Paul Grover
Chief Executive
Having trained as an architect and spent five years teaching Architecture, Paul joined the inspirational Architecture Foundation in London in 1997.  Here he ran the highly successful 'Creative Spaces' programme, a model for public participation in urban design projects which featured in Lord Rogers' Towards an Urban Renaissance (www.creativespaces.org.uk).  Following this he became the founding Director of the Glass-House, an organisation offering training, grants and design support to people in areas undergoing major changes (www.theglasshouse.org.uk). In December 2005 Paul was named as one of Cabe's Festive Fives in recognition of his 'consistent championing of the importance of good Architecture and Urban Design'.


Mark Drury
Director of Arts and Education
Mark trained as a Graphic Designer at De Montfort University, Leicester and then as a teacher in Cardiff.  He has been Head of Art at 2 secondary schools in Hampshire and had responsibility for public relations, marketing and fundraising at his last school.  Mark has run his own freelance graphic design business, lectured in photography at FE College and even owned a coffee shop.  He took up the position of Director of Arts and Education for the Solent Centre in February 2005.  Mark is a keen cyclist and outdoor enthusiast and lives with his partner and 2 dogs in the New Forest.


Rosie Danby
Projects Coordinator
Rosie graduated in July 2006 from Portsmouth University after completing her Professional Diploma in Architecture (RIBA Part 2). She started working at the Solent Centre part-time during her studies and decided to take a more permanent role upon graduating to become a projects coordinator. Rosie has a keen interest in the design of public buildings and spaces which she developed during her time at Hampshire County Architects and further in her post-graduate thesis project set in the city of Venice. In her spare time Rosie enjoys exploring the great outdoors, sailing and travelling the world whenever possible.

Matt Dunkinson
Projects Coordinator/Artist in Residence
After completing a BA(hons) Degree in Editorial Photography in 2005 at Carlisle Instistute of the Arts, Matt has been working as a freelance photographer.  Providing stock images for New Forest District Council, covered various project work run by the Solent Centre, commercial photography, and PR work.  He has also undertaken administrative work using digital mapping software for Totton Town Council.  Matt enjoys running, wildlife photography, course fishing, and exhibiting personal work in and around the New Forest area.

Phil Smith
Projects Coordinator
Phil has a degree in fine art and a post graduate teaching qualification. He spent 10 years in the advertising industry as a photographer before moving into the public sector organising photographic education projects and exhibitions. He has taught photography to people of all ages at all levels in the formal and informal education sector.  Phil worked at Arts Council England from 1996 and was most recently Head of Visual Arts at the South East office until he left to pursue freelance work in 2006. Freelance projects have included a period as interim CEO of a music charity and work on commissioning art in the public realm. When not working he attempts to parent two teenagers, enjoys cycling, climbing, hill walking, the arts in general and still harbours ambitions to become a world famous bass player.

John Vickerstaff
Office Manager
John graduated from UEA in Norwich with a degree in Chemistry, then spent 22 years working in management jobs in high tech/electronic industries. His experience was wide, ranging from controlling production lines making intravenous solutions and power transistors, to customer support and business development in the computer service industry. He then reinvented himself as an environmentalist, following up a major personal interest in practical conservation, by working at the Environment Centre in Southampton for 12 years, growing it’s activities and staff significantly.  He joined the Solent Centre in February 2005, providing all of the back office functions and support needed by the rest of the staff.  Outside the office he enjoys reading, growing his own vegetables and walking in the country.