Ali de Souza is an educator, actor-trainer and theatre and screen director from Coupar Angus, Perthshire via Santos, Brazil where his mother was born and raised.

Before joining the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama as Head of Drama (Performance), Ali was the Director of Drama at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School from 2022. He holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in psychology (University of Dundee), acting (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School) and screen directing (Queen Margaret University). He has worked extensively as an actor and director in both theatre and film for over 35 years with many companies throughout the UK. He taught acting and directing at Queen Margaret University for six years and became Programme Leader for BA Acting there before joining the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland as Associate Head of Acting in 2008.