Hi, I’m
Simon Bowden
15a Kinghorne St, Strathmore Park,Wellington
Summary
A strategic thought leader with significant arts management, government and philanthropic sector achievements, Simon Bowden is a well-respected member of the creative, government and non-profit communities. Motivated by projects that benefit Aotearoa and generate positive shifts in culture, Simon is a skilled strategist with a track record for entrepreneurial and organisational success.
Overview
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Office Of The Deputy Prime Minister
Private Secretary, Minister of the Arts
03.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Provides subject matter expertise regarding arts, culture and heritage
- Manages complex information including briefings, policy documents, summaries, event information, speeches, parliamentary questions and official information requests
Ministry Of Arts, Culture And Heritage
Principal Adviser
11.2020 - 02.2023
Job overview
- Strategic advice to policy, delivery, communications and management.
- Fund design, management and delivery including assessment and charring.
Self Employed
Principal, Simon Bowden Consulting
04.2019 - 11.2020
Job overview
- Advice to clients such as Panuku Development Auckland, New Zealand Festival, CubaDupa Festival, Creative Capital Arts Trust, Harbour Asset Management and The GB Charitable Trust.
- Assignments included organisational strategy, event delivery, artistic advice, orientation towards a te ao Māori perspective, funding, sponsorship and philanthropic activation.
The Arts Foundation Of New Zealand
Executive Director
02.2002 - 04.2019
Job overview
- Generated and delivered vision, goals, strategy and objectives to achieve consistently high results.
- Managed financial, operational. governance and human resources to optimise performance.
- Cultivated organisation-wide culture of innovation and collaboration, including creating boosted.org.nz,which has raised over $11 million for the arts.
- Raised significant funds from donations, sponsorship and commercial revenue.
Education
Whitireia, Porirua, NZ
Certificate I from Te Reo Māori
11.2021
Massey University, Palmerston North, NZ
Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Business
09.2018
Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, NZ
Bachelor of Arts from Public Policy
12.2001
Wellington Conservatorium of Music, Wellington, NZ
Advanced Diploma Executant Music, Jazz Guitar from Music
12.1995
Skills
- Executive Leadership, governance, strategic planning, organisational structure, evaluation and reporting
- Fundraising, grant management, sponsorship, philanthropy and new ventures
- Brand development, marketing and communications, public speaking and facilitation
- Event design, direction & management
- Advanced non-profit structures, tax-effective giving and digital solutions for fundraising
- Machinery of government
- Strategic policy and delivery advice, research and evaluation
Accomplishments
- Simon grew the Arts Foundation of NZ's endowment fund from $2 million to $8 million and secured promised legacies of $27 million.
- He conceived and established boosted.org.nz, which has raised over $11 million for the arts.
- At the Arts Foundation, Simon granted $10.485 million to the arts.
- He increased cash sponsorship revenues by 245% and annual donations by 164%.
- Major Awards such as the Icon Awards were established under Simon’s leadership and the profile of Aotearoa artists grew significantly.
- Simon was integral to the design and delivery of the COVID 19 Arts, Culture and Heritage Cultural Recovery Fund at the Ministry for Arts, Culture and Heritage.
- As Chair of the Strathmore Park Community Centre Trust, Simon led the trust through a multi-million dollar building development that incorporated Te Aō Māori values and outputs.
- He established the Wellington International Jazz Festival, which has been running for almost 30 years
Timeline
Private Secretary, Minister of the Arts
Office Of The Deputy Prime Minister
03.2023 - Current
Principal Adviser
Ministry Of Arts, Culture And Heritage
11.2020 - 02.2023
Principal, Simon Bowden Consulting
Self Employed
04.2019 - 11.2020
Executive Director
The Arts Foundation Of New Zealand
02.2002 - 04.2019
Whitireia
Certificate I from Te Reo Māori
Massey University
Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Business
Victoria University of Wellington
Bachelor of Arts from Public Policy
Wellington Conservatorium of Music
Advanced Diploma Executant Music, Jazz Guitar from Music
Similar Profiles
Pearl N. PhiriPearl N. Phiri
Social Welfare Intern at Deputy Prime Ministers OfficeSocial Welfare Intern at Deputy Prime Ministers Office
JACQUELL COOPERJACQUELL COOPER
Office Assistant Intern at Office of the Prime MinisterOffice Assistant Intern at Office of the Prime Minister
Richard SsewakiryangaRichard Ssewakiryanga
Senior Technical Adviser, National Partnerships at Office of the Prime MinisterSenior Technical Adviser, National Partnerships at Office of the Prime Minister