Keynote Speaker
Click here to read bio.
Nandita Shankardass
Artist, Choreographer, Facilitator & Business Founder
Welcome Movement®
(She/her)
Nandita is a dance artist, choreographer, interdisciplinary facilitator, educator and speaker. She is the founder of Welcome Movement® created to generate wellbeing, stimulate creativity and empower freedom of expression through movement and dance experiences. Nandita works across educational, professional and community settings and creates for public spaces, from galleries to the outdoors. She is continually driven by care and compassion in her practice to encourage spaces which are inclusive, accessible and empowering. Nandita formed part of Dancers’ Career Development’s first Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group between 2022-2024.
Website: www.nanditashankardass.com
Instagram: @nandidevi
Facebook: NanditaDevikaDance
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nanditashankardass2076
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nanditashankardass/
Artist, Choreographer, Facilitator & Business Founder
Welcome Movement®
(She/her)
Nandita is a dance artist, choreographer, interdisciplinary facilitator, educator and speaker. She is the founder of Welcome Movement® created to generate wellbeing, stimulate creativity and empower freedom of expression through movement and dance experiences. Nandita works across educational, professional and community settings and creates for public spaces, from galleries to the outdoors. She is continually driven by care and compassion in her practice to encourage spaces which are inclusive, accessible and empowering. Nandita formed part of Dancers’ Career Development’s first Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group between 2022-2024.
Website: www.nanditashankardass.com
Instagram: @nandidevi
Facebook: NanditaDevikaDance
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nanditashankardass2076
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nanditashankardass/
Changemakers & Leadership
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Hilary Carty OBE
Executive Director,
Clore Leadership
Hilary is the Executive Director, Clore Leadership, a role she took up after six years as a consultant, facilitator and coach specialising in leadership development, management and organisational change. Prior to working independently, Hilary was the Director of the Cultural Leadership Programme, a £22m government investment in excellence in leadership within the UK cultural sector. Her earlier roles include Director, London (Arts), and Director of Dance at Arts Council England; Director, Culture and Education at London 2012; and HLF London Committee Member. In recognition of her career, Hilary has been awarded multiple honorary doctorates, an inaugural membership of the Circle of Cultural Fellows at King’s College London, and Research Fellow of its Business School. Hilary is a Governor of the Royal Ballet.
Website: www.cloreleadership.org
Instagram: @cloreleadership
Facebook: CloreLeadership
X: @cloreleadership
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCVilSUXbdm-s8SKnhCvZ7qw
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilaryscarty
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Vanessa Lefrançois
Executive Director
Dancers’ Career Development
(she/her)
Previously, Vanessa was a freelance consultant working in the arts and cultural sector, with experience in senior roles including Joint Director & CEO of Oxford Playhouse; Artistic Director & CEO of the Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre, Somerset; and Director of Recreational & Prevocational Dance at The Place. She spent the first 15 years of her career working internationally as a freelance choreographer and director for opera, theatre and dance companies. A Trustee of South East Dance, Vanessa also sits on the OxLEP Culture and Visitor Economy Sub-Group and Tourism Task Force. Vanessa has an Executive MBA from Bayes Business School and trained at London Contemporary Dance School and Alvin Ailey, New York.
Website: www.thedcd.org.uk
Instagram: @dcd_dancers
Facebook: DancersCareerDevelopment
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vanessa-lefrancois-9536a648/
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Laura Jones
Co-Artistic Director
Stopgap Dance Company
(She/her)
Laura joined Stopgap in 2001 where she has been integral to the growth and direction of the company. She is a fierce advocate for dance and disability, inclusion and equality, advancing the sector through teacher training in inclusive practice, public speaking and consultancy work. Her extensive teaching experience ranges across all ages and abilities, with a passion for empowering future generations of diverse dancers. She has been instrumental in the development of Stopgap’s IRIS Dance Syllabus for disabled dancers and the Seedbed teacher training programme. She has also contributed to the ISTD’s and RAD’s inclusive practice.
Website: www.stopgapdance.com
Instagram: @stopgapdance
Facebook: Stopgapdance
X: @stopgapdance
YouTube: youtube.com/stopgapdanceco
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laura-jones-a325ab8b/
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Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp CBE
Joint Assistant Director for Culture & Creativity, London Borough of Haringey & Freelance Arts Consultant
(He/him/his)
Kenneth is a key figure in the UK arts and culture scene with over 40 years professional experience in the sector. He began his career as a professional dancer; as one of the most renown dance artists of his generation, he performed for 13 years with the internationally acclaimed London Contemporary Dance Theatre, and then with other leading companies during a 25-year career as a performer, choreographer, teacher and director. He has since gone on to lead cultural institutions such as The Place (2007-2016) and The Africa Centre (2018-2020). He is currently working both as a Freelance Arts Consultant and as Joint Assistant Director of Culture & Creativity for the London Borough of Haringey.
Instagram: @kennetholumuyiwatharp
X: @KennethTharp
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kenneth-olumuyiwa-tharp-cbe-frsa-5a75b74/
Executive Director,
Clore Leadership
Hilary is the Executive Director, Clore Leadership, a role she took up after six years as a consultant, facilitator and coach specialising in leadership development, management and organisational change. Prior to working independently, Hilary was the Director of the Cultural Leadership Programme, a £22m government investment in excellence in leadership within the UK cultural sector. Her earlier roles include Director, London (Arts), and Director of Dance at Arts Council England; Director, Culture and Education at London 2012; and HLF London Committee Member. In recognition of her career, Hilary has been awarded multiple honorary doctorates, an inaugural membership of the Circle of Cultural Fellows at King’s College London, and Research Fellow of its Business School. Hilary is a Governor of the Royal Ballet.
Website: www.cloreleadership.org
Instagram: @cloreleadership
Facebook: CloreLeadership
X: @cloreleadership
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCVilSUXbdm-s8SKnhCvZ7qw
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hilaryscarty
Executive Director
Dancers’ Career Development
(she/her)
Previously, Vanessa was a freelance consultant working in the arts and cultural sector, with experience in senior roles including Joint Director & CEO of Oxford Playhouse; Artistic Director & CEO of the Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre, Somerset; and Director of Recreational & Prevocational Dance at The Place. She spent the first 15 years of her career working internationally as a freelance choreographer and director for opera, theatre and dance companies. A Trustee of South East Dance, Vanessa also sits on the OxLEP Culture and Visitor Economy Sub-Group and Tourism Task Force. Vanessa has an Executive MBA from Bayes Business School and trained at London Contemporary Dance School and Alvin Ailey, New York.
