IMPACT DANCE FOUNDATION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Communications Co - Ordinator
- Communications Co - Ordinator / Marketing, PR
Gina has come on board to support us with our social media & is beyond excited to see where the opportunities and experiences can lead her!
Gina Luckett, a recent MA Dance Graduate from Creative Academy has spent the previous year focusing her work towards Arts Administration & Management. Some of her other research has been based around Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's) & the psychology behind dance injury & career transition. She has explored a variety of administrative & management roles, from being the Communications & Marketing Director of an emerging dance company, to a Chairperson of a new community group ‘SIS' & has also directed, produced & choreographed her own throughout-provoking dance film.
She's always been passionate about influencing and motivating the potential of young people, especially young dancers, which is why the environment at Impact Dance resonates with the type of work she would like to progress with in the future. Gina is aiming to work alongside dance companies that produce thought-provoking work, allowing her to provide creative input and support where necessary!
Since 1995, Hakeem has been widely recognised for his significant work as a choreographer, performer, mentor and British Council Cultural Leadership International Ambassador. With reputation preceding him, Hakeem has established himself as a renowned, professional host and MC, working on red carpet movie premieres and other prestigious national and international events.
Hakeem's extensive body of dance work also includes notable assignments for prominent corporations and organisations such as:
Isobel Cook graduated from Kingston University in 2021 with a degree in Dance. After a long history of studying dance at college and performing with several different youth contemporary and hip-hop companies. Isobel decided she wanted a career in the arts, whilst being able to support young people who want to get into a career within Dance. After graduating from Kingston, Isobel completed a PGCE in Secondary Dance Education to achieve her goal of inspiring the next generation of dance artists. Isobel went on to teach GCSE Dance for a year and a half before joining the Impact Team as their new Producer.
Isobel is now on her way to establishing herself within the early years of her career within the arts and fill the role of Producer at Impact Dance. She looks forward to exciting opportunities that Impact Dance will bring for her.
Job Titles:
- Designated Safeguarding Officer
- Head of Engagement
Joey has spent the past 18 years working extensively as a dance practitioner and education manager for dance companies and conservatoires, including Jonzi D Productions, Green Candle Dance Company, Cindy Claes Productions, Trinity Laban, Greenwich Dance, the Southbank, London Youth Dance, and Islington Arts Factory.
She has also produced and delivered continuing professional development for dance practitioners and companies across the UK, taught on Trinity Laban's Postgraduate in Dance and Community, and created projects and resources for youth dance and schools, including Creative Partnerships and Cultural Olympiad projects for 2012.
Joey is also a Designated Safeguarding Officer with 12 years' experience as a safeguarding lead for various arts organisations. In 2020 she wrote the world's first dance specific safeguarding training course, which is now certified by CPD and delivered through her consultancy Squad Safe.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Impact Dance Advisory Board
- Non - Executive Director Chair / Principal Director Tp Bennett
- Principal Director Tp Bennett
- Trustee of the World Monuments Fund
Originally from Yorkshire, Julian has been with the London based architects tp bennett since 1994. Julian's working life initially saw him contributing to a wide variety of projects at the company including new-build developments and historic refurbishments. His career took on a different emphasis after he worked on a new London HQ for Goldman Sachs which enabled him to focus on providing a specialised and innovative interior design service for corporate clients in London and overseas.
Julian has led many projects for large global clients and believes that a ‘people first' approach always ensures the most successful outcome for all. He has spoken internationally on ‘workplace' and has a particular interest on the emerging theme of supporting neurodiversity through design to ensure that the greatest number of people thrive in their environments.
Julian is also a trustee of the World Monuments Fund (UK), the St Giles-in-the-Fields charities and a Freeman of the City of London with the Worshipful Company of Architects.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Impact Dance Advisory Board
- Advisory Board
- Freelance Creative Consultant
Nadine has worked in the UK and international art sector for over 20 years supporting artists and arts organisations to develop and strengthen their opportunities and growth. She has held a variety of positions, including Head of Partnerships and Programmes for the British Council sub Saharan Africa Arts Group and Projects Manager at Sadler's Well.
As a freelance creative consultant, she draws upon her wide-ranging knowledge of contemporary arts practice and networks to provide specialist advice as well as participating directly in programme design, implementation, management, and evaluation. She is currently working on a range of international projects as well as working as a policy researcher for higher education institutions that specialise in delivering creative education. These include Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Leeds Conservatoire, Central School of Speech & Drama, Glasgow School of Art, University of the Arts London and Trinity Laban. She is also a Board member for the Lagos and Abuja Fringes.
Naomi Fletcher has over 20 years' experience in planning and implementing creative marketing campaigns to help companies grow their reach.
After graduating with a BA (Hons) in Marketing and Design, Naomi has worked in a number of industries - from media and property through to health and education.
Although Naomi hasn't taken a traditional route into the arts - her love of theatre and the creative arts has been lifelong.
Naomi joined Impact dance in January 2024. She is also the director of The Ghanaian Language School and brings with her a wealth of experience and a passion for serving young people.
