Our Board Members
GATE Essex's board of trustees consists almost entirely of members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community.
SHERRIE SMITH
founder
Sherrie Smith is a traditional Romany Gypsy from Hertfordshire. Despite leaving school early, she has had a successful career as a businesswoman and a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller rights activist. In 2019, she graduated from higher education, gaining her bachelors degree in social science, community development and youth work from Goldsmiths University in London. GATE Essex is the brainchild of Sherrie, established in 2019 and aimed at breaking down barriers for GRT in all areas. She is also the co-founder of national charity Drive2Survive, which challenges racial inequalities and helps to build strength both within and of the community.
SALLY BARTER
education specialist
A proud Romany Gypsy from Buckinghamshire, Sally Barter has been working in various roles of Traveller education for the last 25 years. Sally represents Gypsies and Travellers on a range of educational, health and community cohesion platforms, ensuring that they have a visible profile and an authentic voice.
JAKE BOWERS
trustee
Jake Bowers is a Romany journalist, producer, media teacher and filmmaker with over two decades of experience in the media. Jake set up his own successful production company, ‘the Gypsy Media Company Ltd.’ in 2007. Jake lives in Sussex with his family, but travels across the country creating media and capturing footage for his work.
JERRY CASH,
co-chair
Jeremiah Cash is a proud member of the Irish Traveller community and co-chair of the GATE Essex board. He is from Hertfordshire. Jerry is a very vocal activist, focusing specifically on promoting the LGBTQ+ members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community and men’s physical and mental health amongst GRT. Jerry studied a T-tech course in brickwork, electrics and plumbing several years ago, and since then has gone on to educate himself in the customer service industry.
CHARMAINE NEWCOMBE
chair
Charmaine Newcombe was brought up in a close knit community housing surrounded by her mother’s extended Romany family, however her father is of Showman heritage. At 16, she left school with no qualifications and at 19 she started a family. However Charmaine returned to education and graduated with a BA in social work from Goldsmiths University in London. She is currently working as a social worker in Hertfordshire.
PROFESSOR EMIRITUS RAINER SCHULZ
trustee
Rainer Schulze is Professor Emeritus of Modern European History at the University of Essex. His research and teaching interests include the Holocaust, esp. the non-Jewish victims of Nazi persecution; genocides; Gypsy Roma Traveller history, and LGBTQ+ history. In 2000-2007 he was one of the project leaders involved in preparing a new permanent exhibition at the Gedenkstätte Bergen-Belsen and a member of their international advisory board. He has worked as a historical consultant for Holocaust/Bergen-Belsen related exhibitions and documentary films. From 2017 to 2019 he programmed and presented the weekly film programme Tales from the Margins with films about LGBTIQ rights and the situation of LGBTIQ people across the world, shown on Latest TV Brighton which included the ground breaking Czeck film Roma Boys. From 2007 to 2016 he coordinated the annual Holocaust Memorial Week at the University of Essex, and in 2012 he initiated the Dora Love Prize for schools in Essex and Suffolk and beyond which is now running in its 12th year.
BRINLEY CLARK
trustee
Brinley Clark is of both Showman and Romany Gypsy descent, based in Hertfordshire. Working as a graphic designer, he has been heaped in awards and is currently working alongside big name, household brands. Brinley is passionate about giving GRT an equal opportunity and level playing field to achieve their best in anything and everything.