Website: www.thedcd.org.uk
Instagram: @dcd_dancers
Facebook: DancersCareerDevelopment
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vanessa-lefrancois-9536a648/
Co-Artistic Director
Stopgap Dance Company
(She/her)
Laura joined Stopgap in 2001 where she has been integral to the growth and direction of the company. She is a fierce advocate for dance and disability, inclusion and equality, advancing the sector through teacher training in inclusive practice, public speaking and consultancy work. Her extensive teaching experience ranges across all ages and abilities, with a passion for empowering future generations of diverse dancers. She has been instrumental in the development of Stopgap’s IRIS Dance Syllabus for disabled dancers and the Seedbed teacher training programme. She has also contributed to the ISTD’s and RAD’s inclusive practice.
Website: www.stopgapdance.com
Instagram: @stopgapdance
Facebook: Stopgapdance
X: @stopgapdance
YouTube: youtube.com/stopgapdanceco
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laura-jones-a325ab8b/
Joint Assistant Director for Culture & Creativity, London Borough of Haringey & Freelance Arts Consultant
(He/him/his)
Kenneth is a key figure in the UK arts and culture scene with over 40 years professional experience in the sector. He began his career as a professional dancer; as one of the most renown dance artists of his generation, he performed for 13 years with the internationally acclaimed London Contemporary Dance Theatre, and then with other leading companies during a 25-year career as a performer, choreographer, teacher and director. He has since gone on to lead cultural institutions such as The Place (2007-2016) and The Africa Centre (2018-2020). He is currently working both as a Freelance Arts Consultant and as Joint Assistant Director of Culture & Creativity for the London Borough of Haringey.
Instagram: @kennetholumuyiwatharp
X: @KennethTharp
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kenneth-olumuyiwa-tharp-cbe-frsa-5a75b74/
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Anthony Missen
Artistic Director
Company Chameleon
(He/him)
Anthony is Co-Artistic Director of Company Chameleon, a Clore Fellow, Without Walls Board Director, member of Greater Manchester Culture Steering Group, and Executive Member of Dance Consortia North-West. He has worked with companies including Scottish Dance Theatre, Mad Dogs Dance Theatre, Cie. Willi Dorner (Vienna), and choreographers including Rui Horta, Didi Veldman and Liv Lorent. Anthony has Movement Directed plays at HOME Manchester, The Royal Exchange and the National Theatre, and was Series Director for “Everything I Know About Love” and “Fool Me Once”. He is an accredited coach and has taught in over 14 countries worldwide.
Website: www.companychameleon.com/
Instagram: @companychameleon @anthony_missen
Facebook: companychameleon
X: @chameleon_info
YouTube: youtube.com/CompanyChameleonMcr
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anthony-missen-8a2b6b3b
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Niquelle LaTouche
CEO & Founder, Niquelle LaTouche Arts /
Head of Academy Breakin’ Convention
Niquelle LaTouche is an artist-educator invested in creating spaces of creative collaboration and togetherness. She is the founder of Niquelle LaTouche Arts (2014) and It Takes a Village Collective (2020) which are hubs for empathy building, challenging normative ideas and encouraging proactive social change. Niquelle is a trained Fine Artist, experienced Poet and Choreographer and an English specialist spanning supplementary, language schools and mainstream secondary education. She is an advocate for cross-disciplinary practice and champions the development of pedagogy, curriculum and more inclusive and equitable resources which can empower, raise attainment and shift cultures.
Website: https://niquellelatouchearts.com/
Instagram: @Niquelle_L @N_L_Arts
Facebook: Niquelle.Latouche.Arts
X: @Niquelle_L
YouTube: youtube.com/c/NiquelleLaTouche
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/niquellelatouche/
Artistic Director
Company Chameleon
(He/him)
Anthony is Co-Artistic Director of Company Chameleon, a Clore Fellow, Without Walls Board Director, member of Greater Manchester Culture Steering Group, and Executive Member of Dance Consortia North-West. He has worked with companies including Scottish Dance Theatre, Mad Dogs Dance Theatre, Cie. Willi Dorner (Vienna), and choreographers including Rui Horta, Didi Veldman and Liv Lorent. Anthony has Movement Directed plays at HOME Manchester, The Royal Exchange and the National Theatre, and was Series Director for “Everything I Know About Love” and “Fool Me Once”. He is an accredited coach and has taught in over 14 countries worldwide.
Website: www.companychameleon.com/
Instagram: @companychameleon @anthony_missen
Facebook: companychameleon
X: @chameleon_info
YouTube: youtube.com/CompanyChameleonMcr
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anthony-missen-8a2b6b3b
CEO & Founder, Niquelle LaTouche Arts /
Head of Academy Breakin’ Convention
Niquelle LaTouche is an artist-educator invested in creating spaces of creative collaboration and togetherness. She is the founder of Niquelle LaTouche Arts (2014) and It Takes a Village Collective (2020) which are hubs for empathy building, challenging normative ideas and encouraging proactive social change. Niquelle is a trained Fine Artist, experienced Poet and Choreographer and an English specialist spanning supplementary, language schools and mainstream secondary education. She is an advocate for cross-disciplinary practice and champions the development of pedagogy, curriculum and more inclusive and equitable resources which can empower, raise attainment and shift cultures.
Website: https://niquellelatouchearts.com/
Instagram: @Niquelle_L @N_L_Arts
Facebook: Niquelle.Latouche.Arts
X: @Niquelle_L
YouTube: youtube.com/c/NiquelleLaTouche
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/niquellelatouche/
Making the most of career breaks
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Isabel Mortimer
Director of Coaching
Dancers’ Career Development /
Freelance Coach & Facilitator
Isabel is a Personal and Executive coach CPCC, Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, and an Organisational Relationship and Systems Coach (both endorsed by the International Coaching Federation, ICF). Isabel specialises in Leadership development, cultural change, and enabling positive team dynamics. She has been the Director of Coaching at DCD since 2012, before which she became a Clore Fellow.
