BRISTOL CHARITIES - Key Persons
Andy has been active in social housing for over 40 years, with the main focus of his experience on the management and development of supported housing for a range of client groups including older people. In recent years he has worked as an interim manager and consultant based in Bristol. In addition to being a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Housing, he has an MSC in Housing.
Job Titles:
- Head of Community Development
Charity joined the team in September 2020, and is Head of Community Development. She has worked across numerous sectors such as the NHS, Finance, IT and Construction. She is a Prince2 qualified, green belt Lean Six Sigma trained project manager. She is devoted to driving change forward, and has an unquenchable optimism and vision of a better future. Charity is ebullient, and all about having fun, which is the pillar to how she lives her life. She is passionate about childhood enrichment, reducing isolation, and community. Charity agrees that "Having fun is not a diversion from a successful life, it is the pathway to it".
Claire joined Bristol Charities in February 2020 as a Grants and Finance Administrator. As the organisation has grown, her role has changed, and since November 2022 she has worked as Finance Officer. Claire has over 20 years of experience in the Finance sector, and works with Paul Smith on the day to day administration. She is passionate about working for an organisation that brings positive change to the community of Bristol. In her spare time, Claire likes to play board games and go out to the theatre.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Housing Team
- Support Coordinator
Eileen has now been working in the Housing Sector for 29 years. She previously managed supported accommodation for people with substances issues, struggling with mental health, and experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Eileen has now been with Bristol Charities for 2 years as a Support Coordinator, based at both Barstaple and John Fosters House in North Bristol.
Job Titles:
- Grants & Centre Administration Officer
Hannah joined Bristol Charities in November 2022, initially as a Project Support Officer to help facilitate the charity's move from central Bristol to the Vassall Centre. She is now both Grants Officer for Bristol Charities and Centre Administration Officer for the Vassall Centre. Hannah initially trained as a teacher at the University of the West of England and went on to work in primary education across Bristol. During a career break while her children were young, she set up a business making children's clothes and accessories, and still enjoys sewing in her spare time.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Housing Team
- Support Coordinator at Cwrt William Jones
Helen works as a Support Coordinator at Cwrt William Jones almshouse in Monmouth, Wales. Helen has worked in older peoples' housing services since 2006; she worked for a Local Authority, a Housing Association and privately owned retirement developments. Her work has been in supporting people to live as independently as possible, and in facilities management. Helen has her own jewellery business, and is very engaged with her local community as chair of the local Village Hall committee and the Wye Valley Craft Association. She is also on the village fete committee, memorial green management committee, and is secretary for the local Church Lads' and Church Girls Brigade.
Ian qualified as a solicitor in 1981 and has practised from that date in Bristol for clients across the country. Since 1988, Ian has worked for one firm which by merger and acquisition is now one of the largest 35 law firms in the country Womble Bond Dickinson and over his career has acted for a wide range of clients and in a wide range of types of property work. Ian has only recently retired.
Julian joined Bristol Charities in May 2022 following five years as CEO of FareShare Southwest where he led the surplus food charity through a period of rapid growth and diversification. Prior to this, Julian has held several senior leadership roles in the Public and Voluntary Sectors, including for one of the largest Multi-Academy Trusts, a children's cancer charity, CEO of a re-use social enterprise, and work for the Department for Education. Julian also set up, developed and sold his own business, following several years in education, as an Adviser and lecturing Economics and Marketing in Further Education. Julian is a Trustee of Feeding Bristol.
Keith was previously part of the Senior Management Team at the University of the West of England for nearly 20 years alongside other roles in the education sector, including Governor of the local Further Education College. Prior to that he held senior marketing positions in Lloyds TSB and the Prudential. He is also a Trustee of the SOFA Project charity.
Laura is dedicated to raising awareness around mental health, and reducing the stigma that surrounds it. Since joining Bristol Charities in November 2022, she has implemented a Wellbeing Strategy, and is now Wellbeing Lead. She can usually be found helping her colleagues with queries, organising work or social events, and carrying out vital HR tasks. Her long-term goal is to found a mental health charity that can provide both one-off and long-term support for individuals in need. Laura enjoys singing & music, solo travelling, and swimming (or more likely floating) in the ocean!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Housing Team
- Community Development Officer & Support Coordinator
Lyndsey has a dual role, working as a Support Coordinator for our Haberfield scheme, and as Community Development Officer for the surrounding area of Stockwood. Prior to Bristol Charities, she worked as an Independent Mental Health Advocate and in various care roles, and also has experience in activities and events. Her passion for improving and raising awareness on mental health issues and social equality is one of the major driving factors that has led her to work for us. Her interests include travel, photography, reading, live music and most things creative.
