Action Learning Associates

Gary Hills

Gary Hills is based in London and Brussels and is the director of a Brussels-based promotion and arts consultancy company. Gary has around 30 years combined experience of teaching, writing and working across the performing arts sector in an international setting.

Gary now works with both individuals and organisations to help develop all aspects of their business as well as being an arts correspondent, a professional development and training facilitator and a workshop leader. He is also involved at senior level with the international Internet governing body, ICANN and is part-time Secretary-General of the Society of European Affairs Professionals.

Gary has spent many years living and working abroad, including ten years in Dubai when he worked for the ruling family. It was during that time that Gary formed his first professional theatre producing company, which eventually led him to develop his arts management work in Switzerland and Belgium.

Gary was for five years a Vice-Chair of Independent Theatre Council and continues to run the one-day ITC training course 'Touring Abroad', as well as the two-day residential Passport to International Touring for senior arts managers. He is currently working with ITC as an action learning facilitator, having completed his training with Ruth Cook. In 2008, Gary qualified as a personal and executive coach.

Gary is currently working at Farnham Maltings as coach and mentor to the arts centre's associated and supported companies and emerging artists. He is a coach for the Maltings staff as well as senior arts managers as part of the Cultural Leadership Programme and Waverley Creative Alliance. He is mentor to all theatre companies and performers taking part in the Caravan International Showcase at the Brighton Festival as well as a project manager for the National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural.

Gary adds: With my many years of experience in teaching, the media and performing arts management, action learning perfectly matches my idea of how people can best work together to achieve powerful, productive personal and professional development.

I believe this multi-discipline approach, liberally seasoned with international perspective, helps achieve a relaxed, yet dynamic atmosphere. In other words, it helps create a safe environment where creative thinking can take place and where people feel free to direct their own learning.