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Professor Angela Pickard
Professor of Dance Education & Director of Sidney de Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health
Canterbury Christchurch University
(She/her)
Angela is a dancer, teacher, artist and academic. She is the first Professor of Dance Education in the UK, and Director of the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health, at Canterbury Christ Church University. She works nationally and internationally with dancers, schools, communities, dance training institutions, organisations and companies, researching and developing dance practice. She is the Principal Investigator for the UK-wide AHRC funded Dance Educator’s Network: Critical Dance Pedagogy. Angela is Editor in Chief of the international journal Research in Dance Education. She also maintains Visiting Professorships in Switzerland and Malaysia.
Website: www.canterbury.ac.uk/people/angela-pickard
X: @DancePedagogy
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-pickard-a2745131
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Avatâra Ayuso
Artistic Director, Choreographer & Dancer
Ava Dance Company
Avatâra is a choreographer, cultural leader and activist in the dance world. She is also the founding director of the charity AWA DANCE (Advancing Women’s Aspirations with Dance). She graduated in Ballet and Linguistics in Spain before studying at London Contemporary Dance School. She was part of D.A.N.C.E. programme where she worked under the artistic direction of William Forsythe, Wayne McGregor, Frédéric Flamand and Angelin Preljocaj. Her artistic practice aims to overcome eurocentrism, by promoting cultural exchanges among artists. In her most recent projects, she has collaborated with artists from Burkina Faso, Senegal, Japan, China, Chile, Taiwan, Morocco and Nunavut (Canadian Arctic). In 2021, Avatâra undertook a Clore fellowship placement with the United Nations Foundation Global affiliate Girl UP. Her latest work ANGEL VR has received 10 international awards for best virtual reality dance work.
Website: www.avadancecompany.com
Instagram: @avadancecompany @avataraayuso
Facebook: AVATARAAYUSODanceCo
X: @AVADanceCompany
Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/avadancecompany
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/avatâra-ayuso-58ba77188
Click here to read bio.
Jon Beney
Co-Artistic Director
Tenfoot Dance Company
(He/him)
A Choreographer, Dancer and Movement Director, Jon has performed nationally and internationally with Luca Silvetrini’s Protein Dance and is original cast member of invisible dancing first created in 2010. Having graduated from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Jon spent four years working with young offenders and those at risk of offending with Dance United, and has taught in many educational settings from early years to university degree courses globally, such as at Aduna Dance in Ethiopia, and Lajee Centre Bethlehem in Palestine. He is mass Rehearsal Director for Akram Khan’s Kadamati and was the Rehearsal Director for the National Theatre’s public acts production of Pericles. Jon has credits as a Movement Director with Derby Theatre, Hiccup Theatre Company, Royal Exchange Manchester, York Theatre Royal and Pilot Theatre Company. Jon is also the Co-Artistic Director of Tenfoot Dance Company, and currently sits on DCD’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group.
Director of Coaching
Dancers’ Career Development /
Freelance Coach & Facilitator
Isabel is a Personal and Executive coach CPCC, Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, and an Organisational Relationship and Systems Coach (both endorsed by the International Coaching Federation, ICF). Isabel specialises in Leadership development, cultural change, and enabling positive team dynamics. She has been the Director of Coaching at DCD since 2012, before which she became a Clore Fellow.
Professor of Dance Education & Director of Sidney de Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health
Canterbury Christchurch University
(She/her)
Angela is a dancer, teacher, artist and academic. She is the first Professor of Dance Education in the UK, and Director of the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health, at Canterbury Christ Church University. She works nationally and internationally with dancers, schools, communities, dance training institutions, organisations and companies, researching and developing dance practice. She is the Principal Investigator for the UK-wide AHRC funded Dance Educator’s Network: Critical Dance Pedagogy. Angela is Editor in Chief of the international journal Research in Dance Education. She also maintains Visiting Professorships in Switzerland and Malaysia.
Website: www.canterbury.ac.uk/people/angela-pickard
X: @DancePedagogy
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-pickard-a2745131
Artistic Director, Choreographer & Dancer
Ava Dance Company
Avatâra is a choreographer, cultural leader and activist in the dance world. She is also the founding director of the charity AWA DANCE (Advancing Women’s Aspirations with Dance). She graduated in Ballet and Linguistics in Spain before studying at London Contemporary Dance School. She was part of D.A.N.C.E. programme where she worked under the artistic direction of William Forsythe, Wayne McGregor, Frédéric Flamand and Angelin Preljocaj. Her artistic practice aims to overcome eurocentrism, by promoting cultural exchanges among artists. In her most recent projects, she has collaborated with artists from Burkina Faso, Senegal, Japan, China, Chile, Taiwan, Morocco and Nunavut (Canadian Arctic). In 2021, Avatâra undertook a Clore fellowship placement with the United Nations Foundation Global affiliate Girl UP. Her latest work ANGEL VR has received 10 international awards for best virtual reality dance work.
Website: www.avadancecompany.com
Instagram: @avadancecompany @avataraayuso
Facebook: AVATARAAYUSODanceCo
X: @AVADanceCompany
Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/avadancecompany
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/avatâra-ayuso-58ba77188
Co-Artistic Director
Tenfoot Dance Company
(He/him)
A Choreographer, Dancer and Movement Director, Jon has performed nationally and internationally with Luca Silvetrini’s Protein Dance and is original cast member of invisible dancing first created in 2010. Having graduated from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Jon spent four years working with young offenders and those at risk of offending with Dance United, and has taught in many educational settings from early years to university degree courses globally, such as at Aduna Dance in Ethiopia, and Lajee Centre Bethlehem in Palestine. He is mass Rehearsal Director for Akram Khan’s Kadamati and was the Rehearsal Director for the National Theatre’s public acts production of Pericles. Jon has credits as a Movement Director with Derby Theatre, Hiccup Theatre Company, Royal Exchange Manchester, York Theatre Royal and Pilot Theatre Company. Jon is also the Co-Artistic Director of Tenfoot Dance Company, and currently sits on DCD’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group.
Taking charge of your career
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Jamie Body
Freelance Journalist, presenter & performer
(he/him)
Jamie is a presenter and entertainment journalist who hails from a performance background, dancing in projects for TV, film, and theatre. As a highly sought-after presenter and entertainment journalist, he has interviewed celebrities on the red carpet at the BAFTA TV Awards and Olivier Awards, and attended TV and film premieres for Prime Video and Marvel. As a dancer, his career has allowed him to tick off many bucket list moments and travel the world, such as dancing in seasons 1-3 of Bridgerton and in films such as Horrible Histories: Rotten Romans and Avengers Age of Ultron.
