Lewisham Music has a great Board of Trustees who are responsible for the governance and oversight of the charity.
Our Trustees represent a broad mix of skills and perspectives, and dedicate their time to help the charity create positive change in young people’s lives through music. Come and meet the Trustees below.
Joan Ruddock
Chair of Trustees
A bit about me
I was the Member of Parliament for Lewisham Deptford for many years and always loved attending performances by local young people, so I was delighted to be asked to chair Lewisham Music four years ago. Not an easy task, we were facing financial difficulties, a move to the Fellowship and needed a new CEO.
But it’s been so rewarding, we have stabilised finances, recruited committed trustees, developed a great space and are working with a fabulous team led by Charly. And I continue to be inspired by the choirs, bands, orchestras and individual artists we work with.
What’s currently on my playlist
My music choices are numerous – from Italian opera, to soul, to sitar and steel bands.
Favourite places in Lewisham
My favourite places are of course The Fellowship, but also The Albany Theatre and Babur restaurant in Brockley.
Audrey Bleazard
Trustee
A bit about me
I have been a trustee at Lewisham Music since 2021, having worked in the PR industry for over 20 years.
I’ve spent most of my life in and around the Lewisham borough; attending Adamsrill primary and secondary school at Sedgehill, where my love of music began. Through the dedication of my teachers at school – especially Mr Masters at Sedgehill – I was allowed the opportunity to experience some life-changing musical moments, that have helped shape the person I am today. I have very special memories of our school bands and ensembles playing in iconic venues such as The Royal Albert Hall, DisneyLand in Florida and The Broadway Theatre!
Lewisham is a borough rich with musical talent and I think that music can bring so much positivity to the lives of young people.
I am delighted to be a part of the Lewisham Music family and the life-changing work that they do in the borough.
What’s currently on my playlist
The ‘playlist’ (mainly CD based!) is varied and favourites include: Prince, Maceo Parker, Digable Planets, Meshell Ndegeocello, Larry Graham, George Benson, Jamiroquai, Omar, Randy Crawford, Nile Rodgers, Stormzy, Gil Scott Heron, Jill Scott, Billie Holiday, Lola Young, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Beverley Knight, Whitney, Destiny’s Child, The Kanneh-Masons, Angie Stone, Erykah Badu, Brand New Heavies, Aretha… stopping there, but the playlist goes on and on!
Favourite places in Lewisham
The ‘Big Cat’ in Catford, Beckenham Place Park, Hormiman Museum and Gardens, Mayow Park, the Fellowship Inn and cinema, Catford Mews Cinema.
Councillor Chris Barnham
Trustee
A bit about me
I’m a member of Lewisham Council (representing Crofton Park) and Lewisham’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People. When I’m not doing that, I write science fiction or get out of London and walk in the wilds.
What’s currently on my playlist
Current favourite (which is proving hard to shift) is Taylor Swift, much to my daughters’ embarrassment. Beyond that, I have a soft spot for 1970s reggae.
Favourite places in Lewisham
Hilly Fields in Ladywell, and other spots on the Brockley Three Peaks Walk.
Fiona Lambert
Trustee and Safeguarding Lead
A bit about me
I joined Lewisham Music as a trustee in 2018 and bring with me my experience of producing music projects and events with anyone and everyone. Over the past twenty years I’ve worked in the participation teams at big organisations such as English National Opera, Glyndebourne Opera, Southbank Centre, Royal Opera House and Royal Ballet and smaller ones like City of London Sinfonia and Spitalfields Music. I like building relationships with people and places and making a difference to people’s lives by creating and sharing music together.
What’s currently on my playlist
Ooh, tricky. It changes all the time and is a real mix of sounds… 6 Music is always on in our kitchen but currently Lizzo, Portishead, Beck, Nightmares on Wax, Lily Allen, Stone Roses, Wet Leg, JS Bach, Nirvana and Tracy Chapman.
Favourite places in Lewisham
Sydenham Woods, Catford Mews, Crystal Palace Park and the original Catford Constitutional Club.
Jim Ripley
Trustee
A bit about me
I’m retired now but used to be the CEO of Phoenix Community Housing in South Lewisham for many years. I love the work we do at Lewisham Music with our amazing young people and staff.
What’s currently on my playlist
TBC
Favourite places in Lewisham
My favourite places in Lewisham are the Fellowship and Beckenham Place Park.
Lateefah Brown
Trustee
A bit about me
I’m Lateefah, also known as Letty. I am a DJ, Radio host and creative content writer and avid traveler. Whilst I love a jam sesh, festival and rave I’m also all about balance, meditation, nature and an advocate for holistic health! I am delighted to join Lewisham music as a trustee and look forward to giving back and being a part of the next generation of talented artists and creatives!
What’s currently on my playlist
As a multidisciplinary DJ I listen to a plethora of genres but currently I have Kaytranada, Alex Isley, P-rallel, Jill Scott, Hagan, and Vacatixn on repeat!
