Welcoming Our New Trustees: Paulette Bayley, Helen Palmer, Marian Sudbury and Will Allen

As Olympias Music Foundation celebrates 10 years of making music accessible to children across Greater Manchester, we’re delighted to announce the appointment of four new trustees to our Board: Paulette Bayley, Helen Palmer, Marian Sudbury and Will Allen.

These brilliant individuals bring with them a powerful blend of expertise, creativity, lived experience, and a shared belief in the life-changing potential of music.

Paulette Bayley

A highly accomplished professional violinist and music educator, Paulette Bayley has performed with leading orchestras including the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. Alongside her performance career, she is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of musicians, working with organisations like the National Youth Orchestra, Chetham’s School of Music, and Orchestras for All.

Paulette is also a leader in the field of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging in classical music, having contributed to initiatives such as Black Lives in Music and Tonic's Changemakers programme. Her musical and social leadership will help guide Olympias' inclusive vision into its second decade.

Helen Palmer

Helen Palmer has built a career at the heart of the UK’s arts and cultural landscape. She has held senior roles in theatre, festivals, and cultural communications, and has been instrumental in shaping major projects such as the Manchester International Festival and British Ceramics Biennial. Helen currently serves as Chair of Manchester’s hÅb live art agency and is known for her commitment to widening access to the arts.

Her deep knowledge of cultural marketing and her longstanding love of music make her a valuable voice as Olympias continues to grow its presence across the region.

Marian Sudbury

Joining us as Vice Chair, Marian Sudbury brings an exceptional breadth of knowledge in strategy, advocacy, and economic development. She is currently Chair of Trustees at the Bridgewater Hall and sits on the Alliance Manchester Business School Advisory Board. In 2020, she was awarded an OBE for her work in championing the North’s economic potential.

A lifelong musician, Marian began learning the violin at age eight and played in the Hampshire Youth Orchestra before spending 25 years performing fiddle in a folk band. She is also a trained Mental Health First Aider, speaks several languages, and has supported refugees and those facing homelessness. Her rich personal and professional experiences align closely with Olympias’ mission to build a musical community that is inclusive, compassionate, and empowering.

Will Allen

Will Allen has played a vital role behind the scenes at Olympias for several years, acting as our Independent Examiner and ensuring that our finances are sound, transparent, and well-managed. With a background in Psychology from Oxford and over a decade of experience in fast-growing companies, Will is a Chartered Accountant who combines analytical rigour with a deep interest in social impact.

Outside of work, Will is an active runner, hiker, and swing dancer. He has a long-standing personal connection to music and brings both strategic and financial insight to his new role on the board.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on a decade of making music education more accessible, the addition of Will, Helen, Paulette and Marian marks an exciting step forward for Olympias. Their knowledge, creativity, and shared commitment to equity and inclusion will strengthen our ability to grow sustainably, advocate meaningfully, and continue reaching the children who need us most.

We are also taking this opportunity to warmly thank Yana Eskandari, Aziz Ibrahim, and Suki Pardesi who step down from the board after years of thoughtful leadership and care. Their contributions have shaped Olympias into the organisation it is today.

Find out more about our Trustees