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 worked with Crafts Council London, Jerwood Foundation, Design Museum, Design & Crafts Council of Ireland. She was on Migration Museum’s Peoples’ Panel (2022-23) and in 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.
Maria is a Lewisham resident and parent of two teenagers educated in the borough. Her career spans senior leadership roles in arts and culture organisations, producing programmes for young people, and freelance work as a strategist, facilitator and evaluator. She has worked as part of an Arm’s Length Government Body, influencing and supporting delivery of complex multi-million pound funding programmes, and supporting organisations and artists to navigate them. She has also worked directly with government to create and influence national policy related to education and the arts. Maria has worked for the Arts Council twice, as a Relationship Manager, and then more recently in a national policy role related to children and young people. Through these roles, she has supported delivery of complex multi-million pound funding programmes, and organisations and artists to navigate them. She has also worked directly with government to influence national policy related to education and the arts.
Sheree-Marie Abraham – Vice-Chair (she/her)
Creative Producer & Systems Specialist for Grassroots Arts & Community Organisations
A proud South East Londoner, her work is rooted in supporting local creative and community organisations to develop robust programmes, partnerships and systems, with a particular focus on supporting local cultural ecosystems. Sheree-Marie brings experience across senior leadership, strategic development, fundraising and programme delivery at both local and national level. Most recently CEO of Sydenham Arts, she led the organisation’s strategic direction, partnerships, and programming, while developing its operational and governance structures. Her work within national organisations including the Royal Academy of Arts, Southbank Centre and The Photographers’ Gallery developed her experience in fundraising and partnership development. Alongside this, her roles at Bromley Youth Music Trust, Lewisham College, Watergate School and as Associate Director at Future Talent focused on delivering educational and music programmes for children and young people at both local and national level.
As part of her independent practice, she continues to work closely with grassroots organisations across South East London, including Spontaneous Productions and the Sydenham Artists’ Trail.
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
Bea Denton – Trustee (she/her)
Artist; Art and Design Tutor, Adult Learning Lewisham; Subject Matter Expert, UAL Awarding Body; External Moderator, UAL Awarding Body; 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)
Déarbhaile initially moved to London from Ireland to pursue a music degree, which was shortly followed by an MA in Creative and Cultural Industries at Kings College London. She fell in love with music education during her time as a Producer for Music for Youth. Music for Youth is a national arts charity that provides young people with performance and progression opportunities. During her time at MFY, she produced festivals across England, Scotland and Wales and 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 professional development of top conservatoire graduates- many of whom now occupy leading seats in prominent orchestras around the world. Déarbhaile is currently Projects Manager at Trinity Laban where she delivers a wide portfolio of music education projects.
James Thomas – Trustee (he/his)
James Thomas studied music at Goldsmith College and York University and has worked in music education since 1986. He is an experienced teacher, community musician and trainer whose work encompasses a range of sectors: primary, secondary, post-compulsory and community education. James has worked as a session musician and arranger and as musical director/composer for several theatre productions and community projects. He was director of the Lewisham Academy of Music and led his own Latin Jazz band “Fusion Blue” for 6 years. In 2003 James was appointed Head of the Lewisham Centre for Young Musicians and has taught at The Conservatoire since 1993 and leads on their partnerships and community projects. As a trainer, James has devised and led professional development courses and workshops for musicians and teachers, music services and community arts providers. He has also taught on teacher training courses and arts-based vocational training programmes.
Emma Webster – Trustee (she/her)
Assistant Headteacher (Assessment, Teaching and Learning) at Prendergast Primary School
Julia Mirkin – Trustee (she/her)
Funding Manager at City Bridge Trust
Jessica Austin-Burdett – Trustee (she/her)
Head of Art and Community at Deptford Green School
Anna Croall – Trustee (she/her)
Team Leader (Arts Education) at the Department for Education
Helena Emmanuel – Trustee
Senior Student Experience Officer at King’s College London
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 paid interns, students on educational placements and volunteers to work on both our projects and core work. We wholeheartedly appreciate them sharing their time, efforts and knowledge with us. If you are interested in volunteering with us please email Sharon Trotter sharon@leanarts.org.uk
