Meet the team behind the award-winning Razzamataz Theatre School franchise. Our people are at the very heart of what we do and many have been there since the very beginning.
Our Founder and Managing Director is still very much involved in the day to day running and decision-making and is supported by a team of professionals who bring their own unique skills and experience to the schools and who all share a passion for performing arts.
“We are privileged to work with young people in the performing arts, to watch them grow and help shape their experiences. I’m so proud of our team of Head Office staff and Principals for the work they do and the commitment they extend to the students of Razzamataz and the lasting legacy that we are creating.”
The quality of our entire team reflects the quality of the franchise opportunity we offer, and if you feel like you have what it takes to run a Razzamataz school then we’d love to meet you.
Denise Hutton-Gosney
Managing Director and Founder
Managing Director and Founder
Denise is as dedicated about Razzamataz as she was when she opened her first school in 2000 in Penrith, Cumbria. Denise is still very much involved in the day to day running and decision-making and works closely with all franchisees to create schools focused on excellence in training and creating amazing opportunities for students.
• Multi-award winning franchisor.
• Alumni & Ambassador for The Princes Trust.
• Winner of the BFA Franchisor of The Year Award!
• Former professional dancer and acrobat.
• Successfully appeared on BBC’s Dragons’ Den.
• Top 5 most memorable pitches in The Den!
• Mum to two boys.
“Razzamataz is my baby and a business that I feel so passionately about. It’s a privilege to have spent my life working in the performing arts industry and supporting franchisees to build their own successful theatre schools.”
Fun fact: Denise is a fitness fanatic, can still do a headstand and caved into her boys when they asked for a rabbit and a hamster.
Jason Gosney
Operational Support
As the Operations Support for Razzamataz Theatre Schools, Jason brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the company. He has demonstrated his operational prowess by handling various aspects of our business, including franchise compliance, Health & Safety, communication and more recently retail. His dedication to providing logistical support ensures that our franchisees have everything they need to run their businesses seamlessly. His expertise in communication and partnership building ensures that our stakeholders and franchisees are informed, involved and encouraged to take ownership of their businesses. His vast experience has been significantly valuable to the growth and smooth running of the Razzamataz team over the years.
We are proud to have him as part of the Razzamataz family, and we look forward to his continuing contribution for many more years to come! Jason has been part of the founding of Razzamataz, being Denises’ husband, and dad to Callum & Lewis.
Fun fact: Jason has a love of all things two wheels, and his favourite sport being Speedway!
Hayley Limpkin
Strategic Support & Business Development
For more than 18 years, Hayley has been passionate about harnessing leadership potential, working with start-ups, SMEs, education providers, and high-profile corporate clients such as Paramount Film Studios and Virgin Atlantic. As a consultant, coach and mentor, she specialises in strategy, creating culture and supporting innovation for people and products. Hayley is a member of the Association of Business Mentors, mentoring small businesses as part of the UK Government’s Help to Grow Scheme.
As consultant, coach and mentor Hayley draws from her impressive business and performing arts background to support small businesses as well as being the network business coach for Razzamataz Theatre Schools. Hayley draws from her 12 years as a highly successful Razzamataz franchise partner to support others in the network with her areas of specialism including understanding how to create the right culture, harnessing your leadership potential, innovation for people and products and sales and marketing strategy. During her time as a Franchise Partner, she won various accolades including a double win at the British Franchise Association HSBC Franchise Awards 2018, winning Franchisee of the Year and People’s Choice Award.
Hayley has has been part of the team who has successfully secured partnerships with Mattel, TUI, Center Parcs, Bourne Leisure, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox as well as pioneering and founding new products for the network; Razz Project Intense, Competition Squads and Razz Acrobatic Arts.
Hayley is passionate about mentoring young people to grow their potential through the life skills and resilience that is gained through the performing arts. She has co-founded a unique programme in England within a sixth form setting, allowing students to achieve their full potential, both academically and vocationally in the arts.
Hayley is a purpose driven leader and part of a community project raising £1million to support the futures of young people.
Hayley helps leaders understand how to bridge the gap between the skills that are learnt in schools and what is needed in the modern workplace.
Matty Rayson
Operations Manager
Matty joined Razzamataz in 2010 at the age of 16 as work experience working at Razzamataz Carlisle. He took over as Franchise Partner & Principal at Razzamataz West Cumbria in 2018 and joined the Head Office team in 2022.
• Trained in Drama Performance & Technical Theatre and has ran large scale events in the Education sector for over 6 years.
• Arts Award Advisor (Bronze & Silver)
• FSB North West Community Award Winner 2022
“I love Razzamataz because of the impact our classes have on young people and our communities. Helping young people develop their confidence, gain new skills and explore the wonderful industry of Performing Arts through amazing opportunities and experiences such as the West End. Razzamataz plays a big part in my life and I love the flexibility it brings, especially now being a new parent"
Fun fact: Matty has a terrible shoe addiction, which started whilst on his Drama course at University. Oh and he loves Christmas!
Karen Keeman
Public Relations Advisor and content creator
Karen joined Razzamataz in 2010 and works with franchisees to advise on all things PR and media. Karen creates content that can be used to help raise the profile of Razzamataz, attracting new franchisees and students. This includes the network’s own dedicated student magazine, RazzaMagazine.
• Journalist and awards writer.
• Media trainer.
• Blog writer.
• Mum to two teens.
