Stephen Stenning

Director, Culture and Development
The British Council
UK

Stephen Stenning now leads British Council’s cross disciplinary portfolio that uses creative, cultural, and innovative approaches to global challenges. He joined British Council in 2011 as Director Arts Middle East North Africa based in Cairo. Five years later as Director Culture & Development he returned to the UK to lead the set up the UK’s ground-breaking Cultural Protection Fund. The Fund initially started with £30m funding in 2016 and the success of the Fund was acknowledged last year with further three-year funding. Stephen has a track record of running and programming successful arts organisations, events, and venues, he originally working in London as a published playwright and director then moving to Scotland as a theatre director and Festival Producer. Stephen was director Edinburgh Mela and on the Board of Festivals Edinburgh.