Shoba Nahappan
London,UK
Summary
Innovative and driven with proven ability to lead projects and inspire teams, combined with strategic thinking and excellent communication skills. Adept in building partnerships and managing resources to drive business growth and operational efficiency. Ready to make significant impact as a Trustee.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Co-founder
SW London Women
London, England
02.2024 - 12.2024
- Organise quarterly events/supper clubs for women in our SW London and beyond, a community to connect – inspire – mentor
- Identified market opportunities for business expansion.
- Drove innovation with the implementation of creative ideas.
- Streamlined operations, improving overall productivity.
- Initiated partnerships with other businesses to enhance brand visibility.
- Boosted company reputation by ensuring exceptional customer service delivery.
- Navigated complex business challenges, achieving successful outcomes.
- Developed company policies for enhanced operational efficiency.
- Established brand identity through effective marketing campaigns.
- Encouraged a culture of continuous improvement for better performance results.
- Managed budget allocations, ensuring optimal resource utilisation.
- Two/threes Female speakers from varying backgrounds – Actress: Donna Air, Ophthalmic surgeon Miss Radhika Rampat, Art Historian, curator and author: Nicole Fleetwood to name a few
- Promoted brand at events and conferences and established strong reputation within industry.
- Networked with industry leaders, cultivating mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
- Established budgets based on historical, current and forecasted business data.
- Optimised online presence by building and managing company website and social media accounts.
- Led team meetings to improve communication and collaboration.
NYU Steinhardt Dean's Alumni Advisory Board member
New York University
New York, USA
06.2022 - 12.2024
- Organised Dean Knott’s first and welcome event in London in 2022 - NYU were proud to host a wonderful event at the Wellcome Collection in London celebrating the health benefits of the arts. With arts and wellness leaders from around the world.
- Hosted NYU event in London for alums together board member Parker Lynch
- Developed together with the advisory board – ‘The Spirit of Steinhardt Awards”
- Cultivated relationships with alumni for continued involvement and support.
Director Special Projects
Studio K and Ink Arts Pte Ltd
, UK
03.2022 - 12.2024
- Company Overview: (Singapore) – Director Special Projects (Part-time remote role)
- StART ART FAIR 2023 (London) – Represented Studio K (Singaporean artist) Single handedly set up and curated booth
- Collaborated with Emerse and presented first digital art work for Kumari
- StART ART FAIR 2022 (London) – Represented Studio K (Singaporean artist)Set up and curated booth together with artist Kumari Nahappan in 2022
- Liaising with and looking after existing and potential new clients of the studio (mainly high net worth individuals)
- Staff management
- Closed sale with several new clients
- (Singapore) – Director Special Projects (Part-time remote role)
- Served as official representative of organisation to public groups or government agencies.
CEO
Emerse Digital Cultures Pte Ltd
03.2023 - 10.2024
- Company Overview: (Singapore) – (Part-time remote role)
- Development of digital software for exhibitions
- Worked closely with software developer and technology team to create digital artwork collaborations with artists
- Successfully created four digtal artworks for artist Kumari
- Created vision for company direction, resulted in clear organisational objectives.
- Led strategic planning initiatives to secure company's future growth.
Director Special Projects
Studio K
09.2018 - 09.2018
- Company Overview: (Singaporean artist) (London)
- Contract Role
- Project Management
- Set up and curated booth together with artist Kumari Nahappan
- Liaising with and looking after existing and potential new clients of the studio (mainly high net worth individuals)
- Staff management
- Closed sale with new clients
Director
Shoba Gayathri Art Advisory
08.2008 - 12.2011
- Self employed
- Sales / Programme Management / Project Management / Business Development / Staff Management / Client Liaison
- Director, Special Projects and Business Development (Artist Manager for Kumari Nahappan), Ink Arts Pte Ltd
- 2011, Art Stage Singapore: represented Galerie Caprice
- Successfully closed sales for the gallery
- 2010, Art Circles: successfully developed Art Circle, a mentoring and networking event aimed at connecting arts professionals with future arts administrators, together with Arts Business Asia in collaboration with the Arts House Singapore
- 2010, Infinity Chilli Ring for The Business Times Budding Artists Fund: Project managed collaboration between artist Kumari Nahappan, Risis (a jewelry manufacturer) and the Fund in Singapore
- 2009, Organized 10 Year Anniversary and Re-opening of Sculpture Square, Singapore’s only sculpture centre
- Attended as Master of Ceremonies for the opening officiated by Minister Lui Tuck Yew, Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts
- Documented and edited the book on the History of Singapore’s first Sculpture Centre: Sculpture Square
Founder/Director
Gallery Eighty
09.2006 - 08.2008
- Project Management
- Founded Gallery Eighty, to represent, promote and sell art of Singapore and international emerging and mid-career artists
- Artists included: Nathalia Edenmont, Julian Opie, Ross Bleckner, Jane Hammond, Isca Greenfield-Sanders, Kumari Nahappan, Donna Ong
- Sales achievements: Constantly developing sales techniques to ensure sustainable growth for a startup gallery
- Achieved sales targets for exhibitions and exceeded sales expectations on Singaporean art shows
- Successfully made sales with property developers, architects and banks/funds
- Developed a network of collectors and worked with galleries from Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and USA
- Overall management/development of the gallery, sales and marketing, curating and organizing exhibitions, designed invitations, catalogues, press releases, liaising with artists, administrative duties, logistics and accounts, management and mentoring of gallery staff
- Built up database of artists, collectors, curators and art enthusiasts both locally and internationally
- Gallery closed in 2008, due to economic climate following the financial crisis - established Shoba Gayathri Art Advisory.
