Compiling decades of specialised experience in the creative and cultural sectors, our staff team is the driving force behind the AOI’s daily operations. Friendly and knowledgeable, they are always on hand to support all members.
Our Staff Team
Monday to Thursday
Rachel Hill
CEO
Having previously worked as the AOI’s Membership Director, and as an Illustration Agent, Rachel has built a career in championing the illustration community, to ensure illustrators are valued, protected, and celebrated!
Monday to Friday
Tsveta Todorova
Finance Manager
Tsveta is your finance person, and the one behind replies to finance queries. When she is not counting digits, she likes discovering the world and its wonders. Great cook, terrible baker! Passionate about people and creative things.
Monday to Friday
Derek Brazell
Publishing & Membership Manager
Derek is part of the Membership team, heads up Inside Illustration and also works with our CEO on campaigning for illustrators’ rights. He was an illustrator for many years and has co-authored several successful books on illustration.
Monday to Friday
Sarah Morris
Membership Manager
Sarah oversees and nurtures the Membership department. A former Illustration Agent, she has a wealth of commercial knowledge from working with a wide variety of clients. She is passionate about illustration and helping make the industry more accessible.
Monday to Wednesday
Sabine Reimer
Awards Manager
Sabine cherishes the opportunity to showcase the fantastic creativity shown in illustration throughout the world, celebrating it through the Awards. Her background is in Integrated Design and she also works with IP lawyers at Saunders Law.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
Marianna Madriz
Communications Coordinator
Marianna is the person behind the communication of all AOI activities online and writing (almost) every members’ newsletter since 2015. An illustrator herself, she’s worked with Templar, Hachette and Laurence King Publishing among others.
Tuesday and Friday
Helen Ridley
Awards Coordinator
Helen curates communications from our Awards team as well as running awards events, online showcases and the WIA touring exhibition. She also works as a freelance live illustrator and workshop host, with clients including Westfield and John Lewis.
Monday to Thursday
Natasha Knight
Membership Executive
Natasha advises and supports Members; hosts AOI events & College Masterclasses; writes News articles’ and leads on our Folios’ Curated Galleries. She loves championing underrepresented illustrators and analogue works. Previously at House of Illustration (now QBCI), she holds a BA (Design Studies) and an Illustration MA from Falmouth University.
Monday, Tuesday and Friday
Tania Duarte
Membership Administrator
Tania looks after the admin side of membership and keeps the AOI records organised. She has a background in Fine Art and has worked in various cultural institutions in both the UK and her native Portugal. When she’s not in the office, you are most likely to find her hands-on gardening.
Available throughout the week
Dave Bain
Meet Ups Coordinator
Passionate about the power of creative communities, Dave oversees all our illustrator meet-ups, providing them with advice and support. He also hosts several of our online sessions, on a freelance basis. Based in Bristol, Dave has an ongoing illustration practice with a growing portfolio of site-specific commissions.
Tuesday to Friday
Sade Popoola
Communications Assistant Trainee
As part of our Communications team, Sade assists the AOI with digital communication, social media and content creations. In addition to this, she is a freelance illustrator who uses vibrant colours and heavy textures to celebrate culture and identity.
Our Consultants
Fig Taylor
Portfolio Consultant
Fig ran her own illustration agency and subsequently worked for several others, giving her a wealth of experience when it comes to unlocking a portfolio’s full potential. She lectures at London Metropolitan University.
Alice Desmond
Portfolio Consultant
An Agent Ambassador at Illustration X, Alice has experience working with a vast variety of clients in different industries. She provides portfolio consultations to artists privately, via agencies and via the AOI.
Alice is currently on Maternity leave until late 2026.
Tess Redburn
Portfolio Consultant
Tess is a creative strategist and producer. A former agent at Central Illustration Agency, she now works with The Place Bureau, commissioning and producing visual projects for the public realm. She also guest lectures at Bath Spa and UWE.
Alison Branagan
Business Consultant
Alison Branagan is an author, visual arts and creative industries consultant. She is also an Associate Lecturer at Central Saint Martins. She provides 1-1 business and strategy advice to AOI Members.