Website: www.jamiebody.com
Instagram: @bodyjamie
Facebook: bodyjamie
X: @bodyjamie
Click here to read bio.
Leigh Thomas
Global Marketing & Technology Executive
(She/her)
Leigh is a strategic marketing and technology leader with experience growing businesses from startups to global enterprises across FMCG, retail, financial services, tech and autos. Up until recently she led enterprise partnerships for Meta, overseeing multi-billion-dollar revenues in 30+ markets. Leigh supports companies in enhancing their digital capabilities and serves on boards advocating for economic empowerment (Pennies) and inclusion (WACL – Women in Advertising and Communications Leadership). She is a Campaign A-lister, a BIMA top 100 achiever, and holds a distinction in Finance for Executives from Oxford University’s Said Business School.
Website: www.leighthomas.co.uk/
Instagram: @leighvictoriathomas
Facebook: leighvictoriathomas
X: @Leigh0209
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/leighthomas1
Click here to read bio.
Judy Leering
Financial Consultant
(She/her/hers)
Judy is a chartered accountant with 25 years’ experience working in the voluntary and charitable sector, currently serving as a Trustee of DCD. She recently worked with Home Start Cymru as a consultant and previous roles include Director of Corporate Services at Cwmpas and Finance Director at Chwarae Teg. A Trustee on the board of WCVA for many years, she also served on a number of Third Sector financial committees in Welsh Government and the Welsh European Funding Office. Judy started her career as a dancer, training at the Royal Ballet School and dancing professionally with the Berlin Ballet, Ballet de Monte Carlo, Northern Ballet and Ballet Arizona.
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Neil Skidmore
Director
JSO Productions
Neil is the Director of event production company, JSO (formerly Jonathan Seaward Organisation), taking over the company after retiring from dance at the age of 29. He has since expanded the agency, now running major events including award shows, conferences and exhibitions, as well as weddings and large domestic parties. Neil started dancing at the age of 4, later being accepted into White Lodge, the Upper School, and finally the Royal Ballet Company. He performed numerous roles, however among his career highlights was being selected by Jerome Robbins to dance in his ballets within The Royal Ballet repertoire.
Website: www.jso.co.uk
Instagram: @jso_productions
Facebook: JSOProductions
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/neil-skidmore-b4b06335/
Freelance Journalist, presenter & performer
(he/him)
Jamie is a presenter and entertainment journalist who hails from a performance background, dancing in projects for TV, film, and theatre. As a highly sought-after presenter and entertainment journalist, he has interviewed celebrities on the red carpet at the BAFTA TV Awards and Olivier Awards, and attended TV and film premieres for Prime Video and Marvel. As a dancer, his career has allowed him to tick off many bucket list moments and travel the world, such as dancing in seasons 1-3 of Bridgerton and in films such as Horrible Histories: Rotten Romans and Avengers Age of Ultron.
Website: www.jamiebody.com
Instagram: @bodyjamie
Facebook: bodyjamie
X: @bodyjamie
Global Marketing & Technology Executive
(She/her)
Leigh is a strategic marketing and technology leader with experience growing businesses from startups to global enterprises across FMCG, retail, financial services, tech and autos. Up until recently she led enterprise partnerships for Meta, overseeing multi-billion-dollar revenues in 30+ markets. Leigh supports companies in enhancing their digital capabilities and serves on boards advocating for economic empowerment (Pennies) and inclusion (WACL – Women in Advertising and Communications Leadership). She is a Campaign A-lister, a BIMA top 100 achiever, and holds a distinction in Finance for Executives from Oxford University’s Said Business School.
Website: www.leighthomas.co.uk/
Instagram: @leighvictoriathomas
Facebook: leighvictoriathomas
X: @Leigh0209
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/leighthomas1
Financial Consultant
(She/her/hers)
Judy is a chartered accountant with 25 years’ experience working in the voluntary and charitable sector, currently serving as a Trustee of DCD. She recently worked with Home Start Cymru as a consultant and previous roles include Director of Corporate Services at Cwmpas and Finance Director at Chwarae Teg. A Trustee on the board of WCVA for many years, she also served on a number of Third Sector financial committees in Welsh Government and the Welsh European Funding Office. Judy started her career as a dancer, training at the Royal Ballet School and dancing professionally with the Berlin Ballet, Ballet de Monte Carlo, Northern Ballet and Ballet Arizona.
Director
JSO Productions
Neil is the Director of event production company, JSO (formerly Jonathan Seaward Organisation), taking over the company after retiring from dance at the age of 29. He has since expanded the agency, now running major events including award shows, conferences and exhibitions, as well as weddings and large domestic parties. Neil started dancing at the age of 4, later being accepted into White Lodge, the Upper School, and finally the Royal Ballet Company. He performed numerous roles, however among his career highlights was being selected by Jerome Robbins to dance in his ballets within The Royal Ballet repertoire.
Website: www.jso.co.uk
Instagram: @jso_productions
Facebook: JSOProductions
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/neil-skidmore-b4b06335/
Click here to read bio.
Joel Gläfke
Professional Dancer, Sport & Performance Psychology Lecturer and Consultant
(He/him)
As founder of the Sui Generis Crew and member of the InDaHouse Collective, Joel pursues the idea of individualism being the vital element of an artist and seeks to transmit the value of uniqueness to those he comes in touch with. Aiming to further improve the necessary mind and body connection, in order to reach a level of expertise within dance, Joel draws his understanding from the intersection between the physical, technical, conceptual and psychological area’s underlying movement. Joel is also a mentor, lecturer, and consultant in the field of performance psychology and in various dance institutions. He has shared his knowledge as a guest lecturer at UEL, a course leader at Åsa Folkhögskola, and a lecturer at Shockout Manchester. Joel took part in SHIFT, DCD’s career exploration programme for Hip Hop Artists, delivered in partnership with ZooNation.
Instagram: @jo.l.sui_generiscrew
Click here to read bio.
