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MEET THE TEAM

Meet Our Team

At the core of  Edinburgh Open Workshop is an experienced and friendly collection of folk ready to help you get started on your next project, or get you learning how to make your next project!

Co-Founder, Managing Director

Natasha Lee-Walsh

Natasha trained in Stage Management & Theatre Production at QMC. For over 25 years she has worked for some of Scotland’s leading large-scale theatre and production companies and others all over the world as a Stage Manager, Project Manager and Producer. When she’s not planning for the present and future of EOW, Tash manages the day to day of Big House Events, a set design, set construction, staging, and stage hire company. When she’s not engaged in either of these functions, you can find her outside, preferably with water, mountains and trees in the mix.
Co-Founder

Stuart Nairn

After a brief time in the Civil Engineering sector, Stuart moved into the Event and Theatre industry, where he has now worked for over 22 years. At the start of his career, Stuart toured live events as a Stage and Production Manager to venues across Scotland; the UK and abroad. While shoe-horning sets into venues and adjusting things to fit, he realised set building would become his future full-time occupation. When he is not wearing his EOW cap, he is the director of Big House Events, a set design, set construction, staging, and stage hire company.
Co-Founder

Nicola Milazzo

Nicola was a maker before she knew that it had a name and you could do it for a living. After a few false starts and wrong turns she discovered the theatre and events sector, trained at Edinburgh’s Telford College and has now been working in the industry for over 20 years. Specialising in textiles and stagecraft, alongside regular commissions from local and international festivals she is Set Designer for the Howden Park Centre Christmas Panto. When not making ever more mad and random items, she can be found slumped in front of the TV watching repeats of bad afternoon quiz shows.
Workshop Manager

JJ McGregor

For the last 15 years JJ has specialised in working with scenery for theatre and live events. His previous role with Big House Events was Project Management and Construction Lead on a wide variety of projects from stage installs to small props to large scale set builds. With a background in Technical Stage Management and Scenic Carpentry, JJ has a diverse range of fabrication skills working predominantly in metal and wood. His worst habit in the workshop is putting other people's tools away and cleaning around them as they work… he looks forward to doing that for a living from now on.
Development Manager

Jessi James

Dabbling in the arts sector for over 10 years, Jessi has a varied background in project management, funding and development, marketing, and creative learning curriculum. She has worked with both nationally and internationally funded creative projects through the US National Endowment for the Arts, The Cultural Trust of Oregon, Edinburgh International Festival, and the National Trust. When not wearing official trousers, she is a writer, connoisseur of cakes, and the mad woman who chats with her dog in the park.
Membership Engagement & Marketing Officer

Rosie Baily

With her roots in art event management, Rosie has worked in a spectrum of creative roles from production offices (WOMAD, Hay Literature and End of the Road), through to curation (at Auckland City Art Gallery and Gus Fisher) and Floristry (at Apercu); All with a good dollop of cafe, retail and horsey roles. When she is not bobbing around EOW, you will find her roaming the hills, travelling to foreign lands, drinking coffee, doing experimental cooking and listening to funky tunes.
Duty Technician

Kirsty McKain

One half of the Fine Piece creative team, Kirsty also shares her fancy skills to support EOW members at the workshop – ensuring that all members work in a safe environment with help on tap where needed. When not wearing her Duty Technician hat, Kirsty designs and creates one-off pieces of furniture and homeware, with an emphasis on using reclaimed materials. She also teaching Wood Turning, and the Basics of Woodworking here at EOW – so no matter what you do in the workshop, you might find yourself getting a helping hand from her friendly face!
Duty Technician

Niamh Hughes

Niamh is an Irish visual artist and maker. After graduating with a degree in Fine Art Applied Materials at NCAD in Dublin, she moved to Edinburgh to work within the creative sector. Niamh has showcased her visual art at many festivals and exhibitions, with a focus on painting, paper-cut work, textiles and sculpture. Currently operating as Workshop Apprentice at EOW she’s excited to learn more about various wood, metal and material processes, while assisting with day-to-day duties around the workshop. If you need a second set of hands to paint, sweep or sand down your project - give Niamh a shout! When she isn’t donning work gloves and overalls, you can find Niamh headed to art galleries or the cinema.
Branch Manager & Secondary Doorbell

Pepper

Pepper is an excellent asset to the team – working effortlessly under pressure, keeping balls in the air, and four legs (mostly) on the ground. When you come see us, bring biscuits and she’ll be your friend for life!