The Team

Our journey began in 2016, initiated by Xavier de Sousa and Sally Rose with the support of the Live Art Development Agency. Since then, we’ve grown and evolved, thanks to the ongoing development support from Marlborough Productions and a strong collaboration with Arts Council England.

Our Leadership Approach

At Producer Gathering, we value fresh perspectives and responsive leadership. The project is led by a project producer, with the role evolving over time to reflect the needs of the programme and its community. This approach allows for both continuity and the introduction of new ideas, ensuring the work remains dynamic, relevant, and grounded in lived producing experience.

Our Current and Past Management

2023-: The helm is currently managed by Nassy Konan, alongside Sally Rose representing Marlborough Productions.
2022-23: The project was managed by Sally Rose, with David Sheppeard from Marlborough Productions. We also had invaluable support from our Critical Friends, Jenny Williams BEM and Kayza Rose.
2020-21: Xavier de Sousa managed the project, supported by a group of esteemed producers who offered their insights: Vicky Graham, Sarah Crompton, Matthew Jones, Sud Basu, Becca Gibbs, and Steve Goatman.

Each team member brings their unique expertise and passion for the arts, contributing significantly to our mission of nurturing and supporting independent producers across the arts sector. Through our collective efforts, we aim to foster an environment where creativity thrives and producers can find the support and resources they need to succeed.

Meet the team

Nassy Konan

Nassy Konan is a Birmingham-based independent Creative Producer working across live art, dance, theatre, and outdoor arts. Her work focuses on artist development, international exchange, and mid-scale touring for diverse audiences. She has produced projects with leading organisations and festivals including the University of Oxford Cultural Programme (Leys Festival 2025), Festival.org (Greenwich + Docklands International Festival), Birmingham Festival 2023, Young Vic, The Old Vic, China Plate Theatre, Soho Theatre, Pro Helvetia (Swiss Arts Council), Battersea Arts Centre, Sadler’s Wells, and Fierce Festival. A Jerwood Arts Live Work Fund awardee and Stage One bursary recipient. Nassy adeptly brings artistic visions to life with her extensive network and passion for the arts.

Sally Rose

Sally is an experienced contemporary arts producer and the Senior Producer at Marlborough Productions. As a co-founder of Producer Gathering, Sally excels in nurturing and supporting freelance producers. Committed to promoting collaboration, experimentation, and equity, she also contributes as a trustee at Chisenhale Dance Space and supports a spectrum of artists and organisations in developing their craft.

David Sheppeard

Co-founder and Creative Director at Marlborough Productions, David has been instrumental in championing queer culture through innovative projects such as New Queer on the Block and Queer in Brighton. A Clore 18 fellow, David continues to foster his passion for live events in unconventional spaces and supports a wide array of artists in bringing their creative visions to fruition. His ongoing development as a writer and performance-maker enriches his work and collaborations in the arts sector.

Xavier de Sousa

Xavier (he/they) is a multidisciplinary performance maker and culture worker based between Portugal and the UK. They co-curate the digital research and live art commissioning platform performingborders and Citemor Festival (Portugal). They have also worked on various performance events and projects, and have collaborated with a variety of artists and organisations worldwide. As a producer, they launched the free-resource space Producer Gathering together with Sally Rose. They worked on the development of the Producer Agreement, the first agreement of its kind in the sector for unions BECTU and ITC. Previously, they produced for independent artists such as Louise Orwin, Jamie Lewis Hadley and Evangelia Kolyra, amongst many others. Xavier is a founder of Migrants in Culture and is a member of BECTU and ITC - Independent Theatre Council.

Testimonials

“Receiving the Producer Gathering Bursary in 2023 was perfectly timed as I sought to advance my professional career. The funded time allowed me to create a financial plan for the year ahead, evaluate which projects were serving my aims, and regain a sense of purpose and drive. Attending the Producer Gathering event at Cambridge Junction also connected me with a supportive network of like-minded individuals, some of whom I still interact and collaborate with. In a role where people often work alone, I have found my experiences with Producer Gathering to be a vital antidote to feeling isolated.”
Finlay Carrol

“Producer gathering has always been a foundational touchstone for me throughout my career, from the early networking and gatherings, to the bursary I was awarded in 2022. In the indie producer sector it’s often isolating and can often feel like ‘am I doing the right thing?’ but the resources and peer support from Producer Gathering is invaluable at helping transform that fear into being galvanised. The bursary I received from PG enabled me the headspace and time to create my own support programme, Spaces of Joy, which trained other producers in best practice around working with Learning Disabled and Neurodivergent artists. Investment in producers, benefits all producers in the long term and therefore the sector, so the existence of Producer Gathering is deeply important.”
Daisy Hale

“Producer Gathering started as a way to fill a quite large gap in the sector: support for independent producers and information on how to do it. At the time, you mainly had to ‘learn as you go’ and it was quite an isolating experience. PG was a way to combat the isolation and provide current and new producers with the tools, information and know-how so they could have better working conditions, find pathways to sustainability and meet their peers more often. Sharing our knowledge and resources with our peers is essential for a more equitable and sustainable sector, and I’m very proud of how PG has developed over the years and the vast amount of opportunities and support it has provided to so many people.”
Xavier de Sousa

“Producer Gathering is an incredibly valuable resource and network for the sector. Every encounter I have had with them has been positive and supportive, both in my work as a freelance producer and as part of a small independent initiative (Producer Top-Up). They never hesitate to find new ways to collaborate, bolster the work of producers and small organisations, connect people, and provide opportunities – all the while being super generous with their time and resources. I can’t speak highly enough of the platform and hope it continues to thrive!”
Hayley Ovens

“Producer Gathering is a great place for resources and something I take great pride in recommending to international colleagues as a comprehensive guide to producing in the UK and an instant community of producers.”
Ruby Glaskin

“Producer Gathering was initiated through collaboration and a desire to improve connection, knowledge sharing and sustainability for independent producers. Through all of these lenses it has continued to grow across the best part of a decade, responding to the needs of this important and changing role in the sector. ‘Gathering’ – whether that be in person, archiving resources, or advocacy is something Producer Gathering has continued to provide despite the challenges of our sector, and its commitment to supporting pathways into this role and helping to retain people is commendable. This new phase, with the Directory as a tangible space and resource gathering people together, in a way that hasn’t been done specifically for producers, is a really exciting moment.”
Sally Rose

“Producer Gathering offers invaluable opportunities to connect with producers and access a wealth of producing resources. The program’s bursary enables me to explore freelancing strategies without the pressure of overworking. Through workshops, online resources, and networking opportunities, Producer Gathering equips creatives with tools to establish better professional boundaries and boost their confidence. Whether you are dealing with burnout or looking to enhance your producing skills, Producer Gathering provides a supportive environment to slow down, embrace new possibilities, and reinvigorate your creative journey.”
Burong Zeng