Brandon ODell
General Director
Omscholing Dansers Nederland (ODN)
(He/him)
Brandon O’Dell has been general director at Loopbaanontwikkelingsfonds (LOF) Podiumkunsten, a fusion of the Omscholing Dansers Nederland and the Sociaal Fonds Podiumkunsten, since March 2024. He has personal experience with career transition. Brandon started a new career path after nearly 15 years of dancing professionally in both the USA and the Netherlands. He studied Business at the University of Cambridge, graduating with an MBA in 2012. He then began working in the global health sector, becoming Director of the Amsterdam Dinner Foundation in 2019. After ten years of working outside the performing arts, it has been a home-coming to work in this sector again.
Website: www.omscholingdansers.nl/en/
Instagram: @omscholingdansers
Facebook: OmscholingDansers
YouTube: youtube.com/@OmscholingDansersNederland
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/omscholing-dansers-nederland
Professional Dancer, Sport & Performance Psychology Lecturer and Consultant
(He/him)
As founder of the Sui Generis Crew and member of the InDaHouse Collective, Joel pursues the idea of individualism being the vital element of an artist and seeks to transmit the value of uniqueness to those he comes in touch with. Aiming to further improve the necessary mind and body connection, in order to reach a level of expertise within dance, Joel draws his understanding from the intersection between the physical, technical, conceptual and psychological area’s underlying movement. Joel is also a mentor, lecturer, and consultant in the field of performance psychology and in various dance institutions. He has shared his knowledge as a guest lecturer at UEL, a course leader at Åsa Folkhögskola, and a lecturer at Shockout Manchester. Joel took part in SHIFT, DCD’s career exploration programme for Hip Hop Artists, delivered in partnership with ZooNation.
Instagram: @jo.l.sui_generiscrew
General Director
Omscholing Dansers Nederland (ODN)
(He/him)
Brandon O’Dell has been general director at Loopbaanontwikkelingsfonds (LOF) Podiumkunsten, a fusion of the Omscholing Dansers Nederland and the Sociaal Fonds Podiumkunsten, since March 2024. He has personal experience with career transition. Brandon started a new career path after nearly 15 years of dancing professionally in both the USA and the Netherlands. He studied Business at the University of Cambridge, graduating with an MBA in 2012. He then began working in the global health sector, becoming Director of the Amsterdam Dinner Foundation in 2019. After ten years of working outside the performing arts, it has been a home-coming to work in this sector again.
Website: www.omscholingdansers.nl/en/
Instagram: @omscholingdansers
Facebook: OmscholingDansers
YouTube: youtube.com/@OmscholingDansersNederland
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/omscholing-dansers-nederland
Future proofing your career
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Hannah Osborne
Support and Programmes Manager: Independent Dancers Lead
Dancers’ Career Development
(She/her)
Hannah graduated from London Contemporary Dance School, with a degree in Dance Performance, in 1998. Her career within the dance industry has taken her on a journey through performing, teaching, project managing, producing, and as a commissioned writer: creating educational resource packs and other materials. She continues to work as a Producer & Project Manager and for the past six years has been working with Eleesha Drennan Dance. She has also worked with Deaf Men Dancing, Hofesh Shechter, Mark Murphy and Lost Dog among others. In her spare time, Hannah volunteers with Brighton-based cat welfare charity, ‘Lost Cats Brighton’, with whom she is also a member of the Board of Trustees.
Website: thedcd.org.uk
Instagram: @dcd_dancers
Facebook: DancersCareerDevelopment
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Emma Crighton
Employer Programmes Manager
Skills Builder Partnership
(She/her)
As Employer Programmes Manager at Skills Builder, Emma supports a wide range of businesses and individuals to develop the essential skills, such as teamwork, problem solving and creativity, needed to succeed in the workplace. Before joining Skills Builder in 2020, Emma was a secondary school maths teacher. She is passionate about supporting others to achieve their potential and carve actionable pathways to achieve their aspirations. She holds a Masters degree in Transformational Leadership in Education from Canterbury Christchurch University.
Website: www.skillsbuilder.org/
X: @skills_builder
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/enabling-enterprise
Click here to read bio.
Liz Dimmock
CEO & Founder
Moving Ahead
(She/her)
Liz is the Founder and CEO of Moving Ahead, a specialist organisation dedicated to advancing workplace diversity, equity and inclusion through structured mentoring and development programmes. Liz has nearly 25 years’ experience in consultancy and leadership development spanning commercial, coaching and leadership roles at IMG, KPMG, HSBC and GP Strategies. Over the past 20 years, Liz has led the design and delivery of more than 600 organisational mentoring programmes ranging from bespoke initiatives to the world’s largest cross-company mentoring programme run in partnership with the 30% Club. She is a 30% Club Global Steering Committee Member and worked with McKinsey and Alison Rose on research into female entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Website: www.moving-ahead.org/
Instagram: @_movingahead
Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/movingahead
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lizdimmock/
Click here to read bio.
Steve White-Cooper
CEO & Founder
add-victor
(He/him/his)
Steve is a former rugby union international, having represented Harlequins and England. Now Founder and CEO of add-victor, Steve is on a mission to support athletes from all backgrounds in recognising their immensely unique skillsets, whilst boosting their employability and providing access to exciting job opportunities. From Olympic rowers turned Consultants, to Professional cricketers turned Finance Associates, and Dancers turned Relationship Managers, Steve has experience in guiding a diverse range of individuals in their career transitions.
Website: www.add-victor.com
Instagram: @add_victor
Facebook: addvictor
X: @add_victor
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/steve-white-cooper-34664a13
Support and Programmes Manager: Independent Dancers Lead
Dancers’ Career Development
(She/her)
Hannah graduated from London Contemporary Dance School, with a degree in Dance Performance, in 1998. Her career within the dance industry has taken her on a journey through performing, teaching, project managing, producing, and as a commissioned writer: creating educational resource packs and other materials. She continues to work as a Producer & Project Manager and for the past six years has been working with Eleesha Drennan Dance. She has also worked with Deaf Men Dancing, Hofesh Shechter, Mark Murphy and Lost Dog among others. In her spare time, Hannah volunteers with Brighton-based cat welfare charity, ‘Lost Cats Brighton’, with whom she is also a member of the Board of Trustees.
