O’Hara, Ellen Creative and Cultural Strategist

Ellen O’Hara is a freelance creative and cultural strategist, SFEDI accredited coach, facilitator and published researcher. Working with creative people and organisations, she applies coaching techniques, startup methodology and design thinking to foster a more entrepreneurial approach to leadership and change. She is an advisor for Creative Industry Finance where she supports businesses to develop growth plans and access alternative finance and she regularly works with the British Council to design and deliver enterprise and business development programmes for the arts.

Ellen was previously Head of Business Development at award-winning craft incubator Cockpit Arts, where she designed and implemented the business incubation processes and programmes. She previously worked for The Prince’s Trust, Arts Council England and Andersens management consultancy. Ellen is Fellow of the RSA and an Arts Council supported Clore Leadership Fellow 2014/15. She is also co-founder and editor at City Writers Room, a place for writing about people, places and ideas on the theme of city.