Integrating Community, Championing Human Rights
From analyzing political developments to promoting education and culture, we amplify the community's voice and strengthen connections across Iran and Britain.
About Our Organisation
The British Iranian Association is a cultural and democratic forum bringing together British Iranians and friends of Iran to promote education, culture, civic engagement, and community cohesion in the UK. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤWe advocate for a free, democratic, and pluralistic Iran, while raising awareness in Britain about the aspirations and concerns of the Iranian people. We believe that engagement in the UK matters because Britain is home to a diverse and vibrant Iranian community and plays an important role in international discussions concerning Iran. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤThrough cultural programmes, educational initiatives, public dialogue, and civic participation, we seek to build a united, informed, and engaged Iranian community in the UK, while supporting the principles of freedom, democracy, human rights, and peaceful political participation.
Ellie Borhan
Founder, CEO and Policy Director
Ellie Borhan is a technology expert, Iranian women’s rights and political activist, and founder of Stage of Freedom.
She is currently studying International Relations and Politics. 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
Media and Communications 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 & Strategy 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
Finance 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
To build an empowered, inclusive British-Iranian community rooted in democratic values, cultural pride, and active civic participation, where human rights and open dialogue thrive.
Our Mission
To champion the British-Iranian community through impactful cultural, educational, and advocacy initiatives that promote media literacy, foster cross-cultural understanding, and raise awareness on critical human rights and social issues.
Governing Principles
- Iran's territorial integrity;
- Protection of individual liberties and equality of all citizens;
- Separation of religion and state; and
- Iranian people's right to determine the future democratic form of their government.
