ABOUT THE TEAM

                                

Philip Barnett

Phil started in pantomime in Yorkshire aged 10 and that has led to a lifetime of treading the boards. It has offered some amazing experiences over the years, especially since starting Kidz R Us in 1994. Highlights have
been performing at the Royal Albert Hall, The London Palladium, directing the world premiere of This Ones On Me at the Criterion Theatre in the West End and directing the world premiere of the first show written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim Rice, The Likes Of Us. Favourite roles over the years include Emile in South Pacific, Rudi Kleber in The Dancing Years, Wild Bill Hickock in Calamity Jane and his biggest challenge as an ageing rocker
in A Slice Of Saturday Night!

The Minack Theatre is Phil’s favourite place in the world and he has been fortunate to appear on stage and direct shows there many times.  In the early 1980’s Phil opened Headquarters on Tregenna Hill, St Ives, the
first of his five salons, and was in business for over 25 years. He still
manages to drag his weary bones to Donna’s Hair Design on a Thursday to coif his very loyal clients, many of whom have been with him for four decades!

One of the best experiences of his life was appearing on the BBC’s The People’s Strictly in 2015 as one of six contestants, having been chosen out of 11,000 people who were nominated by friends and family to raise funds for Comic Relief. Phil was thrilled to dance the American Smooth Foxtrot to the
song Big Spender with Janette Manrara as his partner. Kidz R Us has been the most amazing organisation to be a part of for over 25 years now and it’s been a wonderful privilege to lead so many talented people on stage and off and to get to know so many fantastic parents and volunteers! Here’s to the next 25 years!!!

Angela Skitt

I trained in dance from the age of 3 years old and my childhood memory is one of dance studios, weekends away training in classical ballet and taking part in theatre productions with Handsworth operatic society in Sheffield, which was a long family tradition!

At 16 I went on to study and worked in promotions, modelling and dabbled in some TV work along the way to fund myself through college. Once qualified I secured a position at the Jessop hospital for women working on the midwifery wards and Postnatal wards.

I worked on NICU (Neo Natal intensive care unit ) working with premature and very poorly babies and this led me to I take an intensive 12-month course so I could work permanently on that unit.
I loved this job however my lust for travel saw me leave after 3 years and head off to America to work, a decision that was the best decision I had ever made.

I returned to the UK after travelling around many Southern states and took up a position with Proctor & Gamble. I worked as a junior sales manager, senior sales in to Area management, Sales Trainer and national accounts and then finally as National Field sales manager/UK sales manager for the pharmacy division I Had a team of around 50 people to manage and several direct reports .It was a demanding role, however a fantastic time to be in sales. I specialised in Sales training, Negotiation and recruitment and worked here for 15 years.

I left to work for le Creuset as a Senior manager before leaving to have my children.

I Moved down to Cornwall 9 years ago with my Husband and three children and stumbled upon Kidz R Us by accident when I friend of mine invited us to the panto. All three of my children have been through kidz and had the most amazing experiences here and made friends for life. I love the work I do here as a Trustee and as Rehearsal Choreographer I get to indulge in my passion once again. I am totally in awe of what kidz R Us achieves year after year and hope to be a part of this team for a very long time.

Pam Hayes

I have been fortunate to work in a broad range of areas within education, training and professional management. I have a BA Humanities Degree, PGCS, post graduate Business Diploma and professional qualifications in Human Resource Management.

Secondary trained as an English teacher, I moved into FE lecturing ultimately in the role of Head of Faculty of business studies and tourism. I managed a 14-19 programme in Bristol, working with excluded children developing creative approaches to learning through practical work-related training programmes in performing arts, sport, hair and beauty, childcare, catering, sport and construction.

Outside of education I spent 10 years in industry, 5 years with a large law firm as Head of HR, and 3 years as HR Director of Aardman Animation when they were working on the Chicken Run movie. I subsequently spent 10 years as an education/management consultant and adviser and was an assessor for an examination board involved in the Creative Arts.

I also had a public role as member of a Council whose role it was to identify and allocate funding to learning and skills development. The skills I bring to Kidz R Us include People Management and Communication, Training and Development and Funding. I love working with young people and am totally committed to the work of Kidz R Us.

Tracy George

After leaving school, I trained to be a hairdresser and ran my own mobile hairdressing business for 3 years. During that time I became a mum to 3 and decided a career change would be good. So I took the plunge and started training to be a Teaching Assistant. I have been working in Education for the last 17 years at St Mary’s C of E School Penzance, working will children between the ages of 4 and 11. I love my role as you are involved in different opportunities and everyday is different.

Myself and my youngest son joined Kidz R Us back in 2011 and both haven’t looked back since. It has been the best thing we have ever done. I have volunteered in many of the different areas at Kidz R Us and I enjoy every minute. I became a trustee last year where I was given the role of Health and Safety officer. Kidz R Us is an amazing place for both adults and children and I hope to remain involved with it for many more years to come.