Karen Merrifield

Business Consultant

Karen works with us on what is now called the Create Your Future programme – which aims to raise the profile of the creative and cultural sector in the region. As a result she works with schools and businesses in the region as well as working with universities to attract more talented young people to the area.   Karen produced and wrote the content for the Create Your Future website. She continues to work with us on promoting closer relationships between young people, the creative business and cultural sectors. Jael Williams and Karen worked collaboratively with France-Leigh Hadrysiak and Emily Wilson to create ‘Play, Work, Stay’, an innovative residential course for 18-25s, training for creative entrepreneurs and support for younger people.

This work is part of her business, Innovate Educate Ltd, which she founded because she felt that businesses could be much more creative in how they engage with young people. Since setting the business up, it has evolved and changed. The business works with a variety of clients to help them engage audiences differently, particularly young audiences. These clients include Edinburgh Castle, York Minster, English Heritage, Stonehenge, Manchester Airports Group and smaller museums such as Buxton. She has also recently completed an evaluation for Arts in Hospital Settings.