Founder and award-winning artistic director of the Fierce Festival, Mark has recently been appointed to the Southbank Centre Board and in January 2008 takes up a new role as Head of Events and Exhibitions at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Mark is a Clore Fellow, a Board Member of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry and in 2005 was named the Institute of Directors (IoD) Young Director of the Year. Mark is also a member of the Events and Festivals Theme Group, Advantage West Midlands and a Founder Member of Live Art UK, a national network of professional contemporary arts venues and promoters. Mark is the founding member of Creative Republic.