Empowering Communities
Promoting cultural understanding and social inclusion among British-Iranians and the wider community in the UK.
About Our Organisation
The British Iranian Association aims to empower the Iranian diaspora in the UK through education, cultural understanding, and community engagement. Our programs foster inclusivity and participation.
Celebrating and preserving Iranian culture through events and activities that foster community cohesion and awareness.
Delivering programs that enhance knowledge, skills, and civic engagement for the benefit of all community members.
Ellie Borhan
Founder and Director
Ellie Borhan is a technology expert, Iranian women’s rights and political activist, and founder of Stage of Freedom.
With a background in Computer Science and extensive experience in the technology sector, her work sits at the intersection of technology, politics and civil society. She advocates for women’s rights, human rights and democratic values in Iran, with a particular interest in how digital technology shapes political participation, authoritarian power and democratic resistance
Dr Venus Shahpari
Operation director
Dr Venus Shahpari is a biotechnology entrepreneur and geneticist with a PhD in Genetics & Bioinformatics from Middlesex University.
As co-founder and managing director of ventures including MAP Diagnostics and Biolab London, she has secured seed funding, built scalable diagnostic operations, and led multidisciplinary teams through complex regulatory and clinical landscapes.
Her scientific contributions include pioneering diagnostic methods using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, notably in Down syndrome screening, alongside collaborative research in water quality and microbial public health surveillance. She combines expertise in biomedical modelling, data analysis, and laboratory governance to tackle challenges at the intersection of biotechnology and environmental health.
Bita Heffernan
PR Manager
Bita Heffernan is a public speaker and executive search professional with a background in psychology. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
Over ten years’ experience across the UK’s financial services, charity and not-for-profit sectors.
Bita is an advocate for a free and democratic Iran, contributing to public communications, media relations, and political and parliamentary engagement in the UK.
Sahar Samirad
Program Manager
Sahar Samirad is a data and communications professional with a background in health data science, technology and business leadership.
Sahar is an advocate for a free and democratic Iran, contributing to campaign strategy, political communications, news and digital content, media engagement and public advocacy.
Rafigheh Perseh
Accounting Manager
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤRafigheh Perseh is an accountant and financial adviser with 25 years of experience. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
Having managed her own London-based accountancy firm for the last 15 years, she possesses a wealth of expertise spanning personal, corporate, and international financial sectors. This is further enhanced by her fluency in four languages: French, English, Turkish, and Persian.
Alongside her established financial career, Rafigheh has led successful residential property development projects, adding further breadth to her portfolio. She is also deeply committed to philanthropy, regularly supporting charities dedicated to cancer research and helping the homeless. A passionate advocate for women’s rights, she takes an active role as an activist defending civil liberties in Iran.
Omid Rahmani
Marketing Manager
Omid Rahmani is a creative, commercially minded Marketing Manager with 15+ years of experience in B2B and B2C. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
Proven track record of transforming traditional businesses into modern, digitally-enabled brands. Combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution across CRM, content, and full-stack marketing operations.
Our Vision
Our Mission
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