Since its creation in 2011, Flor Souto has been running The Ampersand Foundation. She has a background in art history and theory, as well as Latin American Cultural Studies. In addition to her role at the foundation, she also manages a private art collection.

director@theampersandfoundation.com

Jonathan works with the CEO to direct The Ampersand Foundation. As a cultural programmer and creative producer he works across artworks, with an interest in civic life, holding collaborative creative spaces to commission new work, and supporting artists to advance their practice. Previous to joining The Ampersand Foundation Jonathan has directed Photoworks and Abandon Normal Devices. He was Executive Producer at Marshmallow Laser Feast, and Senior Programmer at British Council where he specialised in commissioning and curating media art and cross-disciplinary collaborations and curatorial programmes that emerge in unexpected places across cities. Jonathan cut his teeth at LIFT festival as part of a small team curating and producing cutting-edge performance across London. Jonathan’s career has given him an international perspective on art practice, where he has commissioned nationally significant work within major UK arts organisations, including the Barbican and Tate Modern, and in countries around the world, including Canada, Colombia, Mexico and India.

jonathan@theampersandfoundation.com

Thiago Carvalho studied economics at the LSE and did his masters at the University of Nottingham. His experience as a Director and Trustee ranges from the real estate business to art galleries.

Simon Conway is a barrister and former journalist.  He lives and works in London.

Jack Kirkland is Chairman and Settlor of The Ampersand Foundation. He is Chairman of Bowmer + Kirkland and a Trustee of Tate and the Bridget Riley Art Foundation.

Victoria Siddall is Director of the National Portrait Gallery, a role she took on in October 2024, and she has over 20 years’ experience of leadership positions in the art world. Victoria was previously Global Director of Frieze, founding Frieze Masters and then leading four international art fairs across London, New York, Los Angeles and Seoul. She was a co-founder of Gallery Climate Coalition and Murmur, two charities that drive environmental responsibility in the art and music sectors, and has also worked with Tate in a strategic advisory capacity. Victoria is an honorary trustee of Studio Voltaire where she chaired the board for 12 years.

Alastair Sooke is a writer and broadcaster. He is The Telegraph’s chief art critic, and has presented more than 60 hours of television and radio for the BBC. He is also the author of three books published by Penguin.

Sam Thorne is Director General and CEO of Japan House London. Prior to that, Sam was Director of Nottingham Contemporary (2016-2022), Artistic Director of Tate St Ives ( 2014-2016) and Associate Editor of frieze magazine. In 2013, he co-founded Open School East, a free-to-attend study programme in London, which later moved to Margate.