Favourite places in Lewisham
Mountsfield park always has a special place in my heart as this was my local park growing up. Eat of eden (when it used to be open) and Deptford market.
Lydia Brookes
Trustee
A bit about me
Music has always been an important part of my life: as a teenager I was lucky to have a lot of playing opportunities in local orchestras and some inspirational teachers and conductors along the way. I initially joined the Lewisham music board to offer my legal skills, having worked as a solicitor for over 10 years, specialising in the charity and education sector. After a career change I now work in music management, most recently for the concert venue St John’s Smith Square and the orchestral development programme Southbank Sinfonia. I have also worked for the English Chamber Orchestra and Tenebrae choir, touring in the U.K. and Europe. I grew up in Worcestershire and have lived and worked in Italy (where I met my partner in an orchestra!). We moved to London when I started my legal training, settling on the Lewisham/Greenwich borders where – over 15 years later – we happily remain.
What’s currently on my playlist
Usually a mixture of different styles depending on my mood and the time of day – e.g. Mozart piano concertos, Elton John, Italian opera or a musical or film soundtrack. I still mainly listen to music on CDs or sometimes on my very ancient ipod that I’ve had for about 15 years. One of the great things about working closely with music is that I get chance to hear a lot of live performances – most recently Tenebrae singing Jody Talbot’s Path of Miracles in a beautiful abbey in the French countryside.
Favourite places in Lewisham
Blackheath Halls – it’s fantastic to have such a lovely concert hall space on my doorstep with a thriving community participation programme, not to mention also Lewisham Music’s Turning of the Year concerts!
Living in an Anglo-Italian household, Antonio’s deli in Lewisham town centre is a great place to stock up on Italian produce and I think Sapori d’Italia on Lee Road probably makes the best pizza in the area.
Nadiya Hoffman
Trustee
A bit about me
I went to Turnham Primary School and Sedgehill Secondary School before moving to Croydon for a while, of course now I am residing back in the best borough… Lewisham. Interesting fact – I featured on a song with a grime group called South Soldiers when I was younger and performed it as part of a showcase to support the ‘don’t trigger’ campaign, in addition to that, I have also performed at Royal Albert Hall with Vocalize and the infamous Mr Gilbert! I have fortunately been lucky enough to take part in a music management internship in the city that never sleeps – New York which helped me discover Sam Fischer before he became famous for his song ‘This City’. Outside of Lewisham Music, I work with a property developer along with developing upcoming musician/talents within the music industry.
What’s currently on my playlist
A mixture of everything to be honest, but Adele – Love in the dark has been played everyday recently along with a daily rotation of Valiant, Teyana Taylor and some Amapiano.
Favourite places in Lewisham
Kebab Town holds a special place in my heart as so many memories were created here after school, also Cafe East which was an AMAZING Vietnamese restaurant in Deptford that has now sadly closed down.
Robert Kiruta-Kigozi
Trustee
A bit about me
I’m Rob, a music producer and composer. I joined Lewisham Music as a trustee in July 2021, inspired by a personal connection. I was once a recipient of subsidised music education in my home borough of Lambeth, giving me first-hand experience of its transformative impact. Without such opportunities, I wouldn’t have been able to study the cello, work with some of the UK’s most promising artists or score award-winning music documentaries. This connection to my past fuels my commitment to Lewisham Music’s mission of enriching young people’s lives through music. I’m also an Economics, Finance & Banking graduate with six years of experience in the technology consulting sector. My interest extends beyond music to encompass business and entrepreneurship, which I find equally as thrilling.
What’s currently on my playlist
As of recent – Kendrick Lamar (ESPECIALLY after seeing him live at the 02), BLK ODYSSY, Terrace Martin, Steve Lacey, Mnelia, Alfa Mist, Agajon, Ludwig Göransson, Nicholas Britell.
Favourite places in Lewisham
Horniman Museum – so many childhood memories!
Susie York Skinner
Trustee and Deputy Chair
A bit about me
I joined Lewisham Music as a trustee in 2018, having lived in the borough since 2010. My involvement has enabled me to combine my professional life, working in music education (I’m CEO of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra), and my personal life, raising children here in Lewisham. I’ve loved seeing the charity flourish at The Fellowship and to learning more about the people, places and music in this brilliant, eclectic part of London.
What’s currently on my playlist
Right now it’s Amy Wadge’s music from the Keeping Faith soundtrack, but my taste is eclectic and on another day it could have been Bach or Handel, Nina Simone or Maria Schneider, contemporary choral music or whatever football anthem my children are forcing me to listen to!
Favourite places in Lewisham
It would either have to be one of our many parks – Hilly Fields for the views or Mayow Park for the memories – or the brilliant Bottle Bar in Catford, for their excellent cocktails.
