Board members, patrons and founders
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.
Grimm & Co’s Trustees
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
Safeguarding Trustee
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.
Professor Lauren Rea MBE
Professor of Latin American Studies at the University of Sheffield. Lauren’s research specialisms include children’s literacy and children’s culture. Alongside her academic role, she works on creative projects with children’s content producers in Argentina.
Dan Whetstone
Dan has helped create inspirational places to shop and eat all over the world and brings a lifetime of design and branding experience to Grimm & Co. He describes himself as a practical creative and has spent a lot of his working life making impossible creative ideas a reality. From boardrooms to classrooms, he believes in the power of stories, however they are told.
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.
Phil Turner
Owner of Blind Mice Media Ltd and Meze Publishing Ltd, companies that specialize in publishing both cookbooks across the world, and two magazines; unLTD Business and Exposed, which promote businesses in the South Yorkshire region. Phil is passionate about books and the important role they play in educating our children and allowing them to express themselves, as well as to learn and understand the world around them.
Kate Fergusson
Kate is a qualified solicitor with an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics and over 17 years of experience leading diversity and inclusion, fundraising and volunteering programmes within the corporate sector. Kate works as Director of Responsible Business and Sustainability for law firm, Irwin Mitchell, and is a fellow of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability. Kate grew up in Rotherham and has been a passionate supporter of Grimm and Co. for many years, with regular visits to the magical apothecary being a memorable part of her own children’s upbringing.
Patrons
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.
Original Design and Creation – Principal Consultants/Advisors
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.
Our supporters and partners
- Dave Eggers – author and founder of 826 Valencia.
- 826 National
- The Ministry of Stories, East London
- Steve & Mandy Eyre of Stirling Solutions/World of Super Heroes/Sterling Commodities
- Interserve Learning and Employment – Gifted labour and funds to help create the centre
- Yorkshire Tile Company – Gifted significant volume & quality resources & tiles to create various space around the centre
- Jack Green (Metal and Dust) – creation of art work for Grimm & Co’s Apothecary
- Chris Bilton – Local artist and illustrator has dedicated time and talent to support the creation of the new centre
- Open Path – Created and populated our original website and social media development
- Lewis James (Illustrator) – Gifted around 30 days of time to develop the centre and to illustrate the storybooks for children
- James Brown (photographer) – donates time and expertise to produce beautiful images for website and publications
- Airmaster UK – removal of old air conditioning units and ongoing donation support
- Emily Redfearn — Handwritten typography signage, and design support
- Willmott Dixon – significant building work and creation/fit of the secret door
- Merlin Software – gifted till system, software and support to the charity to help set up the retail arm
- Lord Whitney – Imagination design for Grimm’s office and support with retail dressing
- AES Seal – Initial donation
- The Workshop – donations of a variety of resources and human support
- Ashton Associates – support and book donations
- Human Recruitment – HR set up support
- Taylor Tuxford Associates (Rhys Taylor)
- Helena Dolby – photographer, supporting Grimm & Co
- Abi Vanhoorebeek – Architecture support for the scope of the building
- Beatson Clark – Gift of glassware/props
- Roanna Wells – Wandmaker
- Dave Doyle, Christine Turner, Sheffield Hallam University volunteers, the University of Sheffield volunteers
- Karndean & Carpet Design Flooring
- Creative Juice – Helping with initial ideas
- Annie Bowman
- Various individual and corporate sponsors across projects for Grimm & Co – see individual projects for details…
& the many volunteers who gift time and talent to support us in our shop, delivery and across our work.