BOARD
Joseph Jeffers - Chair
Joseph Jeffers is the CEO of Advice Support Knowledge Information (ASKI), a registered charity dedicated to providing essential services to older adults in Croydon, Sutton, and Southwark. Under his leadership, ASKI was honoured with the King's Award for Voluntary Service in 2024, recognizing the organization's commitment to enhancing the lives of the community it serves.
With over 35 years of experience in management within the voluntary sector, Joseph is a passionate advocate for societal change. His diverse background includes a former career in dance, which has significantly influenced his current work. He is developing an innovative practice called "Gathering," which aims to unite people through dance, music, and food to foster meaningful change and connection.
Joseph holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), and a Master of Arts in Gender Studies. He is currently pursuing an MA in Dance Community and Activism at the London Contemporary Dance School, furthering his commitment to exploring the intersection of art and social justice.
Joseph is committed to co-creating and collaborating with organisations who are committed to developing inclusive and diverse organisations with a strong focus on belonging. Joseph brings his visionary, strategic and tactical experience of people leadership and organisational culture in a range of organisations to his role in IRIE.
In recognition of his dedication to research and advocacy, Joseph was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship in 2024, enabling him to investigate the impact of movement on older Black bodies. His work continues to inspire and empower individuals and communities, advocating for inclusivity and well-being through the arts.
Desmond Clarke
Born in Jamaica, and one of the oldest Board members, Desmond worked as a technician at the National Freight Cooperation, and as a Training Officer at Wandsworth Training Agency. He also developed and delivered accredited vocational training programmes at the New Cross Computer Project. He is a holder of a full City & Guilds technological certificate, and a Certificate in Education. Desmond has planned, developed and delivered training programs while working in middle-management for over thirty years. He has also volunteered his skills various statutory agencies and community organisations and has served on a number of management committees, planning committees and remuneration panels.
Sheba Montserrat
Sheba is a graduate of IRIE! dance theatre’s first formal qualification in African and Caribbean dance. Gaining her Diploma in 1999. She has been a Caribbean dance practitioner with over 20 years’ experience teaching and choreographing in all aspects of the community. She is a live show producer bringing a variety of performance genres to diverse audiences. Sheba is Caribbean culture historian, trained at the Victorian and Albert Museum in 2016, where she created and give tours around the V&A Europe Gallery.
She is a performance poet and perform live as well as creating videos for social media. She is a stand-up comedian, who write and performs her own material for live performances.
All of the above experience she will bring to the development of IRIE! as well as an awareness of changes and trends in the performing industry, making sure that IRIE! dance theatre remains relevant. She has experienced intense dance training and understand the impact it can have on individuals and the wider community. She hopes that her experience will help to keep IRIE! dance theatre one of Britain’s leading African and Caribbean arts and cultural organisation.
Paulette Ryan
Paulette’s journey with IRIE! dance theatre began when IRIE! delivered a workshop at her college in 1986. Her experience as a former student and teacher of African and Caribbean dance underpins her desire to continue to contribute to the legacy of the company, and ensure that IRIE! maintain its presence, relevance and influence on the British dance platform. As a young black dancer, she found IRIE! inspirational; to see herself reflected in art, culture and dance/theatre. She would like all young people of African and Caribbean decent to share that positive experience of their culture, know that there is a lengthy and rich heritage. Her extensive work as a Youth Support and Development Worker will add to IRIE!’s Children and Young Peoples agenda. She is passionate about being a custodian of this dynamic artform, making it accessible to generations of young people and the community locally, nationally and internationally.
Paulette is one of a few people to hold an accredited qualification in African and Caribbean dance. Delivered by IRIE! accredited by Birkbeck College, franchised by City and Islington College. The course ran as a pilot from 1998-2001