- Established company brand for improved visibility and recognition.
- Developed business strategy by conducting comprehensive market research.
- Increased staff productivity by introducing efficient work protocols.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers, secured competitive pricing and terms.
- Nurtured industry relationships, facilitated collaboration opportunities.
- Fostered an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity, boosted employee morale considerably.
- Networked with industry leaders, cultivating mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Negotiated and secured lucrative partnership with donors
- Established solid partnerships for enhanced market presence.
- Fostered a positive work environment, increased employee morale.
Intern
Artist Pension Trust
New York, USA
09.2005 - 05.2006
Special Events Intern
Whitney Museum of American Art
New York, USA
01.2005 - 06.2005
Gallery Registrar
Wetterling Gallery
Stockholm, Sweden
03.2004 - 06.2004
Education
Masters - Visual Arts Administration
New York University, Steinhardt School
New York 08.2004 - 05.2006
Honours - Anthropology
Monash University
Melbourne, Australia 07.2002 - 05.2003
Bachelor of Arts - Double Major in Anthropology and Visual Culture
Monash University
Melbourne, Australia 01.1999 - 12.2001
V.C.E -
St Catherine’s Girls School
Melbourne, Australia 07.1996 - 12.1998
GCSE & IGCSE -
United World College of South East Asia
01.1994 - 06.1996
Skills
- Business administration
- Business development
- Strategic planning
- Project budgeting
- Performance Management
- Operations management
- Financial management
- PR management
- Product positioning
- Product development and management
- Commercial and operational leadership
- Sales strategies
- Marketing management
- Customer relationship management
- Business networking
- Direct client presentations
- Business plan development
- Investor networking
- Startup pitch planning
- Market research
- Budget setting
- Entrepreneurial spirit
- Organisational structuring
- Strategy implementation
Certification
- 2002, Cours de Civilisation Francaise de La Sorbonne, La Sorbonne, (Paris, France), French, History, Art History
- 2000, Cataloguing Fine Art, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, (London)
Personal Information
Nationality: Singaporean (holding UK Permanent Residency)
Timeline
Co-founder
SW London Women
02.2024 - 12.2024
CEO
Emerse Digital Cultures Pte Ltd
03.2023 - 10.2024
NYU Steinhardt Dean's Alumni Advisory Board member
New York University
06.2022 - 12.2024
Director Special Projects
Studio K and Ink Arts Pte Ltd
03.2022 - 12.2024
Director Special Projects
Studio K
09.2018 - 09.2018
Director
Shoba Gayathri Art Advisory
08.2008 - 12.2011
Founder/Director
Gallery Eighty
09.2006 - 08.2008
Intern
Artist Pension Trust
09.2005 - 05.2006
Special Events Intern
Whitney Museum of American Art
01.2005 - 06.2005
Masters - Visual Arts Administration
New York University, Steinhardt School
08.2004 - 05.2006
Gallery Registrar
Wetterling Gallery
03.2004 - 06.2004
Honours - Anthropology
Monash University
07.2002 - 05.2003
Bachelor of Arts - Double Major in Anthropology and Visual Culture
Monash University
01.1999 - 12.2001
V.C.E -
St Catherine’s Girls School
07.1996 - 12.1998
GCSE & IGCSE -
United World College of South East Asia
01.1994 - 06.1996
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