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Verena Cornwall, specialist in circus, street theatre and carnival

I attended my degree course degree in Television and Theatre as a single parent as my son was two years old when I started and the Elizabeth Nuffield Educational Fund came to my assistance in the last year of my studies, helping with childcare costs. Prior to this I had been volunteering and later working in the world of the performing arts on a low wage and needed to plan a career. Following the completion of my degree I was headhunted to set up and then run a new circus training school, the first in the UK to obtain accreditation for its students. Alongside this I took on duties as a trustee for a number of charitable organisations as a strategic move to build on my management skills.

Noting the value of a portfolio of experience, I began to undertake short pieces of consultancy work outside of main work time. My next career move was to a role as director of a struggling regional arts centre, which with a new complement of staff I turned around. At this juncture in time I also became founding Chair of Circus Arts Forum, the national advocacy agency for circuses. This role has seen me undertake extensive international travel to discuss issues relating to the art form with key players overseas.

After the arts centre I was headhunted once again, this time by one of the largest museum groups in England, where I became the youngest serving director - in the UK and USA. After three years in this role, having worked with teams to create three new capital projects, I was approached by Arts Council England to undertake a piece of strategic consultancy. This lead to setting up my own management consultancy company, specialising in circus, street theatre and carnival. I now travel across Europe, enjoying the flexibility of working for myself and can look back on a long rewarding career.

Last Updated Thu, 6 July 2006