Pauline Tambling

Pauline worked in the arts and creative industries from 1983 to 2018. Before retirement she was Chief Executive of Creative & Cultural Skills, the UK sector skills council for craft, design, cultural heritage, music, performing arts, literature and the visual arts, where she also ran the National Skills Academy, a national network of Further Education Colleges working with the creative industries. She was part of creating High House Production Park, a regeneration project in Thurrock where she was responsible for the building and fundraising of The Backstage Centre, a training and rehearsal space co- located with the Royal Opera House’s production and costume making workshops.

Previously Pauline set up and ran the Royal Opera’s Education Programme and worked in senior roles at Arts Council England. She has held many non-executive roles in the arts and education sectors and is currently a trustee of the Fashion Retail Academy, Creative Lives and the Masterclass Trust.

Pauline was awarded a CBE in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to education and training in the cultural sector.