In loving memory of Prue Skene CBE

Prue was not just a Chair; she was a true leader and an exceptional human being. Her unwavering commitment to Cardboard Citizens during her time as Chair, to our Members, our work, and everyone involved with our organisation will never be forgotten. Personally, I will always be grateful for being able to look up to her for guidance and sound ethical council, for her thoughtfulness, generosity, wit and her incredible drive. Prue leaves behind a profound legacy—one that will continue to guide and inspire us for years to come. She will be dearly missed, but her elegant spirit and impact will live on.

Prue was a force of nature. She led with kindness and wisdom. Everyone at Cardboard Citizens had love and so much respect for her. We were so very sad when she came to the end of her term as our Chair, but were comforted by the fact we knew she would be there as a guiding light for us when we needed her. To now look to a future without her is devastating for everyone who knew her. Rest in power, Prue!

Prue was a giant amongst arts leaders and she will be sadly missed by all at Cardboard Citizens. She touched so many lives throughout her long career with her hallmark encouragement, wisdom and common sense. We mourn her loss but celebrate a life well lived, her humour and her wonderful company.

I worked with Prue very recently and for the last 2 years as a fellow Trustee Board Member at Cardboard Citizens. Prue stepped down as Chair of our Board recently after being in post for almost 10 years, and was already greatly missed. I remain in awe of the person she was and the strength of her spirit. Prue has inspired me greatly. She was small yet mighty. She had a bright yet mischievous smile and a presence that commanded respect without being overbearing in anyway. As a Chair of our Board she taught me so much. She held space for us all while still keeping things in check. Her ideas were full of kindness, vision and strength. She was pragmatic, realistic and suffered no fools. She really was a great role model for me and I felt very much in awe of her. I loved the time I spent with her and feel very fortunate to have known her. She showed me great trust and validation, I felt encouraged and supported by her and also felt safe and confident in her leadership.   I will not forget you Prue. Thank you for being such a great leader, colleague, and a wonderful friend. I feel very honoured to have known you. 

I was fortunate enough to have known Prue for nearly three years, and I will miss her enormously. She was a powerful force, a warm friend and an incredibly smart and wise influence. It is rare to meet someone who feels so genuine, so good and so welcoming. Through her board position she had an extremely positive impact on Citz, enabling the amazing work which we do, and this will continue to be felt for many years to come. Her passing is a huge loss to us, and to everyone who knew her.

I only met Prue a year ago, but instantly learnt she's an absolute legend. Such an inspiring chair of the Board, efficient and graceful, fiercely protective of both art and artists, and always with a cheeky glint in her eye. She was personally very supportive of me and my work, really quietly encouraging. I'm grateful to have met her.

Prue was an extraordinary human being and Chair. She led with grace, integrity, humility and an infectious sense of fun. I feel so fortunate to have worked with and learned from Prue, and will cherish my memories of her. Thank you, Prue, for the profound impact you have had on Cardboard Citizens, the arts sector and the world.

It was with a heavy heart that I learned Prue had passed away. We have lost someone who exuded such an aura of strength and diligence that far surpasses what one would expect to see in any position of high governance or leadership. Prue was truly a brilliant spark, who commanded effortlessly with a passion and kindness that were disarming. When I think about the time I shared with Prue as a Member Representative, the things that I feel imprinted on me is how poised she would be, always ready to take on anything and challenge it, till it becomes as refined as she was. I think anyone who has worked with Prue in any capacity would agree that she had a knack for bringing out the best in you. It was as if she could peel back the layers of your creativity, champion the ideas that took root, and create space for you to develop something truly definitive, that has been hidden beneath layers of doubt or concern. Whatever was a block would lift away under her guidance.

Prue was always so kind and warm to me. In her own way, she quietly communicated that she respected and trusted the work of our team and that she valued each person’s individual contributions, which was so gratefully received. It made us feel like we were doing well and seeded confidence in us to continue to grow and thrive in our roles at Citz. She will be greatly missed.

Great acts are made up of small deeds. Prue was the essence of that! By showing up every day and contributing her small, consistent actions, she drove the most meaningful changes she wished to see. Every day is an opportunity to break barriers, and the most effective way to do it, is just to do it .  On a day like today #AccelerateAction, I want to take Prue’s inspiration and be reminded to Show up Every Day!  Her sudden loss leaves a huge void for anyone left to witness it. Prue chose to leave this earth in the most low profile and graceful way possible - She was indeed that graceful low profile amazing gem of a person. It is said that a society grows well when men plant trees in whose shade they know they will never sit. Prue, you didn’t just plant trees, you planted a whole forest, which is standing and growing all around you.  We will prosper - and do our best to drive change - under the canopy you created long after you departed.

I was Prue's Vice Chair at Cardboard Citizens for several years.  It was an exceptionally co-operative and supportive relationship, and we became friends.  I loved her sense of humour and love of the ridiculous, and her incisiveness. During the period when we were doing almost everything by zoom and faces loomed large, I could always tell when I was being pompous or banging on too long about something by her expressive eyes and eyebrows.  But she was also kind.  I now chair an arts organisation with a similar mission, and I learned such a lot from her. The arts sector owes her a great deal and the world is a less amusing place without her.