The Trustees

NAPA is governed by a board of voluntary trustees who are responsible for ensuring the charity is continually meeting its aims and objectives.

Board of Trustees  

Jules Blenkarn – Chair Jules joined the Board in 2023 as Chair and is  a National Procurement Manager currently working for the UK based charity Change Grow Live. Prior to this she’s held senior leadership positions working within the Construction Industry and the NHS where she has procured and project managed a number of major capital project schemes as well as delivering smaller refurbishment and renovation programmes on schools, hospitals and heritage buildings. Jules has a particular interest in Stakeholder management and believes that partnership working leads to greater innovation and collaboration. As well as her role as Chair of the Board of Trustees, Jules is also a Licenced Child Chaperone and has worked extensively within the film and TV industry, most recently working with Netflix and Apple TV where she chaperoned our own NAPA children whilst working on film production sets in Hull.

Jules speaks very passionately about NAPA and believes, strongly, that every child matters and that we’re changing lives here on a daily basis, supporting and empowering young people to gain skills, resilience and empathy in the industry of performing arts whilst creating a fun and safe environment.

Jules is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply and holds a degree in Business & Finance. She lives in East Yorkshire with her husband and son who also attends Napa as well as their dog, Macintosh.

Chris Gruca – Deputy Chair Chris joined the Board of Trustees at NAPA in 2017. He brings experience of the performing arts and education sectors to the Board. He currently works freelance in the arts and for Theatre On The Edge and was formerly Head of Performing Arts at a Hull-based Sixth Form College. “NAPA offers people of all ages opportunities and experiences to develop a range of performance skills and to improve their confidence. It is an asset to the city of Hull.” 

Gail Farrington Gail is a Barrister working for Wilberforce Barristers in Hull as an expert in family law, a former solicitor with over 20 years of experience. Gail is delighted to have joined the Board of Trustees in March 2024.

Keith Butler Keith joined the Board in 2022. Keith was previously employed at The University of Hull where he was responsible for Business Partnerships. He also lectured in employee relations and organisational behaviour. Latterly, he was elected as Branch President for the academic trade union and is currently a consultant on employment issues. Keith is passionate about the arts and NAPA’s role in nurturing the stars of tomorrow and building confidence in young people. He was an active parent at NAPA for over 20 years.

Sam Kind Sam joined the Board in 2023. His first involvement with NAPA was eight years ago when his daughter attended a Summer School here when she was 7. What has struck him most about NAPA is that “children from all over the area can come here, fit right in and make new friendships with children they wouldn’t otherwise meet. They learn so much through taking part in the productions. NAPA does so much to equip our young people with the skills they need in the wider world.”

He is an experienced Financial Controller with a history of working in the not for Profit and public sectors. Among his recent roles, he was Reporting Accountant for Hull 2017, Head of Finance at Absolutely Cultured and Financial Controller for Pickering and Ferens Homes. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and a trustee of the City of Hull Brass Band

Hannah Dunn Hannah joined the Board as Secretary to the Chair in August 2024. She is currently a part-time Civil Servant, but previously worked as a Program Director at a children’s summer camp in the USA, where performing arts were ingrained in the culture! Her passion for NAPA stems from seeing the hugely positive impact that joining the classes has had on her own children’s confidence and self-belief. As a life long musical theatre fan, the opportunity to regularly watch the array of quality productions created by the hugely talented students and staff, is the icing on the cake! Hannah is excited to be joining Board at such a pivotal time for NAPA!

Laura Pearson Laura joined the board in 2024. She first became involved with NAPA when her son attended Summer School in 2019. NAPA quickly became a big part of their lives. Laura loves watching the shows, as well as seeing all the young people’s personal growth.

Mental health is an area that Laura is very passionate about. She works with young people who are experiencing emotional and mental health issues. Prior to this Laura worked in the adult sector. Laura feels that NAPA offers much more than dance, acting and musical theatre classes. It also gives young people a safe place to form friendships, build confidence and resilience and be themselves. Laura is very excited to have joined the board and to be a small part in ensuring that NAPA will be able to be enjoyed by many generations to come.

Charlotte Ballingham Charlotte joined the Board of Trustees at NAPA in 2024. She brings with her over 10 years of legal experience and currently works in international intellectual property law. Her involvement with NAPA started six years ago when her daughter enrolled at the age of 12, she is now almost 18 and completing the final year of the UAL Extended Diploma Performance and Production Arts course.. During this time Charlotte has enjoyed coming to watch many of the productions at NAPA and has seen first-hand the positive impact on the students that being involved in performing arts brings. She is excited to be continuing her journey with NAPA in the role of trustee and is passionately committed to supporting NAPA in achieving its future goals.