Our Team & Board

David Porter is an architect who designed housing for Camden Council then in the Netherlands. He became head of the Mackintosh School of Architecture and, as such, part the executive team at the Glasgow School of Art. He then commuted between Highgate and Beijing where he taught urbanism and creative research at the Central Academy of Fine Art and, when in London, was president of the Architectural Association, chairing its board of trustees. He is preparing a book celebrating the modern domestic architecture of Highgate as evidence of its pioneering spirit and working on a video-movie about the changing street life of modern Beijing – everyday life as performance. He lives three minutes from Jacksons Lane.

Adrian is Artistic Director of the UK’s leading circus and arts centre, Jacksons Lane. As a venue director and programmer, Adrian has worked with the National Theatre, Stratford Circus, the Albany and Trinity amongst many others. He is a producer, writer and director and wrote and directed the successful production From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads. He has produced circus work nationally and internationally, as well as representing the UK at circus festivals around the globe.

Adrian is also a bass player and songwriter for the BBC6 supported band Alberteen.

Hannah Cox is Executive Director and Joint CEO of Jacksons Lane. She is an experienced participatory arts producer and programmer, previously working at National Theatre and Southbank Centre. Hannah has worked extensively as a freelance creative facilitator and producer, as well as founding the award-winning event business Crafternoon Cabaret Club. She is a cohort of Clore Leadership Pulse 2020.

Monique is an experienced arts leader who has worked across the arts sector and is currently CEO of artsdepot, a multi-award winning cultural hub in Barnet. She has worked as Director of Dance Hub Birmingham/Deputy Director of Culture Centre where she set up the new £2 million initiative with partners across the dance sector, and led on a number of wider projects including the Birmingham Cultural Education Partnership and Commonwealth Games events.

She has led Stratford Circus Arts Centre and Rich Mix, successfully reapplying for Arts Council funding and developing new initiatives. She also works in a freelance capacity coaching, mentoring and supporting organisations through change. Prior to working in the arts, she worked for an MP and the Master of the Rolls.

Gillian was a partner of a leading City law firm, specialising in finance, and a trustee of Plan International UK from 2014 to February 2023, serving as Deputy Chair from 2019.  Plan International UK works to improve the prospects of children in some of the world’s poorest communities.

Living and bringing up a family in Highgate for over 25 years, Gillian is passionate about the value which Jacksons Lane brings to local communities.

Nathan is a theatre director, creative producer and arts programmer. He is the co-artistic director and CEO of Tangled Feet theatre ensemble who make original physical theatre and image led work, as well as running an industry-leading participation and dramatherapy programme with thousands of young people. Previously, he was the associate director of The Greenwich+Docklands International Festival, the associate director of Bush Theatre and a staff director at the National Theatre.

Monica is a primary school teacher, with a previous career in financial compliance across multiple firms. She brings her corporate knowledge and passion for volunteering to the Jacksons Lane board.

Adrian is a former national squad gymnast who has been teaching circus for over 25 years. He oversaw acrobatic development for the Millennium Dome Show and went on to co-write the first iteration of the Foundation degree programme at the National Centre for Circus Arts where is now works as the head of higher education delivery. He is a board member of FEDEC and part of the Erasmus+ drive considering mobility around riggers and technicians across the world. Adrian has established  a research and ethics committee whose aim is to drive the next stage of circus and performing arts research in the UK.

Izzy is a circus artist, performer and teacher who has worked and studied across Europe and Australia. Izzy graduated from The National Centre for Circus Arts and alongside performing works as a circus consultant, with UK companies such as Lavrak Circus, She Said Jump Co. and Robie Hébert.

Jacksons Lane was founded by Melian Mansfield and Nicky Gavron in 1975, alongside Paul and Jan Brooker, as a community arts hub for Highgate, Haringey and North London.

You can find more information on the history of Jacksons Lane here.