ANAMARIA WILLS is the Chief Executive of the Creative Industries Development Agency (CIDA) which she set up in January 2000.

Prior to that, Anamaria had worked in the creative sector for over 25 years, ranging from Head of Marketing at the NT to Executive Director of various theatres, large and small, during which time she won the Theatrical Management Association national award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatrical Life, citing "daring artistic innovation, internationally as well as in the community and its region; for providing a dance theatre for Britain; and for setting an example in the management of theatre."

In 2000, she moved to work more strategically, helping to strengthen the sector as a key driver of economic development. She set up CIDA to "work with and through partners - from major foundations to SMEs and from individuals to Governments - to create economically successful communities and businesses."

CIDA now works across the UK and internationally. The company provides artists and creative entrepreneurs with professional development and business support, helping them to maximise their potential for earning from their creativity. It also uses creative activities as a tool for empowerment and growth, working with young people, with traditional management teams, with women and with communities.

Anamaria is a founder member of Yorkshire Forward's Creative and Digital Cluster Steering Group; Chair of Skillscene, the national organisation contributing to a competency and work-based qualifications framework for people in the live arts; and a member of the Project Team for the Government's Creative Industries Knowledge Transfer Network.

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