Before immigrating to Australia in 2008, Nigel enjoyed a long theatre career in the UK, including Theatre Royal Stratford East, Lyric Hammersmith, Royal Theatre Northampton, Black Theatre Co-operative, Cardboard Citizens and Oval House. Between 2008-18 he was Executive Director of Queensland Music Festival, leading Statewide delivery of its vision to transform lives and communities through music.

In 2019 Nigel established Momentum Arts, an arts production consultancy. Current and recent projects include four years as Executive Producer for UNSW’s arts/mental health project The Big Anxiety, the Festival of Care supporting staff well-being delivered in five Sydney hospitals (2023) and Queensland Children’s Hospital (2025), management of the Regional Arts Fund for Queensland 2020-22, strategic facilitation for JUTE Theatre Company’s regional theatre initiative DARTS, 2024-26), and strategic planning for Flying Arts, Cairns Regional Council and others. Nigel is a Peer Assessor for Arts Queensland and the Federal Office for the Arts.

He joined the Executive Committee in 2024 and was appointed Chair in July 2025.

Ruth Atkinson is an independent Creative Producer based in Toowoomba working with RAVA Productions and the Curious Arts Festival.  She is CEO/Owner of Visual Focus, an audio-visual integration and events company based in Toowoomba.

Her previous roles include: Director at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, Program and Marketing Manager of Toowoomba’s Empire Theatres, Venue/Events Manager at Queensland University of Technology, Executive Officer for Northern Australian Regional Performing Arts Centres Association (now Stage Queensland) and News & Production Director for Sunshine Television Network/Mackay Television Ltd. Ruth holds an M.B.A. and Post Graduate qualifications in Arts and Cultural Management and a Bachelor of Business (Marketing).

Ruth joined the Executive Committee in 2024.

Phoebe Leighton is an emerging producer based in Meanjin (Brisbane), currently working as Associate Producer at the Brisbane Powerhouse. A qualified educator, Phoebe graduated from QUT in 2023 with a Bachelor of Education, before returning to her creative roots through her work as Marketing Director and Executive Producer at Underground Theatre Company. There, she found her artistic home among Meanjin’s vibrant community of emerging artists. Drawn to bold, contemporary performance and committed to amplifying new voices, Phoebe approaches every project with curiosity, care and a collaborative spirit. 

Paul Dellit OAM is a producer, actor, musician, mentor and MC. As a producer Paul has worked on numerous productions and projects for Brisbane Festival, Brisbane City Council, QPAC and through his own production company. He has acted with Queensland Theatre Company, La Boite Theatre Company, Opera Queensland, QPAC, and the Adelaide Festival Centre. He has also worked as a Musical Director and Director for La Boite Theatre Company and as Musical Director for Queensland Theatre Company. In 1999/2001, he oversaw the set up and was Manager of the QUT Gardens Theatre.

Most recently Paul was Producer for two major concert events for Brisbane Powerhouse’s Melt Festival 2025; and a Peer Assessor for Arts Queensland. Since 2025, Paul has been the Lead Judge for the Matilda Awards, Queensland’s annual theatre awards.

Bree Ironside is a performing arts educator and creative leader based in Brisbane, currently overseeing tertiary training in Acting and Music Theatre at JMC Academy. Her ongoing studies includes a Masters degree in Education, Post Grad in Counselling, and a Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education at UNSW, receiving the 2015 award for best academic performance.

Bree has spent over the past twelve years teaching across Music, Performance and Wellbeing. Bree’s practice is grounded in the belief that artistic excellence and psychological safety are intrinsically linked. She is passionate about equipping emerging artists with both the technical rigour and emotional resilience required to sustain creative careers, approaching her work with clarity, compassion and a deep commitment to the wellbeing of the performing arts community.

Sharondell Grennan has worked in business management and leadership for more than 25 years. Sharondell brings to the Matilda Awards financial management experience in the private, public and non-profit sectors, with a focus on developing policies and procedures to improve performance and productivity. Sharondell  holds a B Com a Dip Soc Sc and a MBA.