Les Girafes by Compagnie OFF (Bradford 2025; Photo – Patrycja Maziarz)

Systems Design for Bradford 2025 (August 2024 – present)

Bradford is the UK City of Culture for 2025 – a huge celebration of one of the youngest, most diverse and dynamic places in the UK. Bradford 2025 is taking place throughout Bradford District, which covers 141 square miles across West Yorkshire. It features performances, exhibitions, events and activities inspired by the extraordinary variety of this landscape, from the city’s historic centre to the stunning countryside that surrounds it. It pays homage to Bradford’s heritage as everything from a former industrial powerhouse to the world’s first UNESCO City of Film. Most of all, it celebrates the people of Bradford, from local artists and creative organisations to the diverse communities who call Bradford home.

I have been working Bradford 2025 since August 2024 as a Systems and Processes Consultant, supporting the development, rollout and maintenance of a centralised Project Management system in order to ensure that the team are fully equipped for the delivery of their complex, multi-strand programme. This work has included workflow mapping, custom database design and configuration, design and build of multiple front-end interfaces and dashboards, and development of scripting and automations in response to bespoke requirements. My work has spanned across multiple departments, including the design of solutions for:

• Evaluation: A data-capture system for multiple evaluation metrics
• Finance: A full bespoke Finance module, enabling to team to build, manage and reconcile all project budgets within a single centralised system
• Engagement: A sophisticated tracker to capture the impact and reach of the Community Participation and Cultural Learning programmes
• Venues: Supporting the day-to-day operational requirements of the in-house teams running key Bradford 2025 venues