Founder

Deborah Bullivant

Deborah is an educationalist, creative 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 and young people.

A background that spans across all fields of education, starting as family learning tutor, then as headteacher before going on to national roles leading on quality in education.  Specialising in literacy, Deborah’s consistent focus is on creative educational approaches to narrow the gap for marginalised children, young people and adults.  Deborah’s own career path has not followed the traditional routes but has equipped her with insider experience of tackling the steep learning curve that she draws on.  Deborah has an MEd in Educational Management and MEd in Literacy and Language with the University of Sheffield and is currently finalising research for the EdD.

Design Directors

Side by Side

Side by Side are the designers behind Grimm & Co. From the branding and packaging, to the interior design and experience.

Outside of the magical realm they run a studio in Sheffield. They believe in good design for good people.

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:  Sarah Dunwell

An experienced social entrepreneur, Sarah works with businesses and charities that want to combine commercially successful business activities with significant social impact.  Through her consultancy business, Arena Partners, she advises corporates, local authorities, infrastructure organisations and philanthropists on how to maximise their impact.

Vice Chair:  Lisa Pogson

Joint Managing Director at Airmaster, Mechanical Services Experts, based in South Yorkshire. She is also President at Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce.

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 the founding 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.

Philippa Sanderson

KPMG Head of South Yorkshire region.  As well as looking after KPMG’s relationships with a wide range of regional businesses, by profession Philippa is a chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser.

Charlotte Dimond

Sidekick PR Director.  Chartered PR Practitioner with over 19 years communications experience. Adviser in all aspects of communication to senior executives (private, public and third sector).

Jon Sawyer

Chartered Surveyor and Director of Housing and Residential Growth for Manchester City Council.

Side by Side

Side by Side are the designers behind Grimm & Co. From the branding and packaging, to the interior design and experience.

Outside of the magical realm they run a studio in Sheffield. They believe in good design for good people.

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.

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.

Ian McMillan

Writer, Poet, BBC presenter, journalist, broadcaster and solo performer.  Ian hosts the BBC Radio 3 programme, The Verb.  Ian lives in Barnsley and performs around the UK.  He also writes weekly columns for the Yorkshire Post and Barnsley Chronicle.

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.