“There’s never a shortage of amazing stories to tell at Razzamataz. From the incredible students to the inspiring franchisees, it’s always a pleasure to create content about the magical benefits of performing arts.”
Fun fact: Karen and Denise first met when they were young dancers and despite living at opposite ends of the country, regularly meet up for work and fun.
Suzie McCafferty
Business Consultant to MD
Multiple-award winner Suzie is a powerhouse in the franchise industry. She works closely with Razzamataz to help support our franchisees grow businesses and smash their goals, as well as hosting our annual Conference and Regional Meetings.
• Chairperson for the Scottish Franchise forum and EWiF Scotland
• Member of the British Franchise Association
• Chamber of Commerce Business Mentor
• International franchise experience
• Mum to a 3 year old Diva in Training
“For me, the Razzamataz brand shines as an example of what can be achieved when you combine amazing people with a fabulous franchise model. More than 20 years of hard work has led to a network of empowered business owners, a host of well-deserved awards and thousands of happy parents and kids. I am so proud to be part of the Razz family!”
Fun fact: Despite being rarely seen out of a business suit or evening dress, Suzie is actually happiest in a wetsuit or riding boots. However, she has yet to find a reason to wear both at the same time!
Claire Walford
Systems Support & Brand Compliance
Claire combines working with Head Office with being a long-standing franchisee of Razzamataz Yeovil. Her background working with numerous financial and IT software programmes makes her ideal for supporting Razzamataz franchisees with improved technology and systems.
· Supports HO with financial analysis, plus software training & development.
· BA (Hons) degree in Economics & Econometrics.
· Qualified as a Management Accountant.
· Successful working parent.
“I am proud to be the Principal of Razzamataz Yeovil and see the development of our students and staff every week. Working for Head Office, providing financial data and systems support, now gives me a fantastic extra challenge that allows me to use my professional training to assist our entire network.”
Fun fact: Claire was an avid swimmer as a child, competing in synchronised swimming with her club team at Kent County level. At one time she could hold her breath underwater for a full minute.
Asha Richardson
Franchise Training & Support
Asha’s love for performing arts started in early childhood – she danced before she could walk and sang before she could speak. Asha trained at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts in Liverpool and graduated with a BA Hons in Community Drama. Over the last decade Asha has balanced becoming a Razzamataz Franchise partner, with having two young boys, running her own charity and also being the Chairperson at her local nursery - she is a talented plate spinner!
Asha joined the Razzamataz family in 2018. In September 2020, our 20th anniversary year, Asha became the new principal of Razzamataz Penrith, and has since developed the school to Razzamataz South Lakes. Asha is another one of our team who eats, sleeps and breaths all things Razzamataz. She is a founding member of the Razzamataz All Stars Academy and sits on our Franchise Advisory Council. Asha is passionate about sharing the franchise model with others and is driven to help grow the Razzamataz brand up and down the country, alongside being a full-time mum to both her little boys.
Asha is an award winning principal:
EWiF "Young Woman in Franchising" Finalist 2023
BFA “Lifestyle Franchisee” Winner 2022
FSB “Community Business Award” North West Winner 2022
Pride of Cumbria “Community Business of the Year” Finalist 2021
Diverse Cumbria Awards “Business Champion” Finalist 2021
James Pennell-Tutill
Recruitment, Events & Social Media Support
James has been immersed in the world of performing arts since he was a child, and his passion has taken him on an incredible journey as an actor, singer, director, and musical arranger across the UK. He has even written an original musical. Fluent in 3 languages (and not too bad in another!), James combined his love of performing with his language skills to teach music in France for a year. During his time there, he also recorded and performed his own original music. James has been at Razzamataz Newcastle since their 2016 launch and took over as principal in 2020. The school won the Best Variety Showcase award for James’ first show as producer, and the school continues to go from strength to strength. He is passionate about helping young people to achieve their goals, as well as ensuring that all those who want to be a part of the performing arts (whether for fun, to build confidence, or as a career), can. As well as being one of the principals of Razzamataz Newcastle, James works as a teacher and vocal coach.
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Amber Gibney
Early Years Support
Amber Gibney is the Principal at Razzamataz Stockton-on-Tees which launched in September 2022. Amber has been passionate about Performing Arts for as long as she can remember and the benefits it brings to the lives of young people.
Since graduating with her First Class BA Hons Performing Arts Degree in 2018, Amber has worked in theatres up and down the country in various roles from performing to Stage & Production Management and theatre technician to. Amber was lucky enough to join Asha and the Razzamataz South Lakes team in 2020 as a teacher and fell in love with everything Razzamataz had to offer. Quickly developing her role, Amber became Assistant Principal in 2021 and later opened her own school back in her home town in 2022. Amber is delighted to now be working with the team at Head Office to support other Principals and give back to the network.
'I am truly passionate about what Razzamataz has to offer and am so grateful for all of the opportunities that have been sent my way. I am really excited to see where this journey takes me.'
NSPCC
Safeguarding & Child Protection Support
Gillian Sommers
Safeguarding Officer
Having spent the last 23 years in further education and training, Gill is acutely aware of the risks and dangers that young people and vulnerable adults face. She has worked with a wide range of organisations across England and Wales including schools, colleges, independent training providers and charities supporting them to not only develop robust safeguarding policies and procedures but embed safeguarding across their organisation. As a former police officer, Gill has a wealth of experience in investigation and case law and a keen interest in how serious case reviews inform legislation and good practice. Gill has a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Management, a degree in post-compulsory education and is qualified at Level 5 in Safeguarding.
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