Split image of two headshots. On the left, Ifeoma Jibunoh, a Black woman with long, straight brown hair, wearing a blue top and a gold necklace, smiling at the camera. On the right, Aurélie Chan Hon Sen, a young woman of Asian heritage with chin-length straight black hair, glasses, small silver hoop earrings, a white T-shirt and beige shirt jacket, also smiling. Both have blurred backgrounds.

Be United Welcomes New Chair of Trustees and Board Secretary 

ByMonika Navickaitė

Be United is delighted to announce two key appointments to its Board of Trustees: Ifeoma Jibunoh joins as Chair of Trustees, and Aurélie Chan Hon Sen takes on the role of Board Secretary. 

These appointments mark an exciting new chapter for the Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding Programme-supported organisation, reinforcing Be United’s commitment to strong governance, strategic leadership, and its mission to advocate for, nurture, and champion Black people working in Scotland’s performing arts, screen, and cultural events sectors. 

Ifeoma Jibunoh brings more than 20 years of experience spanning marketing, communications, FMCG, payments, and technology. She currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Cassava Technologies, where she leads global marketing across a portfolio that includes connectivity, cloud services, cybersecurity, and AI. Her career includes senior roles at Mastercard and Heineken, directing strategy across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and winning several accolades, including a Cannes Lions award. She is also a Trustee of Be the Business (UK) and Didi Museum (Nigeria), and a Fellow of The Marketing Academy.  

Reflecting on her appointment, Ifeoma Jibunoh shared:

‘I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Be United.  In my professional career as a Chief Marketing Officer, I have seen how storytelling and creativity can drive powerful engagement, shift perceptions and create lasting impact. Alongside this, in a personal capacity, I have had the privilege of working with black artists in Nigeria as a Trustee of Didi Museum, supporting and championing creative expression as a force for cultural exchange and social connection. I am excited to work closely with Emma Sithole and the incredible team at Be United to advance the mission of celebrating diversity through the arts.  As we enter this new exciting chapter, I am committed to amplifying talent and creativity that shapes a more vibrant, inclusive cultural landscape.’ 

Be United is equally proud to welcome Aurélie Chan Hon Sen as Board Secretary. A Mauritian arts professional and graphic designer, Aurélie works in Media and Communications across both the creative and financial sectors in Scotland and the wider UK. With a background in communications, design, and community arts, her creative practice explores themes of diaspora, identity, and memory through illustration, woodwork, and writing. Her work has been featured in Glasgow International Festival of Contemporary Art (2024) and published in The Yellow Paper, Tar Press Journal, and the forthcoming anthology A Social Process of Unknowing Yourself in Real Time (2025). She also serves on the committee of SaltSpace Cooperative, supporting local artists through shared studio resources and programming. 

‘Joining Be United’s Board as Secretary feels like a full-circle moment. I first came to Be United through the Producing the Future programme, then worked on the operational team, and now I’m on the Board. Each stage has deepened my connection to the creative sector and helped me grow in new ways. Being on the Board gives me the chance to learn how creative organisations run and contribute to shaping the kind of support that young creatives like myself need,’ reflected Aurélie.  

These appointments bring significant expertise to Be United’s Board, strengthening the organisation’s leadership even further and positioning it to continue driving its mission to empower Black artists and professionals by providing meaningful opportunities, platforms, and clear pathways into and up within the creative industries. 

Be United is supported by Creative Scotland through its Multi-Year Funding programme, alongside Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, which also contributes to our work. The Robertson Trust specifically supports our Producing the Future programme. Be United would like to extend its gratitude to Women on Boards UK for their invaluable support throughout the recruitment process for the Chair of Trustees. 

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