Company Directors
Nicola Hollinshead - Founder & Creative Director
Link to my profile
Jake Smith - Director
Jake is a professional fundraiser experienced in generating income for non-for-profit organisations, including leading UK charities such as Cancer Research UK and the Royal British Legion. Born in Manchester and raised in Buckinghamshire, Jake holds a bachelor's degree in History and master's degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Kent. Since April 2021 Jake has been the Fundraising Officer for the Medical Research Foundation, the independent charitable foundation of the Medical Research Council (MRC) and has also previously volunteered with refugees and in international development. In his spare time Jake enjoys running, film, and supports Arsenal FC.
Katharine Markwick - Director
A writer, theatre-maker and creative facilitator, Katharine trained at the London International School of Performing Arts, and has worked in arts, education and humanitarian settings since 2009. As well as creating award-winning devised shows and short films, she has collaborated with organisations including Teach First, A New Direction, the Young Vic, Freshwater Theatre Company, Single Shoe Productions, Cut Moose, Islington Council, Islington People’s Theatre and Park Theatre, where she is currently the lead facilitator for Andover Creative Writers. Since 2016, Katharine has toured internationally with Clowns Without Borders UK, helping to create spaces of laughter, connection and play for children and families living in conflict and crisis situations all over the world.
On Islington People’s Theatre:
My first encounter with Islington People’s Theatre was as a freelance facilitator on Be The Change in 2025. I was delighted to find myself working with a group of remarkably talented, curious and playful people in a wonderfully welcoming and creative space, full of laughter, connection and imagination. I’m thrilled to be joining the IPT team as a director, and I’m looking forward to helping create many more acts of change and resistance, and many collective celebrations of existence, along the road ahead!