MEET THE TEAM
Emily Labhart Director
Emily Labhart is a cultural producer and programme leader with over 12 years’ experience creating inclusive, community-rooted arts programmes across festivals, theatres and public spaces. Her work has a strong focus on co-creation, access and community-led programming, shaped through projects including Birmingham International Dance Festival, Birmingham Weekender and Breakin’ Convention at Sadler’s Wells.
Having worked as an independent producer since 2018, Emily collaborates with artists, partners and communities to develop ambitious, socially engaged projects, with a particular passion for supporting Hip Hop culture and Global Majority artists. She brings a calm, collaborative approach to leadership and enjoys working across partnerships to create welcoming, high-quality cultural experiences in public spaces.
As Director of Appetite, Emily is excited to support communities, artists and partners across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire to shape joyful, inclusive cultural activity rooted in local identity and creativity.
NEED TO KNOW
Emily owns more than 20 pairs of Nike trainers - and is trying very hard not to buy any more.
Heather Dowler 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 worked in museums for many years loving the variety of work and connection with the past that brings. Her experience included managing a historic building, producing exhibitions and events programmes, alongside collection documentation and care.
She 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, where she is from.
NEED TO KNOW
Heather loves being outside tackling the endless jungle that is her garden.
Sally Malkin Producer
Sally is Appetite’s Producer and believes that the arts should be accessible to everyone. She is committed to the idea that cultural programming can be a catalyst for social cohesion, ignite local pride, and inspire meaningful personal transformation.
With over 15 years of experience in stage management, Sally brings a wealth of expertise to her multifaceted role. She is particularly passionate about delivering high-quality events and creative experiences that resonate with local communities.
She works closely with communities, the Appetite Team and a wide range of local partners, to make sure the programme reflects the rich diversity and unique voices of Stoke-on-Trent.
NEED TO KNOW
Sally loves to travel and has a long bucket list.
Melanie Doyle Marketing Officer
Mel is Appetite’s marketing officer, helping to get the word out about all our fantastic events and ways to get involved. It’s a real mixed bag that includes website, socials, design, promo, and anything else that pops up.
She was supposed to be a live music sound engineer/producer but ended up in comms over 20 years ago. Mel taught herself design when she struggled to get an agency to do something just how she wanted and decided she’d see if she could do it herself. She now has a PGCert in Design Management: she’s that petty.
Mel loves conveying ideas to people in writing or visually, or face-to-face with lots of jazz hands. Creating brand guidelines - where pure creativity and pedantry align - is her happy place.
NEED TO KNOW
Mel’s taste in music isn’t appreciated by her family so she sing-shouts along very loudly to IDLES, Fat Dog, BIG SPECIAL, Lambrini Girls & Pigsx7 alone in the car.
Ruby Nixon Community Engagement Officer
Ruby is the Community Engagement Coordinator at Appetite, working across Stoke-on-Trent to connect with local people and groups to ensure the programme is shaped by the communities it serves. She supports and develops the Community Decision Makers, organising activities like Supper Club, Take Aways and creative consultations that put local voices at the heart of programming. Ruby also supports digital engagement through social media campaigns, helping reach and connect with wider audiences.
With a background in arts projects that engage people and encourage them to see art as something for them, she is passionate about creating opportunities for people to share their stories through creativity. She is committed to making arts and culture both accessible and shaped by the people who experience it.
NEED TO KNOW
Ruby loves a good charity shop find – especially if it feels a bit haunted!
Emma Hobbs Volunteer Coordinator
Emma is the Volunteering Coordinator, working to coordinate and support our amazing volunteer team aka the friendly Appetite faces you meet at events. They make sure that volunteers get the most out of their experience with us, matching volunteers with roles that suit them and their abilities. They are always on the lookout for new faces to join the volunteer family.
Emma also supports the team as an Assistant Producer working behind-the-scenes to make the magic happen at events such as The Big Feast. Emma is passionate about making arts and culture accessible for all and bringing joyful experiences to their hometown.
NEED TO KNOW
In their spare time, Emma enjoys playing piano and always has a new piece on the go. They have a varied music taste, from classical music and film soundtracks to Chapell Roan and Taylor Swift!
Hannah Hiles Comms & PR
Hannah is a freelance PR professional and journalist who supports Appetite’s marketing and communications.
A former newspaper journalist and communications manager, she brings more than 25 years’ experience of finding the right words and connecting people with what’s happening.
She helps clients across the heritage and regeneration, tourism, community and arts and culture sectors to share their stories, and also writes for Staffordshire business news service Daily Focus.
Hannah loves being part of the Appetite team and helping to spread the word about the programme’s events across Stoke-on-Trent.
KEY INFO
Hannah is a Port Vale FC season ticket holder – but don’t hold that against her, she says.
Contacts
General Queries
Email: askus@appetite.org.uk
Tel: 01782 381 373
Appetite
New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road,
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire ST5 0JG
Volunteering
Email: volunteering@appetite.org.uk
Enquire about community decision-making, ambassadors and event volunteering via this volunteer interest form.
Communities
Email: ruby@appetite.org.uk
Talk to Ruby, our community engagement officer, about hosted visits, getting your groups involved with Appetite, and what our decision-makers do.
Credits
We are privileged to work with lots of fabulous creatives across many artforms!
We are proud to support artists close to home and would like to tip our hat to all those who have contributed to the imagery you see across this website.
If we’ve missed your credit off in error, let us know and we’ll be happy to fix it!
Photography
Videography