Karl Newman was appointed CEO of Freewheelers Theatre & Media Ltd in May 2022. Prior to working for Freewheelers he worked in Arts Development at Surrey County Council and since graduating from art school in the 1980s has worked with or supported disabled artists and the organisations that support them. In 2011 Karl supported the development of DAiSY, Disability Arts in Surrey, and was a founder trustee of Stopgap Dance Co.
Karl is currently co-chair of the Surrey Cultural Partnership.
Outside of his work with Freewheelers Theatre & Media Ltd, Karl practices as a painter and has exhibited widely and has work in public and private collections.