naz Shabir

Legal Director and Head of Legal for AESSEAL, an international design and manufacturing company specialising in mechanical seals. Naz has lived and worked in Rotherham pretty much his whole life and is passionate about ensuring both literacy and the arts are expressed freely and openly by children. Having extensive knowledge surrounding policies, compliance and legal matters, he adds a different perspective to the Board.

Joanne Harris (MBE)

Award winning writer.  Joanne Harris (MBE) was born in Barnsley and was a teacher for fifteen years, during which time she published three novels, including Chocolat (1999), which was made into an Oscar-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp.

Paul Clayton

Actor, Director, Presentation Skills, Tutor, Communication Skills Facilitator and Speaker Coach. Paul is well known from many television appearances. A long and variedtheatre career. Over 200 plays as actor or director.

Sir Paul Collier (CBE)

Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government and Director of the Centre for the Study of African Economies & author.

Abi Elphinstone

Author of Sky Song and the Dreamsnatcher trilogy, Abi spent time as a teacher before leaving to pursue writing full time. She still works closely with schools, is passionate about children’s literacy and we were thrilled when she joined Grimm & Co as a patron in June 2018. When not writing, she travels the world looking for her next story, hides in treehouses, meets eagle huntresses and builds dens.

Mark Gatiss

Screenwriter, novelist, actor and comedian.  Mark is one quarter of the League of Gentlemen comedy team, and was keen to be involved with Grimm & Co after a visit with writer-in-residence, Jeremy Dyson.

Chris Mould

Author/illustrator/scribblemaniac Chris has beautifully illustrated many books, including The Truth Pixie (written by Matt Haig) and The Iron Man (by Ted Hughes).  Working from his studio hidden in the depths of Dean Clough Mills, Chris creates works of wonder that bring stories to life in the most magical ways.

Contributor: Sir Bob Geldof, singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist.

Side by Side

Side by Side were the original designers behind Grimm & Co. From the branding and packaging, to the interior design and experience, Dave Greasley and Oliver Booth were integral to the creation of the amazing magical spaces within the Grimm & Co realm.

Ministry of Stories’ Family

Grimm & Co are part of the Ministry of Stories family and as such have received support from founding directors, Ben Payne and Lucy Macnab who created the first model of this kind in England, found behind the secret door in Hoxton Street Monster Supplies.

Their supporters (including Alistair Hall of We Made This) and trustees (Sue Horner) have provided excellent advice to us in our early developments and made us feel part of this fantastic family. Little Green Pig (Brighton) are another sibling and we enjoy sharing/networking and partnering.