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The Executive Team work closely with the Board of Trustees to turn the Guild's vision and strategy from the written word into a tangible reality.
EXECUTIVE TEAM
The executive team help ensure your voices are heard and that our operations are aligned with our mission to inspire, preserve, and grow our quilting community.
Our Chief Executive, Connie is responsible for the day to day operations of the charity and five core steering committees: Membership, Activities, Volunteering, Education and the Quilt Collection.
The executive team serve an initial term of 2 years, afterwhich it will be reviewed annually for renewal.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Connie Rayner
Connie became Chief Executive in August 2023, and before that was our Marketing Manager and Deputy CEO.
With a deep commitment to both the organisation and its people, Connie led a transformational review of operations, resulting in a strategy that focuses on expanding the Quilt Collection and strengthening our dynamic community of quilters and stitchers.
Her unique approach to ‘work-life-work again’ balance, allows Connie to remain an approachable and visible leader, always prioritising face-to-face time with members and volunteers.
CHAIR OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Judi Kirk
Judi has developed a profound dedication to patchwork and quilting over the past 30 years, greatly enriching her understanding of the community's unique bonds. Judi has contributed to the Guild's Region 2 committee in several capacities and now engages globally as a quilt lecturer, teacher, and judge.
As Chair of Events and Activities, Judi is responsible for overseeing the planning, coordination, and execution of the Guild’s key events and activities. This includes flagship events such as the Festival of Quilts at the NEC, the January Online Retreat, the Guild’s AGM, plus other national initiatives.
CHAIR OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES
Adelle Lindsay
As an active quilter and coordinator for Traditional Group who has juggled multiple roles, Adelle understands the challenges our volunteers have, and the importance of a safe space and a listening ear for everyone.
As Chair of Volunteer Support, Adelle will be creating a supportive environment and will work collaboratively to address the needs of our diverse volunteer community. This is a leadership and advisory position that seeks to elevate the volunteer experience across the Guild focusing on facilitation, collaboration, and support.
FOR MORE INFORMATION DOWNLOAD THE ROLE DESCRIPTION HERE
CHAIR OF EDUCATION
Jenny Hall
Having held several senior leadership positions in her working career and as a volunteer, Jenny has long been a dedicated, effective, and motivational force within the Guild. During her time as a Trustee Jenny stepped in to lead our Education Portfolio.
Now on the Executive Board, Jenny will continue to oversee our education programs, including the development of our National Qualification courses, workshops, and quilt judging initiatives. Her leadership helps ensure the Guild remains at the forefront of quilt education.
CHAIR OF THE QUILT COLLECTION
Heather Audin
Heather Audin; historian, costume & textiles enthusiast, author, and sometimes maker -has been curator of The Quilt Collection for 15 years. Heather has authored three books: Patchwork and Quilting in Britain (2013), Making Victorian Costumes for Women (2015) and Forty: The Evolution of a Collection (2019), and curated over 50 exhibitions on patchwork and quilting.
As Chair of the Quilt Collection, Heather leads the team responsible for the preservation, documentation and celebration of the Quilt Collection. This role involves managing the committee’s activities, ensuring alignment with the Guild’s overarching objectives and acting as a key liaison between the Quilt Collection Committee and the Executive board.
CHAIR OF FOQ LTD
Elizabeth Ingle
Over the years Elizabeth has held a number of senior leadership roles for the Guild, from her time as a regional committee member, through to Trustee, and now as chair of board for FOQ Limited, her commitment has been boundless.
As Chair of the Board and a Director of FOQ Ltd, Elizabeth's role is to oversee Quiltworks, our online store, as well as coordinate various commercial initiatives such as the January Online Retreat. Her experience as a Marketeer continues to be hugely impactful for the staff and volunteer teams.
STAFF TEAM
The Quilters' Guild have a small but mighty staff team of 7 based at the registered office in York. The staff are in place to help, whether you are a member or volunteer they're on-hand Monday to Friday for support.
MEMBER AND VOLUNTEER SERVICES
Whatever it is you need help with, its likely that you’ll need to call on Carol and Alice – between them, there’s nothing they can’t help you with!
Together, they provide first-class support and service to all of our members and volunteers, ensuring everyone has a positive experience.
As the primary liaison for members and volunteers, they are there to add a little vibrancy to the community through consistent, clear, and supportive communication. They’re also there to listen to your feedback so we can continually refine our service.
Carol - Chair of Membership Services
Quilt maker and Guild oracle. The fountain of knowledge and know-how. She's your go to person Wednesday to Friday 9am - 5pm.
Combining 2 roles, Chair of Membership Services and Membership and Volunteer Services Coordinator, Carol aims to offer the best possible support to our Members and Volunteers.
Alice
Modest yet mighty. Can be found dedicating her heart and soul to members and volunteers Monday to Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Marketing & Commercial
If you’re looking for help with promotion, these two are your go-to girls!
Victoria focusses on the website and social media. If you’re looking for some help with your social media, or want something promoted on the Guild’s main Instagram & other social channels, ping her an email. If you’ve got pics to share or videos we can use please send them over!
Katy focusses on the written word, she sends the central Guild e-newsletters as well as the Regional and SIG MailChimp emails. Katy is also Editor of The Quilter and loves a good story. She’s an avid quilter herself so loves to know what everyone else is getting up to.
Both of them love a little bit of behind the scenes information so keep them updated with as much as you want to share!
Katy
Editor extraordinaire, head of story telling and other fun stuff. Guiding our office quilt culture Tuesday to Friday 9am - 5pm
Victoria
Social butterfly & content creator, and all things online. Frequently found thinking outside the box, at her desk Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
Finance Team
From dealing with endless receipts to handling invoice enquiries, our team for all things finance keep everything in cheque - see what we did there!? ;)
Alongside our Guild Treasurer, Jane, Anne our accountant, and Sarah, our Bookkeeper - these are the only names you'll need to know if your query is finance related.
Sarah
Sarah is our Money Maestro and Beankeeper, our counting consultant and reserved reconciler is in the office Tuesday to Friday.
Anne
A volunteer accountant for an organisation the size of ours is unheard of, we are blessed to have Anne in this role.
