Announcing Our New Trustees

Published Date: 16/07/2026

We are delighted to announce the appointment of seven new trustees to our board. We know these amazing new trustees will help us deliver our mission to open doors to great storytelling, continuing our work of more than thirty years.

These seven accomplished people will be joining our board, which includes chair Aimee Felon, writer Caleb Azumah Nelson, and arts organiser, photographer and charity fundraiser Alec Leggat.

Images: Top row, left – right: Michael Mann, Calissa Palmer, Kester Brewin.

Bottom row, left – right: Rukhsana Yasmin, James Reeves. No image for Jayne Desmond.

Michael Mann (he/him)

Michael is a writer, teacher and non-profit strategist based in East London. His debut children’s novel Ghostcloud won the East Sussex and Salford Book Awards and was named by Waterstones and BookTrust as one of the best children’s books of the year. As an LGBTQ+ dad of mixed British-Asian heritage, representation in children’s literature is something he cares about deeply – a thread that runs through his fiction, his school visits and his wider work. He is a trained primary school teacher who has taught in Tottenham and East London, and continues to run writing workshops with schools and organisations including Arvon, First Story and the Ministry of Stories. Alongside this, he has spent many years advising non-profits on strategy and revenue generation, working with education organisations to help them become more sustainable and inclusive.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the board of London Writers Centre. Having taught across London, I’ve seen first-hand the writers they reach and the difference they make. As someone who has spent years advising non-profits on strategy and sustainability, I’m also looking forward to contributing behind the scenes. It’s a privilege to support an organisation whose mission I believe in so deeply.”

Calissa Palmer (she/they)

Calissa Palmer is a Governance, Risk, and Compliance professional and writer working across poetry, screenwriting, theatre, and hybrid literary forms. Her work explores grief, Black British identity, memory, emotional survival, and power. She is an Obsidian Foundation Poetry Fellow, a Wild Seeds Writers Retreat alumna at the Center for Black Literature in New York, and a forthcoming resident at the Irish Writers Centre, where she is developing Around the World in 26 Wars: A Poetic Cartography of Conflict. Her poetry and screenwriting have been published and recognised internationally, including in Penumbra: Literary and Art Journal and across major international screenwriting competitions. Alongside her creative practice, she is a Director at Prime Data Compliance, bringing nearly two decades of experience in governance, risk, compliance, and data protection. Her expertise includes board-level governance, regulatory assurance, risk oversight, and information governance, supporting organisations in navigating accountability, compliance frameworks, and complex decision-making environments. Calissa joins the Board of Trustees in 2026, bringing strategic governance expertise and creative insight to support the Centre’s mission to champion writers and expand access to literary opportunity.

“I have long followed the work of Spread the Word, now the London Writers Centre, and deeply value its commitment to supporting writers from underserved communities. Having experienced some of those barriers personally, I am pleased to join the Board and contribute through both governance and insight from my creative practice to strengthening access, opportunity, and support for writers.”

Kester Brewin (he/him)

Kester Brewin is a writer of both fiction and non-fiction, and an Associate Director at the Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW). A secondary school teacher for over twenty years, he now helps lead IFOW’s work exploring the impact of AI and automation technologies on UK workers, with a particular focus on young people, and the creative industries. A graduate of the Curtis Brown Creative novel-writing course, his fiction has been shortlisted for the Bridport Prize and Dinesh Alliraja Prize. His latest non-fiction book is Godlike: a 500-Year History of Artificial Intelligence in Myths, Machines, Monsters. He is part of a fantastic writing group that has met monthly for over six years, and lives in Crystal Palace.

“I’m delighted to be joining the London Writers Centre’s board. I have followed the work of London Writers Centre for many years, and – with my background in teaching in South East London for many years, and in writing – I’m passionate about widening access to writing to all, and supporting writers at this time when great storytelling is needed more than ever.”

Rukhsana Yasmin (she/her)

Rukhsana has worked across publishing, literary organisations and literary agenting. Throughout her career, she has championed underrepresented writers and mentored emerging talent entering a sector where improving diversity and inclusion remains an ongoing challenge.

She has a degree in Physics and is currently working on her first book, and like many writers, occasionally suspects it might be easier to build a particle accelerator.

“I’m delighted and deeply honoured to become a trustee of the London Writers Centre. Throughout my career, I have been committed to championing underrepresented voices and widening access to opportunities within the literary world. I look forward to supporting the Centre’s vital work in nurturing diverse talent, creating inclusive spaces for writers, and ensuring that stories from all communities are heard, valued, and celebrated.”

James Reeves (he/him)

James Reeves is a poet and campaigner from south London. He is the Campaign Manager at the 4 Day Week Foundation, where he leads their advocacy for a four-day, 32 hour working week. His career has spanned fundraising, communications and policy roles in climate, education and employment. James loves meditating, hiking in nature, writing, dancing with friends, and exploring food, arts and cultures of the world, but he’s never happier than when he has a football at his feet.

“I discovered Deptford Literature Festival when my partner was trying to impress me by taking me to interesting talks and cultural events on dates (it worked). I’ve been curious about London Writers Centre since. They curate learning experiences with some of the best writers and thinkers in London and make literature accessible for everyone. These moments are affordable and sometimes free. In a city where we’re squeezed daily, London Writers Centre offers inclusive spaces where what’s in your bank account doesn’t restrict your capacity to learn and explore. I’m excited to peel back the curtain, see what goes on behind the scenes and help the team create memorable moments for people.”

Jayne Desmond (she/her)

Jayne has a PhD in creative writing and is currently working on her first novel. She brings extensive experience in arts and heritage management alongside senior operational leadership in finance, HR and governance. She is co-founder of the Think Tank Operations Network, a cross-sector forum championing access to policy careers for under-represented groups, and co-founder and psychotherapist at Wild Counselling, a practice based in South East London specialising in walk-and-talk therapy.

“London Writers Centre has spent thirty years making space for writers who might otherwise never find their way in, and that work feels more urgent now than ever. I’m delighted to be joining the Board and look forward to contributing to what comes next.”

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