Meet the Team | Cherry Lambert
Getting to Know Cherry Lambert, Senior Learning & Participation Manager at Portsmouth Guildhall
In this edition, we meet Cherry Lambert, Senior Learning & Participation Manager at Portsmouth Guildhall. Since joining the Trust in 2019, Cherry has played a key role in delivering programmes that connect young people and communities with creativity, culture and learning.
The success of our Conference & Events business helps generate income that supports these programmes, while shared spaces, skills and resources create opportunities for collaboration across the Guildhall. Get to know Cherry and discover how these two areas work together to create a lasting impact.
What is your role at Portsmouth Guildhall, and what are your main responsibilities?
I am the Senior Learning & Participation Manager at Portsmouth Guildhall. I lead a diverse portfolio of projects focused on learning, participation and community engagement, including The BASE, Dance Live!, Creative Careers activity, work experience programmes, and the transition and delivery of Portsmouth Music Hub. My role combines strategic planning, partnership development, budget management, safeguarding responsibilities, staff management and programme delivery, ensuring that our projects create meaningful opportunities for young people, schools and communities across Portsmouth.
How long have you been working at Portsmouth Guildhall?
I started on a part-time basis in 2019 with the start of Dance Live! and became full time in late 2020.
How does your work contribute to the overall success of Portsmouth Guildhall and its mission?
The Guildhall Trust exists to transform lives through culture, learning and participation. My work helps ensure that our impact extends beyond performances and events by creating opportunities for people to engage with music, creativity and culture in ways that support learning, wellbeing, personal development and social connection. Through our programmes, we work with schools, young people, artists, community groups and partners to make the arts more accessible and to help people build confidence, skills and aspirations.
What has been your most memorable moment or achievement in your career?
One of my proudest achievements has been the growth of Dance Live!. It’s an event that gives young people opportunities they may never otherwise experience. Seeing over 15,000 young people perform through Dance Live! since its inception and watching participants grow in confidence with fantastic creative moments are always memories I’ll cherish. Through every project we try and give our young people and communities their ‘Magic Moment’ and I’m privileged to have seen so many on our stages through the years.
How does the Conference business support Learning & Participation projects?
The Guildhall’s commercial activities, including conferences and events, help generate income that supports the wider charitable work of the Trust. This enables us to invest in events, programmes, facilities and opportunities that benefit local communities, schools and young people, helping us deliver social impact alongside our commercial success.
Is there any crossover between the two areas?
Absolutely. Many of the skills, relationships and resources that support conferences and events also support Learning & Participation activity. We share venues, technical expertise, marketing support, operational teams and industry connections. We also use conferences and events as opportunities to showcase our impact, build partnerships and create pathways between education, community engagement and the creative industries.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the team at Portsmouth Guildhall?
What I enjoy most is the variety. One day I might be working with schools, the next planning a large-scale event, sorting budgets, or supporting young people through one of our projects. I also enjoy working with a team that cares about what we’re trying to achieve and seeing the difference our programmes make for the people who take part.
Would you rather have unlimited free passes to every concert or festival in the world or unlimited free flights to anywhere in the world?
Definitely unlimited free flights, without hesitation! After long event days where I don’t leave the auditorium, I like to spend extra time in the sun.