Yvette Griffith

Yvette is Chief Exec of award winning not-for-profit Jazz re:freshed, for whom she secured Arts Council England, National Portfolio Organisation status in 2015.

Founding member of both GiveBLACK and Black Funding Network, Yvette is working with formidable individuals to drive forward initiatives galvanising Philanthropy for Black founded & led not-for-profit organisations who work to improve the quality of life for Black people in the UK.

Yvette’s career has spanned over 30 years and includes working in some of London’s best known and loved Theatres. Yvette has also had extensive events experience with The Tussauds Group (now Merlin Entertainment), including as Head of Events on the project team for The London Eye in 1999. Segwaying into pharmaceutical events, as VP of Global Operations, within 3 years, Yvette grew MD Events from a 5 person operation to a 50 person operation including setting up a North America Division.

Yvette began as a consultant for Jazz re:freshed in 2013 securing Arts Council England National Portfolio status in 2015. Yvette then joined the co-founders as Co-Chief Exec and Executive Director and has worked to grow the business, including launching a game changing international initiative, JAZZ RE:FRESHED OUTERNATIONAL which put a global spotlight onto the young and diverse talent on the frontline of UK Jazz .

Over the years, Yvette has also secured over £2,000,000 funding for diverse clients within the arts.

For her work in contributing to changing the trajectory and profile of British Jazz, Yvette was awarded the H100 Award for Services to Music in 2019 and an OBE for services to cultural philanthropy & to music in the 2024 New Years Honours.