Tomorrow’s Warriors announces new leaders in a landmark step for diversity in UK Jazz with a series of dynamic new appointments to its Board of Trustees and Senior Management Team.
Tomorrow’s Warriors welcomes Tove Okunniwa MBE as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees, taking over from Viv Broughton – who remains a trustee – and bringing decades of strategic marketing and leadership experience. She is joined by Gloria Fagbemiro FCMI – a seasoned executive and organisational development consultant – as Trustee/Secretary, and Jez Nelson MBE – celebrated broadcaster, media executive and lifelong champion of jazz – as Trustee.
Further strengthening the organisation’s leadership, Sian Lord-Baptiste takes up the role of Chief Operating Officer, drawing on her extensive experience in media and the third sector, while Erin Barnes brings 25 years of creative learning expertise to her new position as Head of Learning, Outreach & Engagement.
The new Senior Management Team is now 83% female (5 out of 6 members) and 67% global majority (4 out of 6 members). This bold commitment to equity and inclusion ensures the organisation’s leadership reflects the diverse communities it serves.
Janine Irons OBE, Co-Founder and CEO of Tomorrow’s Warriors, said:
“These appointments mark the beginning of an exciting new era for Tomorrow’s Warriors. With such a dynamic, visionary, and diverse team at the helm, we are poised to grow our impact, deepen our legacy, and continue breaking down barriers for the next generation of artists and leaders. It’s a bold step forward that reflects both our history and our future.Representation at the highest level of leadership isn’t just symbolic, it’s essential. For Tomorrow’s Warriors, having leaders who reflect the diverse communities we serve means our young people can see themselves in positions of influence and power. It strengthens our voice, deepens our impact, and ensures that the values of equity and inclusion are not just spoken about, but lived at every level of the organisation.”
Photo credit: Tomorrow’s Warriors. Pictured: L-R, Sian Lord-Baptiste, Tove Okunniwa MBE & Janine Irons