Our People

Michael Grandage CBE

Chairman

Michael Grandage CBE, is an award-winning director and producer who has created critically acclaimed work in theatre, opera and film. He trained…

Michael Grandage CBE, is an award-winning director and producer who has created critically acclaimed work in theatre, opera and film. He trained at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama where he was also President from 2010 to 2022. He was Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres (1999-2002), Artistic Director of the Donmar (2002-2012) and is currently Artistic Director of the Michael Grandage Company (MGC) where his work has included the films Genius (2016), My Policeman (2022) and in the theatre Orlando (2023),Backstairs Billy (2024). Other works he has directed include Frozen the Musical at Drury Lane and Billy Budd and The Marriage of Figaro at Glyndebourne.

Read moreless

Lord Maurice Saatchi

Founder

Lord Maurice Saatchi founded The Josephine Hart Poetry Foundation in memory of his late wife for the advancement of arts, culture and education, with…

Lord Maurice Saatchi founded The Josephine Hart Poetry Foundation in memory of his late wife for the advancement of arts, culture and education, with a particular focus on poetry, literature and dramatic performance. He is a Governor of the London School of Economics, and Founder of Saatchi & Saatchi. His Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Act was introduced in the House of Lords and received Royal Assent in 2016. In 2023, he wrote Do Not Resuscitate, after his “death". It examined whether he is a fit and proper person to enter the Gates of Heaven. The London Daily Telegraph described it as, “the strangest memoir I have ever read.  Perhaps the strangest book I have ever read”.

Read moreless

Charles Smallwood

Trustee

Monique Henry

Trustee

Dr Mary Wellesley

Director

Dr Mary Wellesley is a writer and historian, whose academic research focuses on medieval manuscripts, but her first love was literature. She…

Dr Mary Wellesley is a writer and historian, whose academic research focuses on medieval manuscripts, but her first love was literature. She read English Literature at Lincoln College, Oxford, before moving to University College London to complete a PhD thesis on 15th-century English poetry. She is passionate about poetry’s transformative power and hopes to expand the Foundation’s educational work.

Read moreless

Arabella Pack

Finance Director

Arabella Pack qualified as a chartered accountant with RSM and has 25 years of accountancy experience in charity, events, retail and services…

Arabella Pack qualified as a chartered accountant with RSM and has 25 years of accountancy experience in charity, events, retail and services sectors. She mainly specialises in SME’s and start-ups and is experienced in all aspects of business including HR, operations and strategy as well as the traditional finance side. She has been a Portfolio Finance Director for the last 9 years with a diverse client base.

Read moreless

Ruby Glasspool

Digital & Operations Director

Ruby Glasspool trained in acting and performance with LAMDA and at university before launching a career production managing large scale television shows…

Ruby Glasspool trained in acting and performance with LAMDA and at university before launching a career production managing large scale television shows all over the world. She then moved into charity management where she has spent the last 14 years project managing small and large charities. Her personal passion is the power of words to communicate meaning and create transformation and she has been a writer since she could first hold a pen. An avid reader, when not working, Ruby can be found with her nose in 'another' book.

Read moreless

Tim Duffy

Trustee

© Copyright 2025 The Josephine Hart Poetry Foundation. A charity registered in England and Wales number 1145062.