Scottish charity Be United adds Louis Parker-Evans and others to board of directors

Be United, the Scotland-based charity addressing the significant underrepresentation and misrepresentation of Black people within the creative industries, has announced the appointment of four new board members. The organisation which also addresses the lack of Black people holding senior positions or positions of authority within the creative sectors, delivers a series of programmes to support, develop and showcase Black creative talent in Scotland. Working with organisations across Scotland including Edinburgh International Festival, Fruitmarket, STV Studios, Amazon Studios, Creative Scotland and The Royal Lyceum Theatre amongst others.

New Trustees joining the Be United Board are Veronique AA Lapeyre, Olubukola Popoola, Ben Chinchen and Louis Parker-Evans, a contemporary dance artist with experience touring internationally with award-winning dance companies  2Faced Dance Company and Tavazia Dance. Alongside performing, Louis is also an experienced Rehearsal Director and Producer. 

When asked about his appointment Louis said: 

"After meeting Emma Sithole (Executive Director) at Clore Leadership Pulse 2023 and seeing how dedicated, passionate and serious she was about addressing imbalances in the sector, I was keen to join the board of Be United not only to further my own professional development and understanding of governance but to contribute towards a more equitable landscape for a sector and industry I love dearly. Finding an organisation like Be United with fantastic leadership and morals that align with my own is a fantastic opportunity and I look forward to working with the team in this exciting new chapter for the organisation.”

With support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, Be United undertook an extensive 360 board and leadership review with engaged governance consultant Briana Pegado, who specialises in intersectional, anti-racist, feminist governance and inclusive recruitment practices. This approach aligned with the organisation's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion at all levels of the organisation. Taking guidance from Briana, Be United implemented an inclusive 3-month board recruitment period, enhanced internal training and onboarding processes and completed an internal review of the charity’s leadership.

The new Trustees will join existing Board Members Boysie Gumede, Dr Thelma Okey-Adibe, Sathia Chetty and Fiyin Fakunle to deliver Be United’s five-year goal to support 500 Black people into, and up in the creative industries in Scotland. Board recruitment continues in 2024 as Be United searches for a new Treasurer. Applications will open in April of this year.  

For further information on Be United and the organisations activity please visit https://be-united.org.uk/ or follow on Instagram @beunitedworld.