As a registered charity, The Paper Birds is governed by an incredible Board of Trustees who work voluntarily to oversee the governance of the organisation. 

Rose Abderabbani | Theatre Programme Manager, Soho Theatre

Rose has worked at Soho Theatre for ten years. In her current role she coordinates the delivery of the theatre programme at Dean Street. Rose is also Company Secretary for Soho Theatre Group, working across all areas of governance. Prior to Soho, Rose worked across administrative and marketing roles at the Print Room in Notting Hill, the Barbican and Donmar Warehouse. Rose has been a Trustee with The Paper Birds since 2018.

Becky Dawson | Facilitator, Consultant & Coach

Becky Dawson is an experienced educator with two decades of teaching experience in both primary and secondary schools. She has expertise as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator and Safeguarding lead. Presently, she serves as a facilitator, consultant and coach, working closely with young people and adults to promote mental health support and wellbeing.

Cristina Holst | Chair | Corporate Lawyer at HSBC (and avid theatre-goer!)

Cristina is a Mergers and Acquisitions lawyer by trade. She worked first at Linklaters and then moved to HSBC as in-a-house lawyer. She has been working at HSBC for 15 years in a variety of roles: Legal, Op Risk and she is now in the Corporate Governance team in Paris. Cristina is Portuguese. She moved to England to do a Masters in law at Cambridge University. After 21 years in the UK, Cristina moved to Paris in 2019. She has been Chair of the Board of Trustees at The Paper Birds since 2018.

Susan Nimmo | Marketing and Comms NatWest Group

Susan is a marketing specialist, working for the last 20 years at NatWest Group in marketing and communications roles. Her specialism is brand strategy and digital marketing. She has extensive experience developing award winning marketing campaigns, winning accolades for her work at the Financial Innovation Awards. Susan is a former board member of Scottish Curling, where she helped the sports organisation evolve and connect with new and diverse audiences.

Chinyere Ogbue |Head of Workforce Development at One Dance UK

Chinyere (she/they) is a Black queer EDI professional currently working as Head of Workforce Development at One Dance UK. Coming from EDI consultancy, and an educational background in Sociology, Chinyere’s drive for better inclusive practices is informed by their understanding of the political and social landscape which made the work that The Paper Birds do aligned with their values. Chinyere is delighted to be a Trustee with The Paper Birds.

Lucy Parker | Head of People at the New Wolsey Theatre

Lucy is Head of People at the New Wolsey Theatre (NWT), where she aims to use her passion for equality and innovative leadership to drive meaningful change. Lucy champions access and inclusion, and enjoys creating inclusive people policies that support strategic ambitions, and ensure that every individual feels valued and empowered. She believes in the power of community, and the importance of creating spaces where all voices are heard and celebrated. Lucy also serves as a trustee for The ACE Project, a grassroots charity in Ipswich, supporting the mental wellbeing of young people. Lucy is delighted to be a trustee of The Paper Birds.

Jots Sehmbi | Digital & Technology Leader and Board Executive
Jots has worked in technology for over two decades and is currently the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at City University. She is recognised in the top 100 UK CIOs for the last four years, and has worked across several sectors including board advisory positions in education, private sector, professional services and royal companies.  Jots is committed to giving back and supports a number of non-profit organisations on digital and technology change. An avid theatre goer and with a passion for supporting the creative arts, Jots is delighted to be trustee at the Paper Birds.

Chris Thorpe | Writer and Director

Chris is a writer and performer from Manchester – his performance work tours internationally, and is also regularly produced for stage and radio throughout Europe and in the US. Chris was the Arvon Foundation mentor for playwriting, 2016/17 and tutors courses regularly for them, he also works with the National Student Drama Festival. He has written radio and film, and is currently working on new projects for NT Connections, mala voadora, China Plate/Rachel Chavkin, and the Royal Court. Chris has an ongoing co-writing and making collaboration with Javaad Alipoor, including Things Hidden Since The Foundation of the World, currently preparing for its US tour after shows at Sydney Opera House and successful runs in Manchester and London, and a new piece in the early stages of writing for Aviva Studios/Factory in Manchester. Chris’s new pieces, A Family Business and the solo piece Talking About The Fire, based on several years researching and working in nuclear disarmament spaces and treaty negotiation developed with China Plate and directed by Claire O’Reilly, are currently touring internationally.

Sarah Wall | Head of Finance and Business Administration, Barbican

Sarah is a qualified accountant with over 20 years in the Creative and Education sector and currently Head of Finance and Business Administration at the Barbican Centre. As a foster carer, Sarah is both honoured and excited to be part of the Board of The Paper Birds, where young people are represented and championed, and where difficult topics and conversations are had and held in a caring and creative way. Sarah is also on the Board of Boy Blue. She has been a Trustee of The Paper Birds since 2022.

Laura Woodward | Creative Director & Co-CEO of The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre

Laura has worked in theatre and the cultural sector for over 16 years. She is a senior arts leader with a focus on creative producing and programming, having worked for theatre companies and cross-art form venues across the UK and internationally. She has a love of work for and by young people and working collaboratively with communities. She was previously the Executive Director of Tall Stories, leading on business strategy, governance, and producing shows for children. And she also previously worked as Senior Producer for Farnham Maltings, Programming & Participation Manager for artsdepot and many a year freelancing for a wonderful array of companies. She is delighted to be a trustee at The Paper Birds and has been on the board since 2019.