Amanda Saunders

Joyce Hytner
I first met Joyce many years ago via her company Act IV, and am now privileged to call on her wit, wisdom and insight as a friend. Joyce is passionate about the performing arts and is unfailingly generous with her time and advice. If we could all run our professional lives with Joyce’s generosity and knowledge, underpinned by expertise, organisation and the long view, we would be in a fine place. 
Monica Mason
I would walk over hot coals for Monica Mason, Director of The Royal Ballet. In my opinion, she has one of the most complex and demanding roles in the arts world. She handles the Company and the many people its work involves – dancers, choreographers, musicians, philanthropists, technical staff, costumiers – with equal respect. She manages the minute by minute changes inherent in live performance with such grace, intelligence and humour, whilst at the same time finding the space to look ahead, creating opportunities and the environment for the next generation of artists.
Claus Moser
After 12 years as a fundraiser, I moved into a whole new world when Claus Moser appointed me at the British Museum. Claus has one of the sharpest minds in the UK and has long been an inspiration to me. As my Chairman at the British Museum, where he worked across all of the organisation and its followers with erudition and style, we all knew him as a great music lover, academic, statistician, linguist, pianist and many enjoyed his inspiring friendship. Claus has a fabulous way of capturing the essence of a person in a few words with masterful, respectful irreverence.

Alec Reed
Alec has quietly, creatively and courageously done so much for the arts and wider charity sector in the UK and overseas. He is an exceptionally generous man with his time, with his passion for many subjects, and with his philanthropy. He leads by example, always eager to learn and to understand, and then to contribute his own knowledge and expertise, thinking laterally to come up with strategies that work brilliantly. Sitting with Alec for an hour watching dancers rehearse and create new roles in a ballet studio, provides me with ideas, energy, pride and many hours of happy reflection. His sheer love of the arts, combined with his energy and clarity of vision, always give me a great fillip. 
Sally Bacon
Whilst no one can fail to acknowledge the very positive mark Dame Vivien Duffield’s energy and philanthropy have had on our sector, Sally Bacon, the Executive Director of the Clore Duffield Foundation and friend of mine for 15 years, has played a quieter but no less important role with various grants programmes, including the Clore Leadership programme. During snatched lunches or at more formal meetings and events, Sally has consistently offered me sensible and perceptive advice about projects, people and trends, all of which I either use immediately or tuck away for another day. Sally is another passionate exponent of the arts and of the value of the arts – the depth and breadth of her experience gives her this bird’s eye view. Sally sees and knows all!