Alumni Awards Judges
Artur is the founder and the President of HIGH FEST International Performing Arts Festival, a flagship theatre festival in Yerevan, which has has been recognised as one of the 24 best European festivals (EFFE Laureates) by European Festival Association.
Martin is a banking professional with over 20 years’ experience. He has been working in HSBC for the past 18 years and is currently leading wholesale banking business in Armenia. Starting from 2020 he has been the Chairman of the Board for Armenian British Business Chamber. Martin has a PhD degree in Economics from Yerevan State University and International Master of Science degrees from Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden.
Natalya brings 20 years of experience in management of development projects on gender equality, human rights, social cohesion, youth affairs, local governance and refugee/IDP issues. Previously, Natalya managed Armenian segment of Danish Refugee Council’s regional programmes and worked as trainer and consultant on non-profit management with Armenian Assembly of America’s NGO Training and Resource Centre. Natalya has studied International Relations at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
UK: Fashion Scout London
Armenia: Fashion and Garment Chamber of Armenia
This project’s objective is to strengthen the already established and successful Fashion Scout Armenia Award as a key component of Yerevan Fashion Week. Leveraging British expertise and best practices, the award enhances Armenia’s presence in the global fashion industry while opening new career-defining opportunities for talented young designers.
UK: Rejuvenate UK CIC
Armenia: Today Art
This is a participatory eco/bio art project that brings together both countries through two artists led residencies focusing on co-creation. Together, they will investigate climate change, environmental loss and ecological healing. Using natural materials, seeds, live plants, sound and visual art, the project will co-create temporary ecological artworks with local participants including youth, farmers and artists.
Steve is Head of Political and Press Section at the British Embassy in Yerevan and is Chair of the interview panel for Chevening Awards in Armenia. Steve has worked for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office for 17 years, in a career which has included full postings to Yerevan, Dhaka and Hanoi, shorter periods working in Moscow and Manila, and several London-based roles. Steve has a BSc (Hons) in Earth Sciences from the University of Durham.
UK: Tamasha Theatre Company
Armenia: NPAK
Folktales sit at the intersection of childhood and adulthood, reflecting the human condition in a way that transcends time and geography. For this iteration, they will pair a leading Armenian artist with a UK-based mid-career artist of Armenian heritage to create new works that adapt and transform these folktales. Together, the artists will co-create a reimagined folktale using multidisciplinary approaches, shared with both Armenian and UK audiences.
UK: The London Cloth Company
Armenia: Homeland Development Initiative Foundation
This project brings together artisans, weavers and rural communities to co-create new value in the Armenian wool sector. Centred on the November Wool Forum in Yerevan, activities include product design workshops, artisan training and the official launch of the Arm.Wool platform. Together they will experiment with design, revive spinning traditions and open new markets for Armenian wool.
Mkhitar is the President of the non-governmental organisation that breaks through stereotypes promoting innovative solutions in the fields of waste management, environmental protection, rural development, circular economy, and other activities that support the sustainable development of Armenia. Mkhitar is also a Member of the Public Council of the Minister of Environment of Armenia, and a trustee at Awesome Foundation Yerevan that supports various projects that advance innovation.