Our Trustees
Find out more about some of our Trustees.
Photo Credit: Lizzie Coombes
Cluny Macpherson - Chair
Cluny has spent the majority of his working life supporting the development of cultural activity in Leeds and Yorkshire. His most recent job was as Chief Officer for Culture and Sport at Leeds City Council where he helped bring the Tour de France to Yorkshire, and initiated and developed LEEDS 2023, the city’s year of culture. Museums and galleries were also part of Cluny’s responsibilities so he knows the service well, and holds its staff and work in high esteem.
Before that, Cluny was Regional Director (Yorkshire) for Arts Council England in a period when the Arts Council assumed strategic responsibility for Museums in England.
Cluny currently spends his time on various cultural projects (including as vice-chair of Leeds Conservatoire), caring for his disabled daughter, and indulging his passion for wildlife and wildlife photography. Cluny’s excited to be involved at the start of the new Trust and looks forward to working alongside other trustees to help it succeed.
Rhian Roberts
Rhian works as Engagement Officer for Arts and Culture for the North York Moors National Park; she is the curator of the Inspired by… gallery at Danby Lodge National Park Centre. She also works across the National Park on public sculpture projects and community co-creation and engagement.
She previously managed the learning department at Scarborough Museums and Galleries.
Rhian is passionate about making museums, art and education accessible to everyone.
Leeds Museums and Galleries has been a big part of Rhian’s life, and she feels privileged to be a small part of its future.
Gilda Smith-Leigh - Treasurer
Gilda is enthusiastically bringing to the Leeds Museum and Galleries Development Trust over 2 decades of experience that spans the private, public, voluntary and third sector.
Currently, Gilda is employed by Leeds City Council as an Innovation Manager (Business and Skills), developing and delivering strategic programmes by partnering with others to drive ambitious, inclusive, positive changes in the Leeds innovation ecosystem.
Gilda is Co-Director of Sleigh Services Ltd, a Leeds based company dedicated to empowering people to better understand mental health and to be financially literate.
Mark Westgarth
Mark is Professor of History of the Art Market at the University of Leeds, where he has been a student and academic for almost 30 years. From 2015 until 2022 Mark was Chair of the Leeds Art Fund, established 1912, one of the oldest museum and art gallery acquisitions charities in the UK.
Mark is currently also Chair of the Museums & Galleries History Group, founder and Director of the Centre for the Study of the Art & Antiques Market in the School of Fine Art, History of Art & Cultural Studies and a curator, having curated the exhibition SOLD! The Great British Antiques Story at The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle in 2019, and more recently Part of the Furniture: the Library of John Bedford at the Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery at the University of Leeds in 2024.
Having worked closely with Leeds Museums & Galleries during Mark’s work as academic and tutor at the University for 25 years, and Mark is honoured and pleasured to join the new Leeds Museums & Galleries Trust as a Trustee.
Adam Sykes
Adam is a Tech Champion for CRM and Box Office Ticketing at the Digital Culture Network, where he provides free digital advice and support to creative and cultural organisations across England. His work focuses on helping organisations make better use of digital technology to improve systems, strengthen audience relationships, and support long-term sustainability.
Adam previously worked as Assistant Ticketing Manager at Leeds City Council, where he collaborated closely with Leeds Museums and Galleries. This role gave him valuable insight into the operational realities of large cultural organisations and reinforced his commitment to the museum and gallery sector. Based in Leeds, Adam is passionate about the city’s culture and the role museums and galleries play within it. He values the opportunity to work closely with organisations he cares about and is motivated by the chance to make a meaningful impact through his skills, experience, and enthusiasm for the sector.
Chelsea Martin
Chelsea is a partner and solicitor based in the private client team at Wrigleys Solicitors. She loves living in a city with such a vibrant arts, music and culture scene, and she enjoys getting out and exploring the Leeds libraries, galleries and museums with her daughter. Chelsea really appreciates that Leeds is a Child Friendly City and has a lot of accessible and family-friendly activities and hopes that her daughter will grow up with a love of the arts and culture. Chelsea previously acted as a trustee for a small charity in York, which focused on providing advocacy services to older people and she is excited to join the Leeds Museums & Galleries Trust as a trustee.
Judith McAra
Judith brings extensive business experience to the Board. She operated her own legal practice as a solicitor in Leeds for over 30 years with her husband, undertaking both private and publicly funded work. After her retirement in 2019, she developed her Trusteeship with Leeds Women’s Aid and became Vice Chair. She has initiated and supported grant applications and chaired the Governance sub-committee. Judith has a life-long love of museums and galleries, both national and smaller more local venues. She visited museums in and around Halifax from a young age and wants to ensure that her enjoyment and experience is available to all youngsters in Leeds, as well as their families. Accessibility for all is important to her. The Pre-Raphaelite exhibition at the Tate in 1984 was one of her most memorable early adult experiences. It set her alight and she has been exploring art and culture all over the world and locally since. She is married and has two daughters in their thirties who also live with their families in Leeds.