Throughout Hester’s career her focus has been on helping enable young people to fulfil their potential through creativity and the arts. She is currently Chief Executive of Awards for Young Musicians (AYM). 

AYM help talented young musicians from low-income families fulfil their potential and overcome financial and social obstacles, while also supporting the music education sector through training, advocacy, and research. AYM is both an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation and a National Youth Music Organisation.

Hester previously led a multi art form organisation delivering creative learning programmes in schools with young people, teachers, and artists, producing major collaborative performances and long-term creative team initiatives.

Prior to this she led a poetry and literature agency, producing its annual festival, education programmes and public art and cross-art commissions.

Her consultancy with Harmony Works includes evaluation of Creative Partnerships and youth arts programmes and designing contemporary literature promotions. 

Hester is delighted to be able to contribute her experience in creative education as a member of the Board of Trustees at Harmony Works Trust.