Job Titles:
- Academy Coordinator & Lead Artist
Nia James graduated with B.A (hons) Dance from Middlesex University in June 2021. She was an integral part of Impact Youth as a dancer for three years, acting as Vice-Captain. Over the past eight years, she has been fortunate enough to perform nationally and internationally with Impact Dance. In September 2020, she became our Academy Coordinator and Lead Academy Artist for the Academy, also delivering outreach activities. She is successfully passing on her first-hand knowledge and experience to the young people she is now supporting. Nia is also a dance company member of FFI, Impact Dance's graduate company, choreographing and performing at a range of events, including for the Dance Awards 2023.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Impact Dance Advisory Board
- Head of Economics & Business, Secondary Grammar
- Non - Executive Director / Head of Economics & Business, Secondary Grammar
Nick has been a non-practising barrister since 2006 and a qualified teacher since 1995. His subject is Economics, although he holds university degrees in History and qualifications in Law. He is a Head of Department at a grammar school in Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire. He has taught all over the world, including at a university in Turkey, at a school in the UAE and in the Channel Islands. He was a contributor to The Oxford Companion to British History in 1995 on the history of sport and more recently to the journal Economics Today (whose readership is young economists). His Master's thesis was on The Callaghan Government and the Creation of the European Monetary System. Despite watching Co me Dancing with his mother and enjoying Strictly, he admits to knowing nothing about dance, since his friend of 42 years (Hakeem Onibudo) was unable to persuade him of its marginal utility when they were studying Economics together in the late 1980s. He does, however, emphatically see its benefits to the young people Mr Impact teaches and that is why he is so proud to be a non-executive director of the Impact Dance Company.
Olivia has nearly 2 decades of dance experience under her belt.
Her dance odyssey began with Hip-Hop, where she delved into both choreography and freestyle, honing her skills and crafting her unique style. However, Olivia's thirst for artistic exploration led her to also explore contemporary dance and drama, enriching her performances with depth and emotion.
It was during her time with Boy Blue that Olivia truly found her niche, discovering her love for popping, animation, and waving. These intricate and captivating styles became her signature, captivating audiences wherever she performed.
Throughout her career, Olivia has graced numerous prestigious stages and theatres, including Sadlers Wells, Barbican Theatre, and the Rose Theatre. She has also left her mark on festivals such as Latitude and significant events like the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and the MOBO Awards.
Olivia has also danced for esteemed artists such as Anne-Marie, Black Sheriff, and Stefflon Don and her talent has caught the attention of major television networks like Channel 4 and the BBC, as well as entertainment giants like Disney.
Paige Jarrett graduated from Kingston University in 2016. After graduating, Paige went on to work on Ignition Dance Festival produced by DanceWest (2016 - 2018) offering producing support and event management. In 2017, she became the first Trainee Producer at The Place on the Arts Council Funded Changemakers Programme working alongside Hakeem Onibudo. During her role at the Place, Paige was responsible for producing 3 major events including LIVEVIBE, MIXIN' MEDIA and TUNE-D IN. Paige is now on her way to establishing herself as one of the new leaders in the arts and can easily fill the role of any creative producer within any high-level arts organisation. She has been working for Impact Dance for the past two years as Creative Producer managing projects, events and performances for the company.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Impact Dance Advisory Board
- Advisory Board
- Culture Strategy: Leeds City Council / View Profile
Pam was a professional dancer working with DV8 Physical Theatre (1987) and dancer and choreographer with Phoenix Dance Theatre (1989-1998) where she was among one of the first of four females introduced to the all-male company. She went on to become the outreach development manager for Kokuma Dance Theatre Company in Birmingham and subsequently worked for the Northern School of Contemporary Dance to establish the institution's inaugural widening participation strategy.
Pam joined Arts Council England (ACE) in 2003 as dance officer for North West England and became relationship manager for dance in Yorkshire. In 2013 she was promoted to Senior Relationship Manager at ACE London where she managed the dance and combined arts teams and coordinated the Arts Council's strategic partnerships with London's local government. After over 15 years she left ACE to take on a new role with Leeds City Council where she manages the city's culture strategy.
Pam was the recipient of Young Achiever in the Arts and Woman of Achievement awards for her contribution to arts development in Yorkshire.
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Member of the Impact Dance Advisory Board
- Non - Executive Director
- Freelance Arts Manager
Ros Robins is an arts leader with 40 years' experience of working in the arts sector.
Until recently Ros was Executive Director of Dance Consortium, a Consortium of 20 large scale lyric theatres across the UK. Ros works with the Chief Executives of the theatres to present the best international dance companies from across the globe to local audiences.
Having gained significant experience managing regional producing theatres in Liverpool and Birmingham Ros joined Arts Council England in 2000 and become Regional Director in West Midlands. During her time at the Arts Council Ros chaired the board of the Regional Cultural Olympiad in 2012. Working with artists, communities and public bodies across the West Midlands Ros ensured the delivery of a hugely successful programme and considers this to be one of her greatest career achievements. After 13 years with Arts Council England Ros returned to the arts sector to continue to lead and inspire change and organisational development.
Over the next few years Ros worked with theatre and dance companies across the West Midlands as a consultant and mentor specialising in organisational change and development, she returned to the Liverpool Everyman as Transition Director supporting the award-winning re-development and re-opening of the Theatre in February 2014 - definitely another career highlight! Since 2014 Ros has continued her links to the theatre sector as Chair of Pentabus, the UK's rural theatre company.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Impact Dance Advisory Board
- Managing Director Red Ochre
- Non - Executive Director / Managing Director Red Ochre
Job Titles:
- Business and Development Director
Vicky Thornton has over 20 years' experience in supporting dance artists and companies realise their creative ambitions by creating the best conditions to make projects and organisations fly.
After graduating with BA (Hons) Dance and Culture from University Surrey in 2002, Vicky cut her producing teeth at South East Dance, where she held a plethora of roles spanning Project Assistant through to Acting CEO in just 5 years. As Head of Screen Dance, Vicky spearheaded the companies internationally recognised specialism working on dance film commissions, including with Channel 4 and BravoFACT and developed their Associate Artist Programme.