Website: thedcd.org.uk
Instagram: @dcd_dancers
Facebook: DancersCareerDevelopment
Employer Programmes Manager
Skills Builder Partnership
(She/her)
As Employer Programmes Manager at Skills Builder, Emma supports a wide range of businesses and individuals to develop the essential skills, such as teamwork, problem solving and creativity, needed to succeed in the workplace. Before joining Skills Builder in 2020, Emma was a secondary school maths teacher. She is passionate about supporting others to achieve their potential and carve actionable pathways to achieve their aspirations. She holds a Masters degree in Transformational Leadership in Education from Canterbury Christchurch University.
Website: www.skillsbuilder.org/
X: @skills_builder
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/enabling-enterprise
CEO & Founder
Moving Ahead
(She/her)
Liz is the Founder and CEO of Moving Ahead, a specialist organisation dedicated to advancing workplace diversity, equity and inclusion through structured mentoring and development programmes. Liz has nearly 25 years’ experience in consultancy and leadership development spanning commercial, coaching and leadership roles at IMG, KPMG, HSBC and GP Strategies. Over the past 20 years, Liz has led the design and delivery of more than 600 organisational mentoring programmes ranging from bespoke initiatives to the world’s largest cross-company mentoring programme run in partnership with the 30% Club. She is a 30% Club Global Steering Committee Member and worked with McKinsey and Alison Rose on research into female entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Website: www.moving-ahead.org/
Instagram: @_movingahead
Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/movingahead
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lizdimmock/
CEO & Founder
add-victor
(He/him/his)
Steve is a former rugby union international, having represented Harlequins and England. Now Founder and CEO of add-victor, Steve is on a mission to support athletes from all backgrounds in recognising their immensely unique skillsets, whilst boosting their employability and providing access to exciting job opportunities. From Olympic rowers turned Consultants, to Professional cricketers turned Finance Associates, and Dancers turned Relationship Managers, Steve has experience in guiding a diverse range of individuals in their career transitions.
Website: www.add-victor.com
Instagram: @add_victor
Facebook: addvictor
X: @add_victor
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/steve-white-cooper-34664a13
Creative offerings
Click here to read bio.
Kavya Iyer Ramalingam
Kavya will present “An Autumn of Bharatanatyam”, a dance piece set to Spanish music, exploring how two distinct art forms harmonise through rhythm, movement, and lyrical expression to convey themes of transition and renewal found in nature. An ode to autumn, the choreography reflects the quiet transformation of the season, symbolising change and letting go.
Originally from Kolkata and now based in London, Kavya has been practising Bharatanatyam for 25 years, training under her mother and Guru, Sujatha Ramalingam. Her artistic journey, while still grounded in the tradition of Bharatanatyam, has evolved to reflect contemporary global, social, and personal experiences, to create work that resonates with wider audiences.
Choreography: Sujatha Ramalingam
Music Composed by: Kalashree DS Srivathsa
Instagram: @kavya.ir
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kavya-ir/
Click here to read bio.
Francesca Miles
Francesca will be presenting house dance solo: “It Is What It Is“, a performance exploring the process of growth inspired by the phrase “the one degree that melts the ice”.
Choreography: Francesca Miles
Music credit: Fred P – It Is What It Is
Francesca will also perform a DJ set during the drinks reception at the end of the day.
Instagram: @francesca_miles
Click here to read bio.
Akeim Toussaint Buck
Choreographer & Storyteller
(He/him)
“Reckoning” is a multimedia short film created by a collaboration of Liberty EU Portfolio artists, Akeim Toussaint Buck, Ashley Karrell (filmmaker), Benedetta Fasson (animator) and Mandla Rae (writer). Weaving together contemporary lyrical dance, archive, animation and storytelling, Reckoning has been created from the Reckoning with Refugeedom archives which tell the stories of generations of displaced people in their own words. Reckoning was delivered in partnership with the University of Manchester and co-funded by Arts and Humanities Research Council, and Creative Europe as part of Liberty EU.
Akeim will also deliver a creative response to the day in the form of our Plenary session.
Website: www.toussainttomove.com/
Instagram: @toussainttomove
Facebook: ToussaintToMove
X: @toussainttomove
YouTube: youtube.com/buckboy2301
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/akeim-toussaint-buck-6a147798
Click here to read bio.
Angel VR
ANGEL VR, an award-winning virtual reality experience, transports participants into the mesmerising realm of a sophisticated warrior. This immersive encounter, that uses Quest 3 VR headsets, unfolds between “Angel” and each single audience member. The interaction element is personalised, responding to the unique choices made by each individual. This distinctive aspect ensures a one-of-a-kind journey tailored to each participant, making ANGEL VR an unexpectedly emotional, startling and unforgettable experience, immersed in an unparalleled blend of technology and artistry. Performed, choreographed and directed by Avatâra Ayuso, ANGEL VR was produced by AVA DANCE COMPANY in collaboration with Rose Bruford College and independent VR developers, thanks to the generous support of Arts Council England.
Director, Choreographer & Dancer: Avatâra Ayuso
VR & Motion Capture Artist: Miyu Matsumoto
Technical Manager & VR Developer: Enrique Muñoz
Kavya will present “An Autumn of Bharatanatyam”, a dance piece set to Spanish music, exploring how two distinct art forms harmonise through rhythm, movement, and lyrical expression to convey themes of transition and renewal found in nature. An ode to autumn, the choreography reflects the quiet transformation of the season, symbolising change and letting go.
Originally from Kolkata and now based in London, Kavya has been practising Bharatanatyam for 25 years, training under her mother and Guru, Sujatha Ramalingam. Her artistic journey, while still grounded in the tradition of Bharatanatyam, has evolved to reflect contemporary global, social, and personal experiences, to create work that resonates with wider audiences.
Choreography: Sujatha Ramalingam
Music Composed by: Kalashree DS Srivathsa
Instagram: @kavya.ir
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kavya-ir/
Francesca will be presenting house dance solo: “It Is What It Is“, a performance exploring the process of growth inspired by the phrase “the one degree that melts the ice”.
Choreography: Francesca Miles
Music credit: Fred P – It Is What It Is
Francesca will also perform a DJ set during the drinks reception at the end of the day.
Instagram: @francesca_miles
Choreographer & Storyteller
(He/him)
“Reckoning” is a multimedia short film created by a collaboration of Liberty EU Portfolio artists, Akeim Toussaint Buck, Ashley Karrell (filmmaker), Benedetta Fasson (animator) and Mandla Rae (writer). Weaving together contemporary lyrical dance, archive, animation and storytelling, Reckoning has been created from the Reckoning with Refugeedom archives which tell the stories of generations of displaced people in their own words. Reckoning was delivered in partnership with the University of Manchester and co-funded by Arts and Humanities Research Council, and Creative Europe as part of Liberty EU.
