Downtown Pompey Welcomes Fabio Santos as Executive Director
Downtown Pompey is delighted to share some exciting news: Fabio Santos has joined the organisation as our new Executive Director, marking an important new chapter in the continued growth of our queer-led, community-powered arts organisation.
For those who know our work, Downtown Pompey has always been about creating culture that grows from the city itself. From heritage exhibitions and creative labs to participatory theatre projects, we make work that is rooted in Portsmouth’s real lives, real stories and real communities. As we move into a new phase of development, Fabio’s appointment brings both stability and fresh momentum to the organisation.
A Leader with Community at the Heart
Fabio brings a wealth of experience in arts leadership, organisational development, governance, fundraising and socially engaged arts practice. His career spans work in London, the Isle of Wight, across the UK and internationally, supporting organisations that place community relationships at the centre of ambitious artistic work.
Before joining Downtown Pompey, Fabio spent seven years at StoneCrabs Theatre Company on the Isle of Wight, where he served as Executive Director. During that time, he helped strengthen the organisation’s strategic growth, partnerships and operational resilience. His work championed socially engaged performance and helped build meaningful relationships between artists and communities.
A Moment of Growth for Downtown Pompey
Press release:
Downtown Pompey is delighted to announce the appointment of Fabio Santos as its new Executive Director, marking an exciting new chapter for the queer-led, community-powered arts organisation at the heart of the city’s cultural life.
Fabio brings extensive experience in arts leadership, spanning organisational development, governance, fundraising and socially engaged arts practice. He has worked in London, the Isle of Wight, across the UK and internationally.
Fabio joins Downtown Pompey after seven years at StoneCrabs Theatre Company on the Isle of Wight, where he served as Executive Director and played a key role in strengthening the company’s strategic growth, partnerships and operational resilience. During his tenure, he championed socially engaged performance, built meaningful community relationships and helped position the organisation as a vital cultural force.
Josh, Artistic Director of Downtown Pompey, said:
“Fabio brings the rare combination of strategic clarity and human warmth. He understands how to build structures that hold creative risk safely, and how to support artists and teams to do their best work. As we grow into our next phase, his leadership will help us turn big vision into practical reality.”
Downtown Pompey is known for making bold, place-based theatre, Heritage & Community work rooted in Portsmouth’s real lives, real stories. From large-scale heritage exhibitions to creative labs and participatory performance projects, the organisation creates work that is joyful, challenging and deeply connected to the communities around it. As the company transitions into charitable status and looks ahead to its long-term “Destination 2030” ambitions, Fabio’s appointment signals both stability and ambition.
Fabio Santos said:
“Downtown Pompey has built something truly special — rooted in community, creativity and care. Portsmouth deserves ambitious, high‑quality, community‑led artistic work, and Downtown Pompey is leading the way with joy at its heart. What excites me most is the clarity of the vision and the people behind it. I’m looking forward to working with Josh, the team, the Board, our partners and our communities to strengthen the structures that will hold this bold, joyful work as it grows. This is a pivotal moment, and I’m thrilled to help build the foundations that will carry Downtown Pompey into its next decade.”
As Executive Director, Fabio will lead on organisational strategy, governance, financial sustainability and partnerships, working closely with the Artistic Director and Board to ensure Downtown Pompey continues to raise ambition while remaining accessible, inclusive and proudly of its place.
Fabio begins his role in March 2026.
