About Us

Erin Gavaghan is an experienced executive arts manager who has worked within both new writing theatre and contemporary dance and choreography.

Erin comes to Clean Break from Siobhan Davies Dance, an artist-led interdisciplinary, contemporary arts organisation based in south London which advances the art-forms of dance and choreography. At Siobhan Davies Dance she held several roles, most recently as Executive Director (from 2014). Prior to working for Siobhan Davies Dance, she was the General Manager of Soho Theatre (2008-2012), having also followed a path of progression from Front of House Manager (2005-2007) and Deputy General Manager (2007-2008). Since moving to London from Canada in 2000, Erin has also worked at the Royal Albert Hall as the Stewards Administrator and Natural History Museum managing catering services.

Her experience has seen her manage mid-scale capital projects, implement organisational change, and lead income generation initiatives.

Erin’s voluntary work includes mentoring and serving as a Trustee for Deafinitely Theatre since 2012.

Erin studied English Literature and Theatre (Directing) at the University of Victoria (Canada) and attained an MA in Arts Policy and Management from Birkbeck in 2005. She has a passion for life-long learning.

Anna Herrmann has been working in the field of theatre and social change for twenty seven years, specialising in theatre and education with marginalised groups in the UK and abroad. She has been with Clean Break since 2002 as the Head of Education, leading the company’s award winning work with women in the criminal justice system and women at risk of entering it. Anna is co-author of Making a Leap: Theatre of Empowerment: A Practical Handbook for Creative Drama Work with Young People (Jessica Kingsley Publishers). She has an MA in Arts Education from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and a PG Cert (Distinction) in Race and Ethnic relations. She is a regular visiting lecturer on Applied Theatre courses at Universities across the Country and between 2006 and 2018 was a trustee of Leap Confronting Conflict; a UK based national charity specialising in youth and conflict. Anna sits on the Steering Group of the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance and is also a trained coach and regularly mentors artists in participatory settings. 

Róisín McBrinn is a theatre director with over fifteen years experience working in the UK, Ireland and internationally. She has been with Clean Break since 2016 as the Head of Artistic Programme and during that time has directed Joanne (Soho Theatre and RSC) and House/Amongst The Reeds (Yard Theatre) for the company. She was formerly Associate Director at Sherman Cymru where she oversaw the commissioning and developing of new Welsh writing. Róisín has directed for the Donmar Warehouse (Noveccento), Sheffield Theatres (Afterplay), West Yorkshire Playhouse (Yerma), Prime Cut (Villa/Discurso), The Abbey Theatre (No Escape, Perve, Heartbreak House). She has developed new work for Soho Theatre, The National Theatre, The Bush, The Abbey and Sherman Theatre. This summer she is directing a stage adaptation of Roddy Doyle's The Snapper for Dublin's Gate Theatre.

Sabba works in the banking sector and has a particular interest in diversity and inclusion in finance. She currently holds the role of Senior Vice President for EMEA Tax Business Advisory at Citi.

Deborah Coles is Director of INQUEST and leads its strategic policy and legal work. She has considerable expertise of working to prevent the deaths and ill treatment of people in all forms of detention, and for more effective learning and accountability. She is consulted by government, parliamentarians, and other stakeholders at a national and international level. She is a regular media commentator and has advised on radio and TV documentaries and theatre productions. She is also a member of the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody and a trustee of the Emma Humphreys Memorial Prize.

Doreen is the Director of Warwick Arts Centre. She is a Clore Fellow and an accredited coach (Performance Coach Training Ltd & Relational Dynamics 2009), and has over 20 years senior leadership experience gained working in the cultural and community development sectors.

Alison is an advocate for the transforming value of the arts in the criminal justice system, and writes on arts, health, and justice in the scientific, medical and general press. She is currently Chair of the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance, a trustee of Clinks and a member of the Transforming Lives Advisory Board, Prison Reform Trust. She is a visiting professor in the Department of Criminology and Sociology at Royal Holloway and a public health lead researcher on a probation based mental health study at UCL. Throughout her career, Alison has fought for women’s rights and held lead roles in public health working to tackle health inequalities. She’s been a senior leader in the voluntary and public sector, with positions including: Chief Officer at the Brook Advisory Centres; Director of Public Health in Bristol and in North Hampshire; Head of Public Health in NHS England (London).

Despina Tsatsas is a theatre producer with experience in both the charitable and commercial theatre sectors and is currently Executive Director of the Young Vic. She is a Clore Fellow, a trustee of The Laura Case Trust and was a volunteer at Holloway Women's Prison until its closure. 

Tanya has a wealth of experience working within the criminal justice and women's sector, having worked at Nacro, Women in Prison, Startup, User Voice and Nia with women experiencing domestic and sexual violence and using substances problematically. Currently, Tanya is working as a Recovery Practitioner for Young People at Cranstoun.