The International Centre for Life is governed by a Board of Trustees who contribute their time and expertise to help ensure that Life fulfils its mission.
Take a look at the 2020 Trustees' Report and Financial Statements for further information:
Fiona Cruickshank OBE, Chair
Angel investor and founder of pharmaceutical manufacturing businesses
"As a mum coming to Life, my kids have had birthday parties here, been ice skating, attended school workshops and been wowed by countless exhibitions. In a business capacity, I’ve come to Life to attend and host meetings; to network at special events, such as a live broadcast of Radio 4's Any Questions?; and I've helped to train scientists who’ve gone on to work at Life. As Chair, it is an enormous privilege to help steer Life for the years ahead."
Trustees
Professor Joris Veltman
Professor Jane Robinson
“Life creatively combines world-leading science with education in a way that is fun and relevant for people of all ages and background. It shows what we can achieve when we work together.”
Lucy Winskell OBE DL
Professor Roy Sandbach OBE
Paul Smith
Councillor Irim Ali
Liz Mayes
Emerita Professor Katie Bushby
Senior Management Team
Linda Conlon MBE DL, Chief Executive
Linda is one of the original team who helped transform a once derelict area of Newcastle into the vibrant science village of Life. She’s now one of the most respected figures in the international science centre community, travelling all over the world to give lectures and advise other bodies on setting up science centres. She has contributed to many boards and external organisations, one of the most significant being the Association of Science and Technology Centres (ASTC) – the US-based professional body that represents more than 600 science centres from over 50 countries. That’s quite an accolade for a Newcastle-based business leader with no science background! In 2016, Linda was awarded an MBE for her outstanding service to science and science education in North East England.
Claire Adams, Property and Corporate Services Director
With a legal career in the public and private sector – latterly specialising in commercial land matters and regeneration – Claire is the director responsible for the Centre’s diverse property portfolio, its income generation and its upkeep (no mean task!) and for keeping our tenants happy. Property provides vital income for the Centre, as it receives no funding from local or central government – we follow the motto ‘there’s no mission without the margin’. Claire’s responsibilities also include corporate governance matters and human resources. In effect, Claire is the person who does the regulatory stuff as well as the hiring and (hopefully not very often) the firing, too.
Natalie Daring, Science Engagement Director
Natalie is responsible for leading the Public Engagement and Education teams, creating exciting, engaging and inspiring science experiences for our visitors and school groups. She is passionate about nurturing brilliant communicators and the power of science engagement to enable people to unlock their potential. Natalie also oversees Life’s community work, with partners including the North East Autism Society, West End Schools' Trust and African Community Action North East. Natalie has more than 15 years' experience of working in science museums, festivals and cultural venues across the UK – a career that started right here at Life as a recent biomedical science graduate of Newcastle University!
Liz Dean, Trading and Operations Director
Being in charge of trading and operations means that every day is different. Trading covers all commercial activities, including the ice rink, concerts in Times Square and weddings. Commercial activities provide further income for the Centre to help achieve its charitable mission. Operations covers the day-to-day running of the Centre, ensuring we're open on time, everything is working, toilets are clean, staff are ready to rock. Liz is also in charge of health and safety site-wide. Because of the nature of the role, with many fingers in lots of different pies, Liz works closely with her fellow Directors.
Julia Hankin, Marketing and Communications Director
Whether it's marketing dinosaurs, exhibitions of dead bodies or robots, or organising visits by astronauts, Nobel Prize-winning scientists or prime ministers, Julia has the T-shirt(s). She's responsible for all areas of marketing and communications for Life including the Science Centre, the wider public engagement and schools programmes, plus the promotion of commercial activities including Life Meetings and Events. She’s also tasked with raising awareness of the wider on-site activities and, given the range and breadth of activities, that’s a challenge. Julia has extensive marketing experience in education, industry and tourism and spent 14 years with the BBC as a radio presenter.
Kate Little, Finance Director
Kate looks after all aspects of the financial health of the Trust and its subsidiary commercial company. From overseeing the day-to-day finances, to planning investment strategy, meeting statutory reporting and filing obligations, ensuring adequate insurance cover, tax planning and cash flow – there’s not much that Kate can’t achieve when armed with a calculator and a spreadsheet! Kate spent many years in practice (as a partner in two local practices, Rainbow Gillespie and Haines Watts North East) before moving into the not-for-profit sector in 2010. Kate has a degree in biotechnology, making her career move to Life a "coming-full-circle" story.
