ARTS CANTEEN - Key Persons
Anissa was born and bred in London and is half Tunisian. With this background, she has a natural curiosity for the Arab world and an interest in learning more about her cultural heritage. She is passionate about making a difference to the lives of others through her work as Head of Partnerships at the international NGO Farm Africa. Among her other interests are choral singing, bread baking and exercise to music.
Arun joined Arts Canteen in May 2020 to enable the migration of AC events online. He is a digital media specialist, with extensive experience of organising and providing technical audio-visual technology expertise for live events via his own venture Silva Media. Arun is keen to support the arts through fundraising events and is actively involved in volunteering for charitable causes as a director of a non-profit foundation in Asia.
Aser El Saqqa - Founder, Managing Director
Aser has extensive experience across the Middle East and in Europe promoting and managing emerging artists from the Arab world. Aser began his career in Spain where he studied Applied Arts. He was Head of Public Relations for the Ministry of Culture in Gaza, Palestine before working as an Analyst in London between 2001 and 2009. He then left the City to explore opportunities for Arts Canteen.
Bushra El-Turk is a British-Lebanese composer, selected by the BBC as one of the most inspiring 100 Women of today. Bushra has written over fifty works for the concert hall, the stage and multi-media, performed and broadcast on radio and television worldwide, including the London Symphony Orchestra and BBC Proms. In 2010 she co-founded the Chelsea Music Academy to educate communities and promote Middle-Eastern music and arts and now teaches at the Royal College of Music Junior Department. Bushra also mentors on various young composer schemes across the UK. She serviced as a board member at the Incorporated Society of Musicians from 2018-2021.
Job Titles:
- Artistic Director
- Executive Director
Oliver is an artistic director and cultural leader with over 20 years' experience in venues, festivals and cultural organisations, most recently as Director/CEO of the Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury and as Artistic Director for London's Rich Mix.
Throughout his work, Oliver has championed diversity and inclusion, built a reputation for programming across disciplines, and strived to bring communities, artists, funders and audiences together.
Now an independent consultant and coach, Oliver works with individuals and organizations to help them think about the way they work, to articulate dreams, make plans and nurture connections.
Oliver joined Arts Canteen in April 2020. He is a cultural leader and programmer with more than 20 years' experience in venues, festivals and cultural organisations, most recently as Director/CEO of the Gulbenkianin Canterbury and as Artistic Director for London's Rich Mix.
Ornella joined Arts Canteen in March 2022 to support the company with event planning and promotion. She is passionate about accompanying artists and institutions in the delivery of their projects. Ornella has been working as a freelance producer for the past 3 years and has worked on a variety of projects, from light festivals to international dance tours. Ornella was previously a fundraiser at Sadler's Wells.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director at DeaconCapital Asset Management LLP
Prior to joining DCAM (DIFC RO) as the Managing Director, Ramzi was the Senior Executive Officer of DeaconCapital (Dubai) Ltd - DCD - from March 2009 till January 2016. Prior to DCD, Ramzi Tarazi was a Vice President at Merrill Lynch Bank (Suisse) S.A. Dubai Branch - DIFC. Ramzi had a career of nine years at Merrill Lynch; the first three were at Merrill Lynch International Bank in London prior to moving with Merrill Lynch to Dubai in 2003. Ramzi was responsible for advising a selected high net worth client base on their investment portfolios and other related wealth management and generational planning needs.
Rob Parton (Amplify) is an experienced development consultant, who has worked in senior management positions in organisations covering the arts, heritage, community, social welfare and human rights. Passionate about supporting diversity in the arts Rob has led and supported a number of high-profile projects previously with the Barbican, Shape Arts, and more recently working with Goldsmiths University, and Institute for Sound and Music among others. Rob also runs a community music project Plugged, connecting those working with electronic music together to collaborate and exchange ideas.
Stephanie is a London based theatre, event, and headshot photographer, originally from South Yorkshire. She has been taking photos for Arts Canteen since 2019 when she was the National Theatre's River Stage Festival photographer. The Shubbak Festival, in collaboration with Arts Canteen, took over the River Stage for a fantastic weekend that Stephanie had the pleasure of photographing. In addition to her photography, Stephanie is a trained actress working in theatre and film.