Meet the Tribe

Tana ADKIN KC

Tana has been a barrister for more than 30 years and is a dedicated advocate practising from 15NBS Chambers, which is located in the Ward. She led the Criminal Bar as Chair of the Criminal Bar Association between 2023 and 2024. She was a secondary school governor for 15 years and has been involved in Scouting for 17 years. When not in court or visiting places in the Ward, Tana enjoys a park run, watching rugby and supporting GB water polo.

Beth COOMBS

Beth is a journalist who was born in London and has lived in the Ward for nearly 20 years. Outside her day job, she can be found honing her barista skills, being taken for long walks in the Ward by her miniature schnauzer, Gracie, and on tours of medieval churches by her partner. She also spends time drawing and painting and is working towards becoming a mental health champion.

Sue FARRINGTON

Sue is CEO of the charity, Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK (SRUK), which is based in the Ward. She is currently President
of the Federation of European Scleroderma Associations, and Chair of both the Patient Information Forum and RAIRDA (Rare Autoimmune Rhematic Disease Alliance). When she is not busy professionally or helping out in the Ward she enjoys weight training, rowing and travelling.

Josephine HAYES

Jo is a barrister and has been practising for more than 23 years from Gough Square Chambers, which are located in the Ward. She was a founding member of the Association of Women Barristers, a Secretary of her residents’ association and a borough councillor. In her spare time when not in the Ward, Jo enjoys reading widely and discussing current affairs. She sees mitigating the urban heat island effect in the City of London as a key local objective.

Helen LADELE

Helen works as a security officer at JP Morgan, a large corporate in the Ward. When not helping out in the Ward, she is a committed philanthropist, supporting a variety of charities, including a North London organisation supporting individuals with autism and learning disabilities, where she volunteers. Helen also recently raised a substantial amount of money for the homeless by organising a SleepOut fundraising event.

Vasiliki MANTA

Vaso is the practice manager at The Eye Place, an optician in the Ward. She was awarded a Bachelor's degree in Optics from the TEI of Athens (now University of West Attica) in Greece and registered with the General Optical Council as a dispensing optician when she moved to the UK. Vaso is also a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers. When not at work or helping out in the Ward, Vaso enjoys exercising, socialising with friends and travelling.

Leyla OSTOVAR

Leyla is the managing director and global editor of Bond Radar, which is a primary markets newswire and data service based in the Ward. Leyla's community interests include volunteering with several refugee charities, as well as a focus on local policing issues. When she is not working or being active in the Ward, Leyla enjoys running and playing the piano.

Stephanie STEEDEN

Steph is head office manager at a private healthcare company, which is based in the Ward. Working closely with the executive team, she holds internal conferences and deals with the day-to-day needs both of colleagues and visitors to the office. In her spare time, Steph enjoys all aspects of photography and likes to catch up with friends over cocktails or a meal.