Meet the team
I’ve been working in the Arts for over 8 years now and have founded three companies. A live music events company organising world tours for Latin American artists, an immersive live music events company and my latest business, which is my lockdown baby called Chueco, an online platform connecting consumers of craft with independent makers.
Two years ago I started supporting Aysen in the management and delivery of our corporate creative partnerships for the Crafts Council and here we are today.
Aysen Yilmaz
Founder & Managing Director
Aysen has worked for start-ups, Fortune 500 companies and world leading cultural institutions, both in the UK and internationally, She is an award-winning business development and communications consultant. With over 25 years experience, her background means she is uniquely placed to connect the corporate and cultural sectors and consult c-suite clients.
Her achievements include global comms and partnerships for Getty Images, Microsoft and the Visa & Mastercard e-commerce consortium, securing the Turkish Ceramics partnership for the RA, co-devising and launching the Brookfield Properties Craft Award with the Crafts Council, and obtaining key sponsorships and partnerships for Collect and the Crafts Council for the last six years. Additionally, she has experience with CEO and Senior Executive head-hunting and talent placement in the tech and creative sectors.
Aysen oversees all aspects of KAYA Partnerships and builds bespoke teams based on a project's objectives. Here is a cross section of our handpicked specialist consultants and long-time work colleagues.
I’ve been working in the Arts for over 8 years now and have founded three companies. A live music events company organising world tours for Latin American artists, an immersive live music events company and my latest business, which is my lockdown baby called Chueco, an online platform connecting consumers of craft with independent makers.
Two years ago I started supporting Aysen in the management and delivery of our corporate creative partnerships for the Crafts Council and here we are today.
Anna Burns
Senior Advisor
With years of experience in bringing brands, artists, and cultural institutions together to create unique partnerships, Anna is skilled at developing the entire process from conception to completion. Her client portfolio includes RIBA and Hiscox Insurance, South Africa Tourism, Hermes, English Heritage, William Grant & Sons, UBS Wealth Management, NEOM and the LVMH Foundation.
Anna has a strong understanding of the arts and cultural sector, as well as the corporate and luxury brand world. Her impressive client portfolio is a testament of her success in building unique, mutually beneficial partnerships between brands and culture.
I’ve been working in the Arts for over 8 years now and have founded three companies. A live music events company organising world tours for Latin American artists, an immersive live music events company and my latest business, which is my lockdown baby called Chueco, an online platform connecting consumers of craft with independent makers.
Two years ago I started supporting Aysen in the management and delivery of our corporate creative partnerships for the Crafts Council and here we are today.
Aylen Genero
Associate Consultant
Having worked in the Arts sector for over 8 years, Aylen has worked in multiple start-ups, later moving on to found three of her own. Her first company created and delivered European music tours for Latin American artists as well as immersive live music events. She then moved on to work within conservation and sustainability, and her latest business, Chueco, was an online platform that connects consumers of functional craft with independent makers.
For over 5 years she has been working side-by-side with Aysen, looking after corporate creative partnerships for KAYA's various clients, and supporting her with business development, research and cultivation.
Aylen is undergoing an MA in Anthropology of Global Futures and Sustainability at SOAS University of London.
I’ve been working in the Arts for over 8 years now and have founded three companies. A live music events company organising world tours for Latin American artists, an immersive live music events company and my latest business, which is my lockdown baby called Chueco, an online platform connecting consumers of craft with independent makers.
Two years ago I started supporting Aysen in the management and delivery of our corporate creative partnerships for the Crafts Council and here we are today.
Arielle Chee-Davies
Creative Partnerships Senior Consultant
With over ten years' experience in communications for the luxury fashion industry, Arielle has led public relations at some of the most prestigious brands, including CHANEL and Louis Vuitton, across Oceania and North America. Her expertise encompasses PR, VIP & talent strategy, brand partnerships, and events & experience marketing, with a passion for creating positive social and cultural impact.
Following the launch of her own agency in 2022, Arielle has worked closely with brands such as CHANEL, Orlebar Brown, FibreTrace and AUSFF to develop programs and innovative PR strategies with a focus on sustainability, arts & culture and education, as well as partnering with contemporary artists to develop brand and corporate partnerships that support their creative endeavours.
