Our Hives
Clara is our leader for the NGO and Charities hive. Originally from the United States she is the Director of Marketing and Communications and a member of the Board of Trustees for REFUGYM, a UK registered charity which delivers exercise, endorphins, and escapism to refugees in Greece. Clara currently resides in Boston, studying Philosophy and Economics at Wellesley College and is passionate about refugee rights, rock climbing, and vegetarian cooking.
Darren is our leader for the LGBT+ hive. Darren is a non-binary activist and creative. They currently volunteer at Pride in London and work as an LGBT+ columnist for a magazine called Frontrunner. In the past, they have worked with activists all around the world and helped run many different queer groups from pride events to activist meet-ups.
Alex is massive rugby nut and has been playing for 7 seasons- 4 of which she has been lucky to play in the Women’s Premiership. Alex started playing rugby in 2013 at Blackheath RFC and in 2016 moved to Richmond RFC to pursue a premiership career. After earning 42 Premiership caps across the front row for Richmond RFC, Alex moved to Saracens in November 2019, where is currently playing in the Development Squad.
Outside of the rugby season, Alex also represents Kent County and outside of rugby, practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Although, not a PT, Alex picked up much through practice and also made loads of friends along the way in various sporty sectors, so can she may not know the answers straight away, but she will be able to find out!
Michael is our leader for the Photography Hive.
Based just outside London, he has been developing skills as a hobbyist portrait and fashion photographer since 2011. After a career-driven hiatus he restarted in earnest in April 2019 under the handle "Mind in the Shutter" (@mindshutterphotos), and has since relished any opportunity to work with other creatives around the country.
Michael works as a solicitor by day, specialising in intellectual property. He also sometimes finds himself working in theatre as an actor and director; last year he played Laurie in a touring production of Little Women, and Romeo in an outdoor production of Romeo & Juliet.
Alice is our leader for the Poetry hive. Born and raised in Watford, England, Alice is extremely passionate about spoken word. Her themes often surround feminity, mental health, body positivity and current affairs. She also replicates this through graphic design. Alice has performed across London and Kent and has won the Lickidy Spit Slam at the Marlowe Theatre and performed alongside Holly McNish and Birdspeed in Kent!
Lorena is a Spanish ‘Señorita’ with a broad international experience. London, Madrid, Prague, Antwerp or Grenoble have been some of her dance floors. Wherever she goes, party follows. Or she follows every party? That´s something we will never know!
Currently based in London, she is living the dream. Having blended her own London dry gin, she is a Ginstitute graduate. Spanish wine runs through her veins and she also loves tasting local specialties.
Always quality over quantity, so let´s share some quality time at the Drinks & Parties Hive!
Music
Kamran is our music hive leader. Originally from a small town in Hampshire, he moved to London two years ago to pursue his musical ambitions in the big smoke. He is a devoted singer, songwriter and performing artist who uses his music as a means of storytelling - expressing love, heartbreak, individuality and vulnerability in pop-sized chunks.
Kamran currently lives in Clapham, South London. His other interests include classic films and literature, Victorian architecture, modern art and fancy coffee.
Food
Owen is our leader for the Food Hive. He was born in Malta and since 2015 he has been living, cooking and eating in Paris. Owen’s passion for food started at a very young age and it was strengthened when he started to travel and discover different tastes from all over the world. Owen loves finding new recipes, trying them and sharing food with anyone who is hungry. For Owen, food does not only feed us when we are hungry, but it serves as a tool to bring us together, share our culture and create memories.
Art
María José is the leader of the Art Hive. Born and raised in Colombia, she finds inspiration in the ethnic and cultural diversity that surrounds her. She knew her life belonged to the arts and design from a young age. She studied Design and for the last two years, she has been developing her career as an illustrator.
Her work is mainly inspired by women, movies, pop culture and her life. She shares her personal projects on Instagram (@maria.jose.guzman). You can find her watching indie films, painting or studying artists she likes in her spare time.
Meet Our Hive Members
Angela
Food Hive
Professional background - PhD student and Strength &Conditioning Coach
Favourite food - Sushi
Favourite drink - Amarone, Gimlet, or a nice Vietnamese egg coffee
Location - From the US but living in NW London
Michael
Food Hive
Professional background- Sales rep
Favourite food: that's a tough one, I'd say Italian, french and Thai food; can't pick one dish.
Favourite drink: whisky
Location: South Croydon
Michael
Food Hive
Professional background: Real Estate Developer
Favourite food: Sushi
Favourite beverage: Beer
Location: San Francisco, USA
Sydney
Poetry Hive
Professional background - Poet and teacher in training
Favourite poet - Rudy Francisco
Favourite poem - Ah my dear by Baki
Location - Born in Sierra Leone during the civil war and later moved to the UK
Louis
Poetry Hive
Professional background - Poet
Favourite poet - Warsan Shire
Favourite poem - Truth is not the secret of a few by Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Location - Manchester
Tala
Poetry Hive
Professional background - Editor & Content Manager for a music website researching the history behind music
Favourite poets: Khalil Gibran and Audre Lorde
Favourite poem: "beasts bounding through time" by Charles Bukowski!
Location - Currently Devon, soon Manchester!
Frederike
Sports & Yoga Hive
Location: Germany
Sport: horseback riding
How did it all start? - When I was 9, I Fell in love with horses and this love is still strong 💕
Team you support: all horse(wo)men who handle their horses with respect
Favourite sport to watch: Yoga instructions on YouTube
Artist that pumps you: Lady gaga
Biggest sporting/fitness achievement: straightening my body with the help of yoga
Babs
Sports & Yoga Hive
Location: London
Sport: Football
How did it all start? - I've played since I was young
Team you support: Arsenal (of course!)
Favourite sport to watch: Football
Artist that pumps you: Travis Greene (Christian artist)
Biggest sporting/fitness achievement: Trophies with my football team when I was young
Mark
Sports & Yoga Hive
Location: Bayreuth, Germany
Sport: Rugby, Jiu-Jitsu, Gym
How did it all start? Nolli Watermans‘ insane try vs. the US
Team you support: Saracens Women, FC St. Pauli, Warrington Wolves
Favourite sport to watch: MMA and Rugby
Artist that pumps you: “Scream Aim Fire” by Bullet for my Valentine
Biggest sporting/fitness achievement: runner-up in a Jiu-Jitsu contest for beginner
Arj Sharma
Drinks & Parties. Hive
Favourite drink: Fanta
Favourite party venue: London and any
Hobbies and interests: Spirituality and Nature
Location: London
Elena Brooking
Drinks & Parties. Hive
Favourite drink: G&T
Favourite party venue: Venue doesn't matter
Hobbies and interests: Music, Fashion and Art
Location: London