Pawlet Brookes MBE
Pawlet is the Founder, CEO and Artistic Director of Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage, a Leicester-based organisation committed to championing Black arts, heritage, and cultural equity in the UK and internationally. Under her leadership, Serendipity has become an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation and a national leader in archiving, producing, and programming work that makes the invisible visible.
A curator, producer, and advocate, Pawlet established Let’s Dance International Frontiers, an annual festival bringing global dance practitioners to Leicester and has spearheaded major initiatives including the Living Archive, preserving Black British arts and heritage for future generations.
Pawlet has previously been a Midlands Area Council Member, contributing her expertise to funding policy and sector strategy, and is a regular speaker on equity and representation in the arts. In recognition of her contribution, she was awarded an MBE for Services to the Arts and Cultural Diversity in 2022. She was presented with an Honorary Fellowship from Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 2023, an Honorary Doctor of Arts from De Montfort University in 2025, and an Honorary Fellowship from Falmouth University in 2025, marking her impact as both a cultural leader and an alumna of UK higher education.
Pawlet Brookes MBE has been appointed for a four-year term, from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2029.
Remuneration and Governance Code
The Midlands Area Chair receives an annual remuneration of £7,525. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election.
Pawlet Brookes MBE has declared no such political activity.
Notes to Editors
DCMS has around 400 regulated Public Appointment roles across 42 Public Bodies including Arts Council England, Theatres Trust, the National Gallery, UK Sport and the Gambling Commission. We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. To find out more about Public Appointments or to apply visit the HM Government Public Appointments Website.