Akeim will also deliver a creative response to the day in the form of our Plenary session.
Website: www.toussainttomove.com/
Instagram: @toussainttomove
Facebook: ToussaintToMove
X: @toussainttomove
YouTube: youtube.com/buckboy2301
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/akeim-toussaint-buck-6a147798
ANGEL VR, an award-winning virtual reality experience, transports participants into the mesmerising realm of a sophisticated warrior. This immersive encounter, that uses Quest 3 VR headsets, unfolds between “Angel” and each single audience member. The interaction element is personalised, responding to the unique choices made by each individual. This distinctive aspect ensures a one-of-a-kind journey tailored to each participant, making ANGEL VR an unexpectedly emotional, startling and unforgettable experience, immersed in an unparalleled blend of technology and artistry. Performed, choreographed and directed by Avatâra Ayuso, ANGEL VR was produced by AVA DANCE COMPANY in collaboration with Rose Bruford College and independent VR developers, thanks to the generous support of Arts Council England.
Director, Choreographer & Dancer: Avatâra Ayuso
VR & Motion Capture Artist: Miyu Matsumoto
Technical Manager & VR Developer: Enrique Muñoz
Marketplace
Click here to read bio.
Dancers Career Development
Dancers’ Career Development is the charity that’s here for all dancers when they need us most – from every dance genre, every background, across the UK and at every career stage. We support dancers through personal and professional change, breaking down barriers to career progression and sustainability through retraining grants, developmental workshops, coaching, mentoring and psychological wellbeing & resilience training. We have a 50-year track record of delivering impact to company and freelance dancers because we believe in the their potential and are ambitious for their futures.
Website: thedcd.org.uk
Instagram: @dcd_dancers
Facebook: DancersCareerDevelopment
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dancers-career-development
Click here to read bio.
One Dance UK
One Dance UK is the national support organisation for dance, working across the entirety of the sector with everybody connected to dance – be that policy-makers, performers, students, teachers, healthcare professionals, producers or anyone else who loves to move. As a support organisation, One Dance UK stands with you in a variety of ways, working for a dance world that is diverse, accessible, healthy, equitable and fair.
Website: www.onedanceuk.org/
Instagram: @onedanceuk
Facebook: onedanceuk
X: @onedanceuk
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/OneDanceUKofficial
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/one-dance-uk
Click here to read bio.
add-victor
add-victor is a specialist recruitment platform that matches high performing talent with employers across industries. We passionately believe that the core foundation skills developed from sport, the military & the performing arts are highly transferable to the workplace. The proof of this model is shown through our placement analytics highlighting excellent performance & retention levels far outperforming industry standards.
Website: www.add-victor.com
Instagram: @add_victor
Facebook: addvictor
X: add_victor
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/add-victor
Click here to read bio.
People Dancing
People Dancing, is the development organisation and membership body for community and participatory dance. Our work spans membership, professional development & training, professional qualifications, networks, publishing, research and advocacy. Formed in 1986, we support a network of 2,500 individual and organisational members and 7,000+ subscribers across the UK and internationally. We strive for excellence, inclusion, collaboration and openness, placing people at the centre of what we do and art at the front. To this, we bring expertise in inclusive practices and critical debate to drive forward quality in practice and provision and offer: Knowledge sharing through our communications; insurance for dancers; programmes focused on Early Years, disabled people, global majority heritage artists, health and well-being; and training courses and qualifications.
Website: www.communitydance.org.uk/
Instagram: @people_dancing_uk
Facebook: communitydance
X: @PeopleDancingUK
YouTube: youtube.com/PeopleDancing
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/foundation-for-community-dance
Dancers’ Career Development is the charity that’s here for all dancers when they need us most – from every dance genre, every background, across the UK and at every career stage. We support dancers through personal and professional change, breaking down barriers to career progression and sustainability through retraining grants, developmental workshops, coaching, mentoring and psychological wellbeing & resilience training. We have a 50-year track record of delivering impact to company and freelance dancers because we believe in the their potential and are ambitious for their futures.
Website: thedcd.org.uk
Instagram: @dcd_dancers
Facebook: DancersCareerDevelopment
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dancers-career-development
One Dance UK is the national support organisation for dance, working across the entirety of the sector with everybody connected to dance – be that policy-makers, performers, students, teachers, healthcare professionals, producers or anyone else who loves to move. As a support organisation, One Dance UK stands with you in a variety of ways, working for a dance world that is diverse, accessible, healthy, equitable and fair.
Website: www.onedanceuk.org/
Instagram: @onedanceuk
Facebook: onedanceuk
X: @onedanceuk
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/OneDanceUKofficial
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/one-dance-uk
add-victor is a specialist recruitment platform that matches high performing talent with employers across industries. We passionately believe that the core foundation skills developed from sport, the military & the performing arts are highly transferable to the workplace. The proof of this model is shown through our placement analytics highlighting excellent performance & retention levels far outperforming industry standards.
Website: www.add-victor.com
Instagram: @add_victor
Facebook: addvictor
X: add_victor
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/add-victor
People Dancing, is the development organisation and membership body for community and participatory dance. Our work spans membership, professional development & training, professional qualifications, networks, publishing, research and advocacy. Formed in 1986, we support a network of 2,500 individual and organisational members and 7,000+ subscribers across the UK and internationally. We strive for excellence, inclusion, collaboration and openness, placing people at the centre of what we do and art at the front. To this, we bring expertise in inclusive practices and critical debate to drive forward quality in practice and provision and offer: Knowledge sharing through our communications; insurance for dancers; programmes focused on Early Years, disabled people, global majority heritage artists, health and well-being; and training courses and qualifications.
Website: www.communitydance.org.uk/
Instagram: @people_dancing_uk
Facebook: communitydance
X: @PeopleDancingUK
YouTube: youtube.com/PeopleDancing
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/foundation-for-community-dance
Click here to read bio.
