Patrons and Trustees

Celeste Dandeker-Arnold

Photo by Alex Dandeker

Akram Khan MBE

London 2010

Dame Joan Plowright DBE

Wayne McGregor CBE

Maggie Semple OBE

Photo by Leanne Dixon

Andrew Holdsworth

Andrew brings the experience of being involved with Nonsuch History & Dance, an early dance group where he has had a number of roles including Chair and Treasurer. He also brings his professional knowledge of running IT projects and implementing financial systems.

Mercy Nabirye

Mercy Nabirye is a Director of Kauma Arts connecting communities globally, raising profiles and awareness of diverse arts. She is a fellow of the Windsor Leadership and RSA. Her portfolio includes Arts Council England, One Dance UK, Royal Borough of Greenwich, Apples and Snakes. Her artistic background is performing arts, film / photography and literature. She received an honorary Doctorate in Arts from University of East London in recognition of her achievements. www.kaumaarts.com

Avril Hitman

Avril is an award winning Inclusion and diversity expert recognised by the Queen with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her years of work in Inclusion and Diversity in a purpose and value driven organisation. Lifetime Achievement Winner, National Diversity Awards. She founded, led and grew a charity (Magpie Dance) for 32 years achieving a nationally recognised model of good practice in the dance and disability sector. Avril Hitman Consultancy: bespoke training / advisory / mentoring charity and cultural sectors.

Rebecca Stancliffe

Dr Rebecca Stancliffe is a Research Fellow at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance where her work focuses on arts and health and digital methods. Rebecca has worked as a visiting lecturer at Performers College, Bird College, Coventry University, London Studio Centre and the University of London. Rebecca completed her PhD at the Centre of Dance Research in 2019. She holds an MA in Dance with Distinction from London Contemporary Dance School (2010) and a BA (Hons) in Dance Theatre with First Class Honours from Trinity Laban (2008). Rebecca is writing a monograph that focuses on video annotation in dance which will be published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2024.

Karen Brodie

Karen is Deputy Director for the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, and works to grow the creative industries across design, fashion, film, publishing, music, performance, visual arts, and technology. Her expertise is leading strategic development, business analysis, leadership, stakeholder management, impact measurement, and business development, with specialism in international work and cultural diplomacy. Previously as a partner in a management consultancy firm, she worked with businesses, cultural organisations, government bodies, and higher education institutions to design solutions for organisational challenges. Prior to that, she developed strategic international and national programmes and partnerships in senior roles at University College London, the British Council, The Reading Agency and Penguin Random House. Karen has a certificate in Business and Climate Change and has been a visiting lecturer.

Nicky Ivory Chapman

Nicky is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD with over 20 years HR experience covering generalist and specialist HR roles. Nicky is currently the Head of Talent at Channel 4 and is a qualified EMCC accredited Coach. Currently she is a Board Trustee for the 'Learning & Work Institute’, and a member of the Advisory Committee for the Royal Television Society Academy. Nicky trained at the Urdang Academy in London.

Ian Abbott

Ian is an independent executive producer, writer and consultant who specialises in producing, strategic development and fundraising. Ian has produced indoor/outdoor/digital dance work in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and extensively across UK/Europe. Founder/Editor of the Hip Hop Dance Almanac and Ink Cypher, he curated a digital season for ZOO Venues (Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 2021) and writes regularly about Hip Hop dance, theatre and institutional power. He's a founder member of PAMPA & has held trustee and senior roles at 2Faced Dance Company, Neon Dance, Pavilion Dance South West, Casson & Friends, Citymoves, Sadhana Dance and the Association of Dance of the African Diaspora. Currently works with Extant - the UK's leading theatre company for blind and visually impaired performers.

Laura Jackson

Laura Jackson is an independent Wellbeing and Benefits Strategic Advisor, with over 25 years experience in HR within the Financial Services sector. She has extensive Board experience so understands the fiduciary responsibilities of the role and is keen to use her HR, Wellbeing and Strategic expertise to support LUTSF. Although not a dancer herself, her mother trained at the Royal Ballet School and had her own dance school so she’s been surrounded by dance for much of her life. Laura is now keen to see how a dancer’s aspirations can come to life through their travels.

Laura Careless

Laura is an American British physical theatre performer and educator. She is a graduate of the Royal Ballet School and holds a BFA from The Juilliard School Dance Division. She performed with companies in New York City for over a decade, including productions recognised by the Drama Desk Awards and venues such as the Metropolitan Opera, The Joyce Theater, and Columbia University. She has taught at Harvard University, Yale University, Broadway Dance Centre, Lincoln Center and the New York Public School for Dance, and coached performers at Canadian Opera Company, Donmar Warehouse/Manchester Festival, and Houston Grand Opera. She was the Dance Education Consultant for Rambert Classroom, Guest Curator for Professional Training at South East Dance, and is a Dance Curriculum Specialist for Juilliard K-12 Programs and Initiatives.