St. James’s Place and Sky Arts Sponsorship

SJP Sky Arts - Art made easy

We are delighted to sponsor Sky Arts through to 2027. Our sponsorship highlights the power of invaluable advice when combined with the artistic passion that you see through many of the programmes on the channel.

In this partnership with Sky Arts, we aim to highlight how the value of one-to-one financial advice can have a positive impact, and that advice, much like the arts, is best served through a personal connection. At SJP we offer expert one-to-one financial advice to guide people throughout life’s journey helping to give them the confidence to create the future they want.

Learn more about St. James's Place

Our sponsorship films (idents), that can be seen across TV and digital, book-end each Sky Arts programme and ad break. They feature real creatives and the mentors that have guided them. When making the idents, we shared archival footage with the mentors for the first time on the projector screen, capturing their genuine reactions on camera. These moments beautifully reflect the warmth and connection of a trusted mentor - something valued by both SJP and Sky Arts - and we are proud to be able to celebrate and share these stories with you.

We would like to tell you more about our incredible cast, below:

Meet Adébayo Bolaji & Paul Alan Barker

Adébayo is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans painting, writing, poetry, filmmaking, and performance. A former lawyer turned actor, he found his fullest creative freedom in painting, since exhibiting internationally for over a decade. Guided by his mentor Paul, he sees art as a way to “author his own life” and inspires others to do the same.

Paul is a pianist, prize-winning composer, and dedicated teacher whose concert operas, music theatre, and digital works have been staged internationally. As a former Professor of Music Theatre at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, he has led opera and theatre companies, held creative residencies, and taught around the world. While at Central, Paul played a formative role in Adébayo’s artistic journey - offering guidance, advice, and the reminder that “you’re not in competition with anyone else but yourself.”

Meet Jay Sentrosi & Adi Alfa

Jay is a photographer, videographer and creative director specialising in portraits, fashion, and sport style. His love of film began young and grew through early work in acting and modelling, giving him insight both in front of and behind the camera. Jay’s path into photography was guided by Director and Producer Adi Alfa, whose encouragement and mentorship gave him freedom to explore his own ideas and inspired him to pick up a camera himself. Today, Jay works as a full-time freelance photographer, working for leading clients including Asics, New Ara and American Express. He continues to work closely with Adi to this day.

Adi is a filmmaker, award-winning actor, writer, director, VO artist and producer, with her recent work showing on Netflix and Amazon Prime. As the founder of her own production company, Adi creates branded films and creative concepts for leading brands such as Nike. As a mentor to Jay, Adi offered him the opportunity to work on her sets for music videos and commercials as a runner, through to an assistant director. Their collaborative relationship continues to this day, with Adi stating that it has been a joy to see Jay’s creative journey unfold, and that he “is proof you can do anything you set your mind to.”

Meet Stefanos Dimoulas & Kerry Nicholls

Stefanos is a professional ballet dancer who has performed in productions such as La Traviata at the Royal Opera House and recently became the youngest Greek judge on Dancing with the Stars. Alongside this, he founded Culture Select, a nonprofit supporting Greek and LGBTQI+ performers, whose first production, Titan Prometheus, sold out in 97 minutes. His work as a ‘Changemaker’ has since been recognised by Forbes 30 Under 30. Mentored by Kerry Nicholls, her advice played pivotal role during Stefanos’s final year studying ballet at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and throughout his transition from study to professional work. He credits her for reminding him that “authenticity and emotional connection matter more than flawlessness,” something that has stayed with him throughout his career to date.

Kerry is an internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer, mentor, and artistic leader. With over thirty years of experience, she has worked with leading companies including English National Ballet, Royal Ballet, Juilliard, Rambert, Scottish Ballet and San Francisco Ballet. Kerry taught Stefanos while he was at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has since played a key role as his mentor, with him noting that she “has been instrumental in shaping my growth not only as a dancer, but as a creative artist.”

Meet Sandra Gayer & Sir Richard Stilgoe

Sandra is a Zambian-born soprano, radio presenter, and voiceover artist. As a visually impaired opera singer, she has learned to work exclusively in Braille, including Braille music. Training at the Royal College of Music, she has since performed in theatre, opera, TV, and radio - including soloing in Orpheus the Mythical and Magna Carta, The Freedom Game at the Royal Albert Hall (an opera written by Sir Richard Stilgoe and Hannah Conway) - and internationally with members of The Pavarotti Foundation. Sandra credits her mentor, Sir Richard Stilgoe, for giving her the confidence and opportunities to allow her talent to grow.

Sir Richard is a celebrated British songwriter, lyricist, musician, and broadcaster. For over more than five decades, he has collaborated with the likes of Andrew Lloyd Webber, writing lyrics for Cats, Starlight Express, and The Phantom of the Opera, appeared on shows such as Nationwide, That’s Life!, and featured across various BBC radio programmes. Notably, Sir Richard is a philanthropist, founding the Alchemy Foundation and the Orpheus Centre, which is dedicated to supporting young artists with disabilities, and was knighted in 2012 for his charitable contributions.

Meet William and Bev Barsley

William is a talented woodcarver whose work ranges from private commissions to major restoration projects, including Westminster Hall’s medieval angels. Fascinated by historic crafts in his youth, he began carving in 2009 and, in 2013, left his United Nations job to travel through eleven countries learning from master carvers. He later trained in Historic Woodcarving at the City & Guilds of London Art School. William credits his mum, Bev - a talented potter and painter – for being a constant source of support throughout his creative journey, stating that her guidance and encouragement “changed the course of his life.”

Bev is a ceramicist and artist, and mother to William Barsley (woodcarver). As a talented potter and painter, she fostered creativity at home, encouraging her children to experiment and “embrace the messiness of creation.” Bev was a pivotal influence in her son William’s career as a woodcarver. Her honest feedback and unwavering support have shaped his artistic journey.

Meet Alicia Britt & Sarah Wright

Alicia is an award-winning puppeteer with a decade of experience across theatre, screen, and live events. A graduate of the Curious School of Puppetry and a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust scholar, she has trained in traditional marionette carving and credits her mentor, Sarah Wright, with giving her advice that shaped her approach to puppet making and performance - reminding her that imperfection can be part of what brings a puppet to life.

Sarah is a leading figure in British puppetry, trained at the Little Angel Theatre and now Artistic Director of the Curious School of Puppetry. Her work as a puppetry director and consultant spans major productions for companies including the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Young Vic, as well as international projects such as Spirited Away in London and Tokyo. Sarah has influenced generations of puppeteers, including Alicia, who she continues to mentor and advise throughout her creative journey.

Want to find out more about SJP?

One-to-one financial advice

You’ll get advice from one of our financial advisers and a plan tailored to your circumstances and attitudes, and what you aim to achieve. You’ll have the confidence of knowing you’re doing the right thing and are in control of your money and your future.

Financial advice

Navigating changes in your life

The right advice today can help you build strong foundations for the future, whatever financial position you’re in.

From getting your first mortgage to passing on your wealth, we’ll help you save, invest, and protect the people you care about.

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Trust, support and the value of financial advice in difficult times

Louise, a St. James’s Place client, tells us how her Partner helped to secure the foundations for her family’s future.

Read Louise's story

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.

One-to-one advice for your financial needs

We all need advice on life’s journey to have the confidence to take the next step.

This advice is delivered by our network of qualified financial advisers, also known as the Partnership, which is one of the largest groups of accredited and Chartered advisers in the country.

Find an adviser

Our Sky Arts sponsorship