Moving Ahead
Our mission is to create inclusive workplaces where individuals and organisations can be the best they can be. We create change through structured development programmes, from leadership development to mentoring and inclusive leadership training. Through our Speaker Academy and digital content we share stories and conversations that matter. From talking about race, sexuality and ability, to power, privilege and bias, we inspire and enable courageous conversations that cultivate inclusion and drive performance. We are proud to have been working with DCD since 2019 through the Beyond Dance Mentoring programme.
Website: www.moving-ahead.org/
Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/movingahead
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/moving-ahead
Click here to read bio.
Clore Leadership
Clore Leadership is a dynamic and inclusive resource for leaders and aspiring leaders in the arts, culture, and creative sectors. We aim to inspire and equip leaders to have a positive impact on society through great leadership of culture. We offer a range of residential and online leadership learning programmes for leaders working in all roles across the sector, from residential training courses, webinars and one day conferences, to our intensive 9 month-long Clore Fellowship.
Website: www.cloreleadership.org/
Instagram: @cloreleadership
Facebook: CloreLeadership
X: @cloreleadership
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCVilSUXbdm-s8SKnhCvZ7qw
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/clore-leadership-programme
Click here to read bio.
Parents and Carers in Performing Arts
Parents and Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA) empowers arts organisations to implement family-friendly working practices, based on empirical evidence. Working in partnership with others we raise awareness, find creative solutions and promote best practice in the UK Performing Arts. Founded in 2015, we have since expanded beyond our roots in theatre, to work with dance, opera and music organisations across the whole of the UK. We’re an Arts Council England Investment Principles Support Organisation, which means funding thanks to National Lottery players plays a huge part in supporting our work.
Website: https://pipacampaign.org/
Instagram: @pipacampaign
Facebook: PiPACampaign
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/pipacampaign/
Click here to read bio.
Equity
Equity is the UK trade union for professional performers and creative practitioners. Over 50,000 Equity members form a cultural community that is of major importance to the UK in artistic, social and economic terms and Equity works to support them by negotiating their terms and conditions including fee structures with all kinds of employers and employer’s groups. We are a campaigning and organising union and proud of our strong record of taking issues to parliament and other centres of influence. Set up in 1930, Equity has had many landmark moments: We have brought about fair payments and fees for artists; health and safety regulation; an outstanding royalties and residuals structure; members’ pension and insurance schemes; supported individuals and groups of members; taken a stand on their behalf and made a difference in countless ways.
Website: www.equity.org.uk/
Instagram: @equityuk
Facebook: EquityUK
X: @EquityUK
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/equity-uk/
Our mission is to create inclusive workplaces where individuals and organisations can be the best they can be. We create change through structured development programmes, from leadership development to mentoring and inclusive leadership training. Through our Speaker Academy and digital content we share stories and conversations that matter. From talking about race, sexuality and ability, to power, privilege and bias, we inspire and enable courageous conversations that cultivate inclusion and drive performance. We are proud to have been working with DCD since 2019 through the Beyond Dance Mentoring programme.
Website: www.moving-ahead.org/
Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/movingahead
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/moving-ahead
Clore Leadership is a dynamic and inclusive resource for leaders and aspiring leaders in the arts, culture, and creative sectors. We aim to inspire and equip leaders to have a positive impact on society through great leadership of culture. We offer a range of residential and online leadership learning programmes for leaders working in all roles across the sector, from residential training courses, webinars and one day conferences, to our intensive 9 month-long Clore Fellowship.
Website: www.cloreleadership.org/
Instagram: @cloreleadership
Facebook: CloreLeadership
X: @cloreleadership
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCVilSUXbdm-s8SKnhCvZ7qw
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/clore-leadership-programme
Parents and Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA) empowers arts organisations to implement family-friendly working practices, based on empirical evidence. Working in partnership with others we raise awareness, find creative solutions and promote best practice in the UK Performing Arts. Founded in 2015, we have since expanded beyond our roots in theatre, to work with dance, opera and music organisations across the whole of the UK. We’re an Arts Council England Investment Principles Support Organisation, which means funding thanks to National Lottery players plays a huge part in supporting our work.
Website: https://pipacampaign.org/
Instagram: @pipacampaign
Facebook: PiPACampaign
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/pipacampaign/
Equity is the UK trade union for professional performers and creative practitioners. Over 50,000 Equity members form a cultural community that is of major importance to the UK in artistic, social and economic terms and Equity works to support them by negotiating their terms and conditions including fee structures with all kinds of employers and employer’s groups. We are a campaigning and organising union and proud of our strong record of taking issues to parliament and other centres of influence. Set up in 1930, Equity has had many landmark moments: We have brought about fair payments and fees for artists; health and safety regulation; an outstanding royalties and residuals structure; members’ pension and insurance schemes; supported individuals and groups of members; taken a stand on their behalf and made a difference in countless ways.
Website: www.equity.org.uk/
Instagram: @equityuk
Facebook: EquityUK
X: @EquityUK
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/equity-uk/
Click here to read bio.
Dancers Network
We’re the united voice for the commercial dance industry, supporting dancers with navigating the industry and protecting their rights. Our vision is to elevate and regulate the dance industry. We see a future where dancers can work in harmony with agents, choreographers, casting, productions and record labels to ensure they’re supported, valued and properly compensated for being the professional athletes they truly are. Our mission is to bridge the gap between profession and passion by offering the primary membership for dance artists working in the unregulated commercial dance industry.
Website: www.dancersnetwork.com
Instagram: @dancersnetworkuk
Facebook: DancersNetwork
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dancers-network/
We’re the united voice for the commercial dance industry, supporting dancers with navigating the industry and protecting their rights. Our vision is to elevate and regulate the dance industry. We see a future where dancers can work in harmony with agents, choreographers, casting, productions and record labels to ensure they’re supported, valued and properly compensated for being the professional athletes they truly are. Our mission is to bridge the gap between profession and passion by offering the primary membership for dance artists working in the unregulated commercial dance industry.
Website: www.dancersnetwork.com
Instagram: @dancersnetworkuk
Facebook: DancersNetwork
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dancers-network/
Banner image: Nandita Shankardass Dancer, Choreographer,
Teacher, Facilitator,
Royal Ballet School Alumni, DCD EDI Working Group member. Photography: Simon Richardson.
Get in touch image: Sherisse Bisram, Dancer, Choreographer. Photography: Laura Belcher.
A direct difference
Help dancers take their next step in their careers beyond performance.
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