The Team

At Sun Pier House, our team is passionate about supporting creativity, culture, and community in Medway. With years of experience in the arts, events, and business, we work together to make Sun Pier House a vibrant hub for artists, entrepreneurs, and local residents.

Our team is made up of passionate creatives, organisers, and problem-solvers. We support local artists, manage studio spaces, plan events, and host community projects – but we also take care of the less glamorous (but equally important!) stuff, like admin, maintenance, finances, and making sure the WiFi actually works.

Whether we’re curating exhibitions, fixing a leaky tap, sending invoices, or setting up for Medway Open Studios, we do it all with a love for creativity and community. Sun Pier House wouldn’t be the same without our small but mighty team working hard behind the scenes.

Want to put faces to the names? Meet the people who make it all happen below!

Heather Burgess – Director

Heather is Medway born and bred and enjoys creating positive change in her home towns. Alongside Sun Pier House she founded and runs Medway Open Studios & Arts Festival, Medway Arts Forum and Tiller & Wheel CIC.

Edward Gransden – Director

Ed grew up on the salt marshes of Medway. He is passionate about sailing and getting more people out on the water to experience the beautiful estuary. Alongside Sun Pier House he is a qualified Bargemaster and Skipper, running Tiller & Wheel CIC.

Dan Russell – Assistant Manger

Dan supports Heather and Ed with every aspect of the organisation, venue management and studio liaison. Alongside his role, Dan is an artist, maker and jeweller running his own practice from a studio at Sun Pier House.

Hannah Stevenson – Assistant Manager 

Hannah plays a key role in keeping Sun Pier House running smoothly, focusing on marketing and fundraising. Hannah is passionate about making art more accessible in her home town of Medway.

Monty – Café Assistant

Monty is the face of our café, he loves serving up drinks and talking to the customers. Alongside working at Sun Pier House, Monty is a very active artist working on new projects every week with a particular passion for gore. 

Wendy Daws – Non Executive Director

Wendy is the director of MESS ROOM and works across sectors: Arts, Heritage, Public Heath, Local Authority, Education and collaborates with many arts organisations always with the emphasis to empower others

Xtina Lamb – Non Executive Director

Xtina is the director of Intra Arts Ltd a community arts venue and maker space, she has deep roots in the community, co-creating festivals, hosting exhibitions and helping people find creative pathways to better wellbeing.