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CMAT Board Members

CMAT is led by a dynamic Board of Directors, most of whom have worked in the arts for decades. Collectively they continue to contribute to establishing the Centre’s vision.

Their broad-based experience will underpin future development and they are open to any new thoughts or ideas to help CMAT become a vibrant musical energy within its communities.

As per the end of December 2008, CMAT announced the resignations of Sam Obeng-Dokyi and Diana Comber from the Board of Directors, which was followed by Rajan Hooper as per the end of the financial year 2008/09. All of their professional and moral support has been invaluable and has contributed greatly to the success CMAT has so far enjoyed. They will be greatly missed, and all CMAT Directors and staff would like to thank them and wish them continued success.


Chris MurtaghChris Murtagh BA (Hons)
Director and interim Chair
A lawyer and bass player, Chris manages and represents artists whilst also promoting live performance arts and organising festivals and other events. Working out of the North East of England, he has promoted local and international artists for over 30 years.

Currently, he is working with multi-cultural ‘world’ artists, globally, as well as with the ‘odd’ Western pop act and will network these into the CMAT programme.


Bob Ramdhanie Bob Ramdhanie PhD
Operational Director
Bob has been involved in developing and promoting ‘black’ arts for over 40 years. He established the Handsworth Cultural Centre and CAVE Arts Centre in Birmingham, nurturing the talents of hundreds of local artists.

He travels extensively throughout Africa and the Caribbean, completed the first PhD in African Dance in England and is manager of Black Voices. Bob is responsible for strategic management and programme development at CMAT.

Carol Pemberton Dip ManCarol Pemberton Dip Man
Company Secretary
Carol is a founding member and music director of Black Voices. Her first musical experiences were nurtured in the black church where she played the cello, piano and other wind instruments although ultimately she developed herself as a recognised vocalist.

She has been instrumental in helping to develop the ‘World Music’ focus for CMAT and will assist
in the programming and developmental aspects of vocal music within the Centre.

Sue HurrellSue Hurrell ARCM, DipNCOS
Director
A classical freelance musician, Sue works for Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council as an arts programmer in the Arts Development Team. She has a thorough understanding of world music and developmental education and has worked with Black Voices on their education and performance programmes.

Sue will join the programming and education subcommittee at CMAT, to focus on audience development and community education. She is keen to ensure that community groups become involved in all forms of artistic expression.

New Board members are:

Ron Thompson

Cindy YorkeCindy Yorke

Tonia ClarkTonia Clark

Short bio's will follow shortly.

Former Directors

Sam Obeng-DokyiSam Obeng-Dokyi MBA, MCIM
Chair from January 2001 until December 2008
Sam is Director of CDSE (Centre for Development and Social Enterprise Ltd), a consultancy which responds to the growing need for organisational change, performance improvement and project management within the social enterprise sector. He has a particular interest in working with non-profit organisations, having fulfilled a variety of senior management roles in that sector, and aims to ensure CMAT stabilises its financial base so it can prosper.

Rajan HooperRajan Hooper
Director from January 2001 - February 2009
Rajan is an accomplished musician and a music advisor and administrator, with a track record of leading arts institutions by advocacy, promotion, management
and development.

A former music officer with Arts Council England, he has a wide network of useful contacts in the international music industry and is currently working with the African Caribbean Music Network. Rajan is active in helping to develop a ‘World Music’ programme with local appeal for CMAT.

Diana ComberDiana Comber MSJ
Director from 2004 - December 2008
Diana is Principal of Mspec.co.uk, a UK-based consultancy specialising in marketing communications covering both strategic and tactical areas, design of on
and off-line communication as well as communications coaching, training and facilitation for private- and public-sector organisations.

She is currently a member of the national Network organisation for senior women in business and brings multinational marketing, advertising, public relations and corporate image and identity development experience