I’ve been working in the Arts for over 8 years now and have founded three companies. A live music events company organising world tours for Latin American artists, an immersive live music events company and my latest business, which is my lockdown baby called Chueco, an online platform connecting consumers of craft with independent makers.
Two years ago I started supporting Aysen in the management and delivery of our corporate creative partnerships for the Crafts Council and here we are today.
Tim Jones
Cultural Placemaking Strategy Consultant
Tim is a cultural strategist and broker specialising in arts and placemaking since 2005. Working in every art form, Tim connects the commercial, cultural and civic sectors, with clients including Heathrow Airport, Wembley Park and for the ‘Avenue of the Arts’ in Boston.
From 2018 to 2023, Tim led Culture Mile, a major cultural district initiative developed in partnership with the Barbican Centre, the Museum of London, the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has since led the development of a new Cultural Planning Framework for the City of London Corporation, which will orchestrate developer-led contributions to culture across the Square Mile. Tim is a member of the Placemaking Leadership Council at the Project for Public Spaces and the Placemaking Collective UK.
I’ve been working in the Arts for over 8 years now and have founded three companies. A live music events company organising world tours for Latin American artists, an immersive live music events company and my latest business, which is my lockdown baby called Chueco, an online platform connecting consumers of craft with independent makers.
Two years ago I started supporting Aysen in the management and delivery of our corporate creative partnerships for the Crafts Council and here we are today.
Jenny Houghton
Fashion Industry PR Consultant
Having worked within the fashion and lifestyle industry for +20 years, Jenny has extensive experience heading up PR teams both in-house and agency based representing a broad spectrum of brands from established fashion designers, independent retailers, luxury brands and NGOs including Fashion Revolution.
Inspired by ethical and sustainable brands who aim to create impact and make their mark, Jenny focuses on creating impactful communications campaigns, delivering credible and relevant results for all clients.
She's also an Ambassador for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and an Associate Lecturer at the University for the Creative Arts in Epsom.
I’ve been working in the Arts for over 8 years now and have founded three companies. A live music events company organising world tours for Latin American artists, an immersive live music events company and my latest business, which is my lockdown baby called Chueco, an online platform connecting consumers of craft with independent makers.
Two years ago I started supporting Aysen in the management and delivery of our corporate creative partnerships for the Crafts Council and here we are today.
Sacha Lee
Creative Partnerships Consultant
With 30 years of experience in the Arts & Culture sector, Sacha has a winning combination of culture and commerce, being able to take a holistic view, identifying gaps of opportunity. Her background ranges from being a professional contemporary dancer, artistic directorship of a touring company and creative producer. As director of The Point in Hampshire, Sacha lead on major fundraising from stakeholders such as Esmee Fairbairn, Linbury Trust, Local Authority and Arts Council England. She has also curated and fundraised for a disused shop initiative programming performance, exhibitions and creative interventions invigorating the high street. More recently she has honed her commercial sensibilities working in interior & furniture design, leading on change management, business planning and capital development.
I’ve been working in the Arts for over 8 years now and have founded three companies. A live music events company organising world tours for Latin American artists, an immersive live music events company and my latest business, which is my lockdown baby called Chueco, an online platform connecting consumers of craft with independent makers.
Two years ago I started supporting Aysen in the management and delivery of our corporate creative partnerships for the Crafts Council and here we are today.
Hannah Obee
Visual Arts Consultant
With over 20 years’ curatorial and executive experience in the museum and heritage sector, including the Wallace Collection, Chatsworth and Harewood House, Hannah is a creative thinker with an entrepreneurial approach, combining culture and commerce to achieve results that bring rigour and credibility to organisations. An innovative programmer, she has delivered successful exhibitions including House Style in collaboration with Gucci, Modern Makers with Sotheby’s and the latest addition to the crafts and design sector, the Harewood Biennial.
Hannah will shortly be starting a PhD seeking to reframe how artistic narratives are researched and disseminated in order to contribute to a more equitable society.