Welcome to interim Development Director (maternity cover) Jenni Willows!

We are delighted to welcome freelance Fundraising Consultant, Jenni Willows, to the OMF Team as our interim Development Director (maternity cover).

Jenni joins us from her previous role as Head of Fundraising at the Booth Centre, as she transitions into a new career as a freelance Fundraising and Social Value Consultant.

A fundraiser with over 25 years experience, with a specialism in Trusts and Foundations and Corporate Sponsorship, Jenni’s career in the arts began in the basement of Central Library as Financial Administrator of the award-winning Library Theatre Company. Having become the Company’s Development Manager, Jenni stayed with the LTC as it merged with Cornerhouse and ultimately relocated to HOME on the First Street development. A keen advocate for arts and culture, Jenni is also a trustee of Manchester Central Library Development Trust and Small Things CIC.

Over the next four months, Jenni will be helping to lay the groundwork for OMF's 'Forging Musical Futures' strategy for 2023-26 at this crucial point in the charity's growth. We are thrilled to welcome Jenni to the team and look forward to learning from her experience and expertise over the coming months.

Jenni says: "As someone who is passionate about the positive impact that arts & culture can have on a person's health, wellbeing & life chances, I am incredibly excited to join the OMF team for a short while to help ensure that music education is available to all."

Jenni's first musical experience

"...has to be my primary school's annual Christmas concerts. They were such a big part of our school year – we'd be practising for WEEKS - and involved children of all ages, some in costume, some singing and some playing an instrument, all with Mrs Carson conducting proceedings from the piano! The excitement "backstage" (well, in the classrooms) after each performance was like nothing else."

If you're interested in supporting the OMF, you can contact Jenni at jenni.willows@olympiasmusicfoundation.com