May Calil

May offers experience in business development and change management, drawing on two decades of immersion in both public and commercial arts organisations. She is highly regarded as both a strategist and a global connector in the arts. She enjoys working with clients to identify and develop new business opportunities, create dynamic strategies that can be implemented and provide strategic counsel. 

As Membership Director of Cromwell Place from 2017–22, she led the launch of a highly innovative exhibition and working space in central London, stewarding this ambitious new organisation from concept to launch.

In the early part of her career, May worked as a fundraiser for creative organisations, and particularly arts institutions, working in development roles at both the Royal Academy of Arts and Tate. In 2011, she set up May Calil Consultants, providing strategic business expertise on change management, staff and board development, and revenue diversification to a wide range of clients. Over the course of seven years, she worked with the British Council, Frieze, Brunswick Arts, Bold Tendencies, Cass Sculpture Foundation, Create London, Open Source, the Stanley Picker Gallery and Dorich House Museum, and the Showroom.

She has extensive experience in non-executive roles, currently as Chair of Chisenhale Gallery and on the board of the Friends of Leighton House and Earshot. She previously sat on the boards of Auto Italia, Liverpool Biennial and the Chinati Contemporary Council, and founded the Royal Academy Young Patrons.

Of Lebanese origin, May has a Master’s degree from SOAS in Islamic art and architecture, focusing on the Ottoman period. She is a keen collector, with particular interests in photography, Lebanese and contemporary art – and has long been committed to supporting the careers of artists.