Tamily Cookson, Interim CEO
A bit about Tamily:
- Full name: Tamily Cookson
- Company role: Interim CEO
- What’s your background? Events Management
Describe your role at the CQ:
Very varied and busy! I liaise and connect with a lot of people across a huge variety of businesses in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and the whole of the UK to amplify Creative Quarter’s voice and increase our impact.
I work with partner organisations to ensure we have funding approved for programmes and projects that encourage and support start-up, early growth and scaling up of creative and digital businesses in Nottingham.
I work alongside the employability teams at Nottingham’s academic institutions to ensure that opportunities for students and graduates to gain work experience and find employment in creative and digital businesses are plentiful.
Tell us about a part of your job that people might not realise you do?
People may have a vague idea of what a CEO does but might not appreciate the sheer number of connections I make on a daily basis: networking, consulting, advocating on various boards and advisory panels. I communicate on a regular basis with residents, business owners, our funders and partners across Nottingham. I also have a role nationally, making sure the developments in our local creative economy are part of a wider conversation thanks to my position on the UK Council for Creative UK, and I share knowledge with other creative economic development projects in Sheffield, Coventry, York and beyond. And after all of that, I can often be found helping with practical matters in the CQ Office, like putting up the Christmas lights (I’m the tallest staff member!) and moving PA systems to help set up for events.
What is your favourite part of working at the CQ?
The variety of people I meet and the huge depth of work that is taking place in and around the creative and digital industries in the East Midlands and beyond.
What places in the CQ do you love to visit when you’re not in work?
So many places! Sneinton Street Food Club and The Avenues Independent Market, Blend, Rough Trade, Broadway, The Angel, Jam Café, Sexy Mamma, Bar Iberico, Nottingham Contemporary, White Rose, Bodycraft, Cobden Chambers, FortyTwo, The Avenues Café, Antenna.
