Sarah Stallwood-Hall

As Head of Finance and Operations, Sarah works to galvanise the Design Council’s financial framework, operational accountability, and decision making. Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations, Sarah is responsible for ensuring the organisation achieves its charitable and strategic objectives by protecting value, managing risk and providing excellent business partnering in the form of insightful and transparent management information, independent challenge and commercial acumen.

Sarah joins the Design Council from The Big House – a theatre charity dedicated to working with care experienced young people. Using drama as a tool for empowerment, The Big House aims to break the cycle of disadvantage that young care-leavers are often trapped in. As Finance & Operations Director, Sarah oversaw the doubling of the staff team, as well as the expansion of the organisations’ delivery from funding by the London Mayor’s Propel Fund. Leading on the financial and operational sustainability of the charity, Sarah spearheaded the steady growth of the organisation through the management of Trusts & Foundation support, individual giving, corporate partnerships and earnt income; all whilst ensuring the delivery and support for The Big House’s members was of the charity’s award-winning standard.

After gaining her degree in Applied Theatre & Education at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, Sarah has worked in a range of different theatres and arts organisations including the Donmar Warehouse, Theatre Royal Stratford East, The Almeida and Fevered Sleep. In her spare time, Sarah is an avid ‘dabbler’ in lots of different sporting endeavours including Gaelic Football, Tag Rugby, CrossFit, marathons and anything in between!