Flora Newbigin

As Head of Partnerships (maternity cover), Flora leads the strategy for establishing new partnership opportunities through which the Design Council can deliver their Design for Planet mission. Flora brings almost 20 years expertise in working collaboratively across sectors to harness the power of creativity in solving complex social challenges. 

Flora was formerly Director of Programmes at arts for social change theatre company Cardboard Citizens. Here she led cross sector collaborations using theatre to tackle issues relating to homelessness, on a personal and systemic level. She has a wealth of experience in designing and delivering projects which engage a range of stakeholders including government officials, front line workers, artists, and people with lived experience of complex issues. Prior to working in theatre, Flora was a leader in Inclusive Education, convening cross sector support networks for higher need students.  

She is an alumnus of Homeless Link’s Transatlantic Practice Exchange through which she travelled to New York to share learning about participatory theatre approaches to shaping policymaking relating to housing and homelessness, the findings of which were published via Homeless Link. 

She is also a trustee of Caris Families, which works with families living in temporary accommodation and co-director of inclusive dance company Nua Dance.