The transition of board members this November marks both the end of an era and an exciting beginning. Two figures who have shaped the direction of Sampad during their tenure – Professor Ian Grosvenor and Dr. Delia Garratt – have now moved on, but their legacy will continue to impact the organisation. At the same time, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Shahmima Akhtar to the board, whose expertise and passion for history and culture will add a fresh perspective to Sampad’s work.
Leaving the Sampad Board: Ian Grosvenor
Professor Ian Grosvenor’s journey with Sampad began in 2014. Over the years, Ian has played an instrumental role in helping Sampad expand its vision and bring a richer understanding of Birmingham’s diverse history into the cultural landscape. His deep knowledge of Birmingham’s heritage was particularly pivotal in the creation of the From City From Empire to City of Diversity: A Visual Journey exhibition. Co-curated by Ian in 2022, this exhibition was a part of the cultural programme for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and showcased the city’s transformation through visual storytelling.
In reflecting on his time with Sampad, Ian shared:
“I joined the Board of Sampad in 2014 following an invitation from Piali to bring heritage more directly into the arts. Over the years much has been achieved in telling new stories of the city and seeing how arts and heritage can work as one. Nothing showed this better than the exhibition From City of Empire to City of Diversity: a Visual Journey which I co-curated in 2022 as part of the cultural programme of the Commonwealth Games. We wanted to hear what people thought of the exhibition and set up a visitor’s book. Someone wrote, ‘Good people give you happiness. Bad people give you experience. Worst people give you a lesson. Best people give you memories.’ These words in response to the exhibition also point to my Sampad experience: happiness, experience, learning and, in the end, lots of memories.”
Ian’s contribution to Sampad goes beyond his role in the exhibition. His ability to weave together the arts and heritage allowed Sampad to tell more inclusive and diverse stories about Birmingham, helping to shape the cultural identity of the city in a way that resonated with many.
Leaving the Sampad Board: Delia Garratt
Dr. Delia Garratt’s tenure on the Sampad board, which began in 2016, was marked by her insightful leadership and invaluable organisational advice. As the CEO of Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust, Delia brought a wealth of knowledge about strategic planning and organisational development. Her expertise helped Sampad grow in its capacity and expand its reach, particularly in the areas of sustainability and community partnership.
Reflecting on her time with Sampad, Delia said:
“I have loved working with Piali, Sabra and the team, as well as the other extremely knowledgeable and skilled trustees. I am super proud of all that the team has delivered during my time with Sampad, with so many incredible highlights.”
Delia’s guidance was instrumental in helping Sampad continue its work as a leader in arts and culture in the West Midlands.
A New Chapter: Welcoming Dr. Shahmima Akhtar
As we bid farewell to Ian and Delia, we are excited to introduce Dr. Shahmima Akhtar as the newest member of the Sampad board. Dr. Akhtar is an Assistant Professor of Black and Asian British Histories at The University of Birmingham and her deep academic background will offer a fresh lens through which Sampad can continue to explore and engage with the cultural and historical narratives of the West Midlands. Reflecting on her new role, Dr. Akhtar shared:
“As a local to Birmingham, I have regularly attended Sampad events from the music sessions, to dance and theatre over many years. It is a real honour and privilege to now be part of the board and get to work with the excellent people who have provided so much brilliant arts and culture for the West Midlands. I am excited to think creatively about future events and programming. As a lecturer in history at the University of Birmingham, I am keen to facilitate student internships, research exchange programmes and more so the city can benefit even further from engaged and passionate Undergraduate and Postgraduate students.”
Dr. Akhtar’s academic expertise, along with her passion for Birmingham’s cultural landscape, will be an asset to Sampad as we continue to build on our work in the arts and heritage sectors. Her vision for creative partnerships between the university and Sampad, particularly in terms of student engagement and research initiatives, is an exciting development for our future programming.
The evolving Sampad board represents the diverse and dynamic community we serve and with new leadership, we are excited to embark on the next phase of our journey. Together, we will continue to explore the intersections of arts, culture, and heritage, creating space for new stories to be told and new voices to be heard.
