Shaheen formed her own company in 2002 after assisting some of the world’s leading casting directors. Working across film and television, Shaheen has cast award winning work with new and established directors. A trustee for Open Door, a non-profit organisation that helps young people access drama schools and co-founder of the Casting Assistant Certificate course with the National Film & Television School, she works to encourage and support a more inclusive industry. In 2023, Shaheen was awarded the Royal Television Society's 'Baird Medal', for an outstanding contribution to Television and representation for the West Midlands.
Shaheen is a member of BAFTA, Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences, Casting Directors Guild and Casting Society of America.
Shaheen started work in film production as a producers assistant and then made the move into casting. She has a huge passion for art, photography, music and film and is always on the lookout for new ways to work and challenge herself and the team. Shaheen is very proud to hail from Birmingham and now divides her time between Brighton and London (with regular trips to Spaghetti Junction).
Gabby has worked in Shaheen’s office since 2016 after graduating from The School of Art, University of Brighton. She now resides in South East London.
Connor graduated from the NFTS Casting Course in 2021 and moved to London from Liverpool to begin work with SBC. Prior to this he studied for three years at drama school and worked in youth theatre.
Following a drama degree, a yearning to act and a number of jobs that are frankly best forgotten; Naomi began her career in casting and loved every minute of it. She then had a child and for practical reasons retrained as a teacher. The teaching was great but the yearning to be back in casting was greater. And so SHE IS BACK. Loving every minute of it and feeling now that she can legitimately look at IMDB!
As well as an appreciation of a good film and an interesting box set, Naomi loves seeing friends, eating lots of food, the sea and dancing (occasionally on a table).
Emma Jane made the move to London from Tipperary (it's a long way), Ireland with the mission of working in the film and TV industry. After a lot of side jobs, she is delighted to have finally landed in the SBC team. She has a degree in drama and a podcast about failure. She is a firm believer in keeping an open mind, but will not bend on her passions for travel and Beyoncé.
Layla has worked at SBC since 2010 after studying English/ Film & Theatre at the University of York. Following some experience working in various parts of the TV & Film industry, she found herself happiest at the beginning of the process, in casting. There are too many SBC highlights to mention but the time Mandy Patinkin called the office is pretty high up.