Staff Team
Julie’s career in the arts started when she was four years old, with a passion for ballet and dance. After gaining a BA Hons Degree in Creative Arts (Theatre and Contemporary Art) Julie went on to become a freelance lecturer for South East Derbyshire College, set up a small scale touring theatre company that created and performed original work called Cloak and Dagger and worked as a freelance dance and drama practitioner. Julie became Director of People Express in 1992 as a job-share, also working for disability led organisation East Midlands Shape, and took over the post full time in 1994. Julie discovered the world of ‘participatory and community arts’ at an inspirational conference in Dublin, and has been passionate about and committed to the principles of community development and empowerment through the arts ever since. Julie currently lives with her husband in Belper and has three daughters and four adorable grandsons.
Julie Batten (she/her)
CEO
Safeguarding Lead
Kalila grew up in South Derbyshire, and has been involved with People Express since she did her work experience placement with the organisation at the age of 15. She studied Theatre, minoring in Textual practices, at Dartington College of Arts, receiving a first class BA Hons degree. She joined the team at People Express through a paid graduate internship, after which she took on the role of Arts Engagement Co-ordinator. She is a trained Arts Award adviser at all levels. She would say the the best part about her job is the wonderful people in the diverse communities she gets to meet on a daily basis and have the opportunity to work alongside. Kalila is currently a trustee and treasurer for Arts Derbyshire, a District Councillor, Governor for Belmont Primary School and academy trustee for The William Allitt Academy. She lives with her partner and their dog, Bernie in Swadlincote.
Kalila Storey (she/her)
Programmes Manager
Environmental Champion
Julie is originally from Coalville and having lived in Castle Gresley for 33 years, Julie has over 30 years of experience in Office Administration, Problem Solving, Payroll, Governance and Financial Accounting which includes general bookkeeping, projected income and expenditure, cashflows and end of year accounts. She started working part-time for People Express many years ago when she started having and raising her family. She enjoys meeting people from all of the different communities in South Derbyshire, and the variety of projects undertaken by People Express – seeing the journey that people who take part in projects take and the changes it makes to their lives. In her spare time, she likes to read, knit and look after her grandchildren and spend quality time with her family and friends.
Julie Goodwin (she/her)
Finance & Admin Officer
Charlotte loves the creative arts and has a BA Hons degree in Fine Art. She joined the team at People Express in 2023, gaining a paid graduate internship.
She has experience as an Assistant Leader for a Guide unit (girls aged 10 – 14) and is a Youth Leader, teaching life skills and building people’s confidence. With a strong passion for creativity and a deep appreciation for artistic processes; she wants to share this passion with others.
Charlotte is an emerging artist, and her main interest is capturing nature's beauty, whether through photography or painting watercolour or acrylic landscapes. She seeks to show the serenity of the natural world and the delicate interplay of colour and light, explicitly focusing on the landscapes of England UK.
She enjoys Ballroom and Latin dance as exercise and playing the Piano in her spare time. She lives in Staffordshire.
Charlotte Lewis (she/her)
Arts Engagement Intern
