Claire Whitaker Cbe

Claire Whitaker CBE serves as the CEO of Southampton Forward since April 2023 and has held the position of Non Executive Director at Aster Group UK since September 2021, where responsibilities include being a main board member, chair of the Customer and Communities Network Committee, and a member of the Audit Committee. Claire is a trustee at the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, contributing to initiatives that empower disadvantaged individuals, with a focus on young people and the arts. Additional roles include board membership at Seriously Inclusive, independent membership on the Governing Body for Arts University Bournemouth, and previous leadership as CEO of Southampton Culture Trust. Claire's extensive experience in the cultural sector includes being a bid director for Southampton's City of Culture 2025 and a long tenure with Serious, noted for producing international music events. Education includes an MA in Cultural Leadership from City, University of London.