Staff
Sharon Trotter – Director
With a background in art history and trained as a secondary art teacher, Sharon has worked in cultural education for many years, including Walker Art Gallery (Liverpool), the V&A Museum, Tate Britain, Borough of Waltham Forest and the “11 by 11” programme in Borough of Islington. She was Head of Learning at William Morris Gallery before joining LEAN in April 2023.
Julia Ravenscroft – Programme Engagement Coordinator
Originally from Liverpool and a Lewisham resident since 2005, Julia graduated in Fashion Journalism, PR and Marketing at the London College of Fashion, and Arts Administration at Birkbeck College. Julia has worked with the Crafts Council London, Jerwood Foundation, Design Museum and Design & Crafts Council of Ireland. She was a member of the Migration Museum’s Peoples’ Panel (2022-23) and Lewisham and Greenwich Hospital Trust Arts Steering Group (2024-25).
Stephanie Chung – Finance & Admin Officer
Grew up in Hong Kong, Stephanie spent three years in Deptford while pursuing an MFA Curating at Goldsmiths (2024) and subsequently a Curatorial Fellowship with Goldsmiths CCA (24-25). Her experience is rooted in socially engaged art. In her independent practice, she has delivered projects with Deptford Lounge, Deptford X, Cubitt Artists and Chisenhale Studios. She joined LEAN in January 2023.
LEAN is supported in our work by a board of volunteer trustees
Maria Turley – Chair (she/her)
Venture Partner at Purposeful Ventures
Appointed as Chair in March 2026, Maria has worked with and alongside LEAN for over 15 years, through roles at Arts Council England and Lewisham Music, and as a trustee.
A Lewisham resident and parent of two teenagers educated in the borough, Maria has held senior leadership roles in arts and culture organisations, producing programmes for young people, and worked freelance as a strategist, facilitator and evaluator. At Arts Council England, she supported delivery of complex multi-million-pound funding programmes, and organisations and artists to navigate them. She has also advised government on national education and arts policy.
Sheree-Marie Abraham – Vice-Chair (she/her)
Creative Producer & Systems Specialist for Grassroots Arts & Community Organisations
Sheree-Marie Abraham is a South East London–based Creative Producer and Organisational Strategist with a strong background in arts, music and education. Her previous work includes senior roles with Bromley Youth Music Trust, Future Talent and Sydenham Arts. She supports arts, education and community organisations to strengthen systems, develop sustainable programmes and build meaningful partnerships.
Treasurer (vacant – currently recruiting)
If you are interested, please contact mariaturley@me.com
Veronica Sarmiento – Secretary (she/her)
Manager: Creative Careers at London Transport Museum
Veronica is a dedicated Learning and Engagement Manager passionate about working with young people and diverse communities and encouraging their participation with arts and cultural organisations.
Bea Denton – Trustee (she/her)
Artist; Art and Design Tutor, Adult Learning Lewisham; Subject Matter Expert/External Moderator/External Assessor, UAL Awarding Body
Bea is an artist with a studio practice in Fine Art, photography and printmaking. She has substantial experience of teaching and curriculum development in Art and Design Further Education in the UK, and in Brazil and China. She currently works with UAL Awarding Body as a Subject Matter Expert and External Moderator/Assessor in FE Art and Design.
Déarbhaile Nairn – Trustee (she/her)
Projects Manager, Children and Young People at Trinity Laban
Déarbhaile fell in love with music education during her time as a Producer for Music for Youth. During her time at MFY, she produced large-scale events such as Schools Prom at the Royal Albert Hall. Following on from that, she became Artist Development Manager at Southbank Sinfonia, overseeing the artist development of top conservatoire graduates.
James Thomas – Trustee (he/his)
Head of Music Service at Hackney Music Service
James studied music at Goldsmiths College and York University and has worked in music education since 1986, spanning primary, secondary, post-compulsory and community settings. A session musician, arranger, and musical director/composer for theatre and community projects, he was director of the Lewisham Academy of Music. He has led the Lewisham Centre for Young Musicians since 2003, and has taught at The Conservatoire since 1993. He also devise and lead training programmes for musicians and teachers, music services and community arts providers.
Emma Webster – Trustee (she/her)
Assistant Headteacher (Assessment, Teaching and Learning) at Prendergast Primary School
Emma is a former contemporary dancer, having trained at Laban and performed nationally and internationally for several years. She is now an assistant headteacher in a Lewisham primary school with a specific interest in creativity in the curriculum as well as developing the practice of teachers. She has a doctorate in education which focused on these areas through the development of a creative model for schools/teachers.
Julia Mirkin – Trustee (she/her)
Funding Manager at City Bridge Trust
Having grown up in south London, Julia received dance training at Lewisham College. She studied Dance with Visual Practice at university and graduated with an MA in Cultural Policy and Management at City University, for which she was awarded an AHRC Fellowship and a Distinction. As a grant-maker, she focuses on arts education and has worked on tackling disadvantage and inequality in London for City Bridge Trust.
Jessica Austin-Burdett – Trustee (she/her)
Head of Art and Community at Deptford Green School
As an experienced secondary art teacher, Jessica brings rich disciplinary and sector knowledge. Trained as teacher and graduated with an MA in Education (School Based Explorations) from Goldsmiths with Distinction, she has been an Art & Design lead for secondary schools for over a decade. She is passionate about arts education for all and is advocate for the arts in all its forms.
Anna Croall – Trustee (she/her)
Team Leader (Arts Education) at the Department for Education
A near lifelong resident of Lewisham, Anna has previously served as a school governor at two federated Lewisham primaries. She has worked at the Department for Education for over a decade, including four years focused on arts education policy, managing DfE’s Music Hubs programme and leading development of the 2023 National Plan for Music Education. She has also worked closely with Arts Council England.
Helena Emmanuel – Trustee
Senior Student Experience Officer at King’s College London
Helena has worked across higher education in roles spanning student experience and operations, supporting multiple faculties and diverse student communities. Her passion for learning and creativity has influenced her professional and personal pursuits, leading her to join LEAN, championing art programmes for young people in Lewisham. Outside of work, she facilitates a series of vision board workshops, creating spaces for creative enthusiasts to explore their aspirations.
Kate Atkinson – Trustee (she/her)
Head of Programmes at Clore Leadership
Lewisham resident for over 20 years, Kate is passionate about making a difference for local children and young people and giving back to her home borough. She spent 11 years working at Trinity Laban as Head of Community & Professional Development, leading a varied music engagement programme. Prior to that, she worked in music education with Sound Connections, Musical Futures, and Drake Music.
Volunteers, Interns and Placement Students
LEAN has welcomed a variety of interns, students on educational placements and volunteers to work on both our projects and core work. For the past few years, we have been partnering with Goldsmiths’ MA Arts Administration & Cultural Policy to provide placement opportunities to their students. We wholeheartedly appreciate them sharing their time, efforts and knowledge with us. If you are interested in working with us please email Sharon Trotter sharon@leanarts.org.uk