Mary served as Lord-Lieutenant for Bristol from 2007 to 2017. Her business career was primarily as Sales and Marketing Director of Alexandra plc. Until recently she ran a beef farm in partnership with her husband. Mary is currently a Director/Trustee of Valencia Communities Fund and a past Pro-Chancellor of the University of Bristol, as well as a past President of the Royal Bath and West Agricultural Society. She has held a number of Trusteeships and continues to support a range of local organisations as Patron or President.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Housing Team
- Support Coordinator
Mel works part time at Haberfield House alongside Lyndsey. She has worked for Bristol Charities since 2022.
Job Titles:
- Investment Director at Rathbone Investment Management
- Trustee ( Chair of Investment Management Subcommittee ) Chartered FCSI
Nolan is an Investment Director at Rathbone Investment Management where he manages portfolios for private clients, trusts, pensions, companies and charities since 2001 after three years in a similar role at Greig Middleton. Nolan is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI); where he is also past president of the CISI Bristol, Bath & South Wales Branch Committee. Outside of work Nolan is a member of MENSA. His interests include cricket, films, music, hiking, travel and food.
Olivia is an Architect and Planner with more than 30 years experience of housing, urban design and the conservation of listed buildings. She began her career as a sociologist working with homeless families and after qualifying as an architect spent a number of years working with tenants on refurbishment and redevelopment of former local authority estates in London. Subsequently, in a planning role, she worked with a wide range of stakeholders on small and large scale developments across England.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Accountant
- Director of Finance & Operations MSci
Paul is a Chartered Accountant and has been Finance Director of Bristol Charities since joining in July 2020. Prior to this Paul has held a number of finance leadership and management roles within not-for-profit organisations, including Finance Manager for a large ecclesiastical charity and Chief Financial Officer for a South West-based education trust. Paul initially qualified in accountancy practice, specialising in educational and charitable organisations, and has since also undertaken a number of non-executive roles, including trustee of a local charity and governor of his local primary school.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Psychologist
- Trustee MA, MSc, CPsychol, AFBPSs
Rachel is a Clinical Psychologist and a qualified Coach. She has worked locally within the NHS for more than 35 years where she was ultimately responsible for establishing and managing a team of psychologists delivering care within the acute medical setting of one of Bristol's large hospital trusts. Since retiring in 2017 she has continued to work as a psychologist focusing on staff well-being initiatives, coaching and supervision. She has also gained experience working as a school governor within a Multi-Academy Trust.
Robert has been Chairman of John Perkins Construction Limited for the past three years, and prior to this was their Managing Director for twenty eight years. In his role as Chairman, he has focused on the long-term resilience and well-being of the Business to make sure they are strategic in planning and continually improving. Robert is a family man who has lived and worked in Bristol all his life, and is keen to help support everyone at Bristol Charities continue and improve the amazing work that they do.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Housing Team
- Housing Officer
Stuart has over 25 years experience of working for local authority and housing associations, in tenancy management and finance roles, before joining Bristol Charities in 2022. Stuart has a professional housing qualification, and began working in the sector after noting the positive difference that the housing officer could make to residents' quality of life. He believes that housing is more than bricks and mortar and is about helping people to overcome problems and enjoy their time with us. Stuart enjoys walks in the countryside, and has a lifelong passion for cinema, particularly film noir and 20th century British cinema.
Zoe's passion lies in bringing people together. For her day job as Community Centre Manager, that might look like a networking event for charities working within the Vassall Centre, or getting the community together to hold events that foster connection and conversation. Outside of work, she'll be rounding people up to attend cultural events the South West has to offer. Zoe says "the world is a wonderful place, but we don't hear much about that at the moment! My aim is to contribute more good news stories into the fold and give something positive back."