Uzma is a highly experienced CEO and Executive Producer and passionate advocate for the transformative power of culture, media, technology and the arts in the pursuit of social change. Uzma’s work includes strategic business and programme planning, organisational change, talent development and facilitation with a focus on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. She develops experimental visitor programmes, festivals and events, delivering strategic business planning, organisational change, skills development and facilitation with a specialism in co-design methodologies and the use of data insights to unlock ambitions and harness opportunities in the cultural and creative sector.
Working with CEOs, Senior Management Teams and Boards in complex place-based partnership settings, with a range of public, third and private sector organisations, she supports the development of operating models to achieve financial resilience and organisational change for the modern world. Uzma’s approach puts creative placemaking at the heart of strategic planning.
She co-founded Threshold Studios, a leading creative agency fusing art and technology to invigorate public spaces in unexpected ways and the powerhouse behind Frequency International Festival of Digital Culture. Founded in 2011, Frequency has welcomed over 95,000 visitors to the historic city of Lincoln, celebrating art, heritage and culture. It is the UK’s leading cross art form festival that celebrates digital creativity and innovation whilst breaking down barriers for audiences to engage in cultural experiences they would normally not encounter in their everyday lives.
Whilst developing Threshold, she has worked with a wide range of clients through her consultancy work including Leeds 2023, Destination Lincolnshire, University of Leicester, Warp X Films, and Attenborough Arts Centre. She has also served on the Arts Council Regional Board and Area Council, consulted on policy frameworks for cultural strategies, as well as chairing and facilitating panels and speaker events such as REMIX London at Google HQ 2021.
Uzma was recognised on the 2016 New Years Honours List and received an MBE for her contribution to the Digital Economy.