TRUSTEES

TRUSTEES

NICHOLAS MCINERNY BA -CHAIR OF TRUSTEES: Nicholas is one of life’s enthusiasts. Passionate about the arts and how they can change lives, he brings to the Board an obsession with music first born in the dusty corridors of a boarding school where it became a passport to another world. He is a professional writer with over 75 credits to his name in TV, Radio, Film and Stage, in his teaching which has taken him to Universities up and down the Country, teaching on Youth Projects for Tara Arts and Masterclass at Theatre Royal Haymarket as well as designing Online Courses for Life Long Learning at Oxford University. Experienced Board member of Writernet and Chair of Script; Arts Council funded Agencies dedicated to developing and promoting new writing.

HAZEL CHANDLER, MBE, MA- co-founded WAYout with her son Michael. She spends 6 months of the year in Sierra Leone running WAYout and in 2022 she was awarded the MBE for her work.  She has 25 years experience as an award winning documentary filmmaker for most major broadcasters. Hazel is CEO of Wilderness Productions and has a long term interest in how the arts can heal, explore human rights issues and promote mental health, having trained as a psychiatric nurse before becoming a filmmaker. In Sierra Leone she has organised film festivals and workshops and her skills range from setting up the first independent broadcasting company in Romania to media adviser to the UNFAO during the Ebola crisis. The ‘Corporations on Trial’ series for Al Jazeera was voted one of the network’s top achievements. Hazel is now dedicated full time to WAYout

ASHLEY MINTO (2013) Ashley’s life-long passion for music is perfectly placed at WAYout.  He is one of the founders and directors of Music is Life PR, a team that supported and promoted many up-and-coming talents and UK musicians. With over 20 years as a professional DJ and presenter, working in clubs and on radio stations across the UK. Ashley has worked in events management and promotion; marketing, managing sites and digital marketing and social media strategies to sales and distribution with national and international companies PIAS, Virgin and HMV. Ashley has been supporting WAYout’s work since its inception -marketing and fundraising. He brings his passion, belief and first hand experience in the power of engaging in music and creative opportunities to the Board – as well as his excellent and critical ear for a good beat!

HARRISON COLDRAY (2023) Senior government policy adviser with a track record of designing and delivering extensive funding projects for the civil society sector, focusing on how to increase access to finance for charities across all areas. Has led complex research projects (professional and academic) in the UK and overseas in East Africa, with a real passion for getting to the root of evidence-led change. Experienced communicator with a background as a professional public speaker, and a passion for acting on stage in his spare time.

TONY PLETTS (2024)Tony is a great believer in cross cultural communication and of how the arts can transform those who engage in the creative process. Tony founded his art direction and set building company Einstein’s Octopus in 1987, which has worked for 100’s of clients ranging from Prada to Damien Hirst, Oxfam to U2. A life in the precarious contact by contract world of the film industry has allowed Tony time to pursue his great loves of travelling and documentation, with visits to over 60 countries. His BBC Radio 4 mini series on North Korea was nominated for a Sony in 2005. As a photographer Tony has regularly worked for The Chemical Brothers with images appearing on 12’ singles, CD’s and in exhibitions. He has won competitions for his writing, been published in numerous magazines and has recently written his first book. Tony also facilitates Grief Tending workshops (from a West African lineage) with his wife Sarah.

RAKIE AYOLA (2025) is a producer and critically acclaimed actress who grew up in the Ely district of Cardiff, She is of Sierra Leonean and Nigerian descent. She is recipient of a BAFTA Best Supporting Actress Award, a BAFTA Cymru Best Actress Award and the BAFTA Cymru Sian Phillips Award. Rakie’s theatrical credits span major productions including On Bear Ridge (recipient of a Black British Theatre Award for Best Female Performance). She is also known for playing Hermione Granger in the West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. A powerful voice for diversity in the arts, Rakie co-founded Shanty Productions in 2017 and served as trustee or patron for causes like the Actor’s Children’s Trust (ACT) and the Childhood Tumour Trust. She continues to speak passionately on creating meaningful roles for women over 40 and championing arts accessibility.