Rachel Adams
Appetite Director
Rachel Adams is a creative producer and consultant with over 20 years’ experience in the cultural sector. Their work specialises in access, participation, and outdoor arts, with a strong commitment to socially engaged practice.
Rachel has led the development and delivery of major cultural projects, including The Station in Bristol for Creative Youth Network, national campaigns with Fixers UK for the Public Service Broadcasting Trust, and Envision’s Community Apprentice programme. In 2014, Rachel co-founded Wyldwood Arts, a not-for-profit dedicated to socially engaged arts across the Southwest.
As Director of Appetite, Rachel oversees the delivery and artistic development of our programme, working closely with community decision-makers, artists, local authorities, and cross-sector partners to co-create site-specific work with and for local communities.
Get in touch with Rachel if you have a brilliant idea for a collaborative project that will enable more people to access the arts.
Karaoke song choice: Hand in My Pocket – Alanis Morissette
Heather Dowler
Appetite General Manager
As General Manager Heather works to make sure Appetite runs smoothly. Areas she leads on include marketing and communications, evaluation, finance, reporting to funders and health and safety, with anything else in between.
Heather has over 20 years’ experience of working in arts and culture. She comes from a background of museums working in Staffordshire and Lancashire where she produced many exhibitions, collections access and engagement projects alongside managing the operations of a Grade II listed building.
Along the way Heather had a brief but welcome diversion into widening participation work, delivering on a project based at Keele University, connecting with local young people and engaging them about future career and education choices.
Heather believes in the power of art and culture to change and enrich lives and is especially proud to be working for and with the communities of Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, where she is from.
Karaoke song choice: Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
Ruby Nixon
Appetite Community Coordinator
Ruby Nixon is an Appetite Community Coordinator, with a focus on supporting local people to have their say in shaping the wider programme. Ruby works closely with communities to co-create events and experiences that reflect and celebrate their local identity, collaborating with artists, partners, and decision-makers across Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
With five years’ experience in community-led arts, Ruby has worked across projects and outreach initiatives that prioritise inclusion, creativity, and local ownership. She is passionate about making the arts accessible and relevant – centred on the voices of those who live and work in the places where the work happens.
Before joining Appetite, Ruby contributed to a range of participatory projects focused on engaging underrepresented communities and building creative confidence.
Ruby is always keen to hear from individuals and community groups – whether you’re interested in becoming a community decision-maker, want to get involved as a group, or simply want to learn more.
Karaoke song choice: Dancing Queen – ABBA
Emma Hobbs
Appetite Volunteer Coordinator
Emma Hobbs (They/Them) is the Appetite Volunteering Coordinator. They work to support and develop our dedicated team of volunteers who help out at Appetite events throughout the year.
Prior to working with Appetite, Emma had experience working on community-led projects with Potboiler Theatre. They are passionate about improving access to the arts in Stoke-on-Trent and giving people the opportunity to shine.
In addition to their role at Appetite, they work with Culture Volunteer North Staffordshire as the Volunteering and Engagement Project Worker. Culture Volunteer North Staffordshire works very closely with Appetite and aims to break down any barriers to volunteering; bringing together volunteers with lots of different cultural organisations across Stoke-on-Trent.
Our volunteering team is at the heart of what we do. We are always on the lookout for new volunteers to come along and join us. If you are interested in getting involved with Appetite, please get in touch!
Karaoke song choice: S.O.S – ABBA
Sally Malkin
Appetite Producer
Rasandeep Singh Devgon
Appetite Community Coordinator
Melanie Doyle
Appetite Marketing Officer
