GARFIELD WESTON FOUNDATION - Key Persons
Alannah Weston is granddaughter of the founder and her career in luxury retail spans two decades; firstly as Creative Director of Selfridges department store and more recently as Chairman of Selfridges Group. She is Chair of the Galen & Hilary Weston Foundation in the UK which funds medical research into the neurological diseases of aging. In addition to running her own family office which has a focus on sustainability, she is an active non-executive director on several family foundations and Boards in Canada and the UK.
Clare leads a portfolio of projects for the Foundation including commissioning key research, applicant surveys, writing our annual report and creating great case studies with our partners. Prior to the Foundation, Clare was a fundraising consultant with over 20 years in the voluntary sector advising a wide range of charities across the heritage, arts, welfare, youth and health sectors. Clare volunteers as Chair of her county's library advisory board and is also certified Health and Life Coach and loves being by the coast with her dog.
David is our visual guardian! He designs all our online, printed and social media content and has worked with us for many years. David prefers to work with socially minded organisations. We admire that David donates a percentage of his profits to charity. David volunteers for a local environmental charity and is president of a national sporting association.
Eliza is a granddaughter of the Founder and studied History at the University of William and Mary in Virginia. She has had a broad ranging career including law and teaching and she has travelled extensively. Eliza has lived in the UK and currently lives in British Columbia where she farms; she is also involved in the separate family foundation in Canada.
Flora works closely with the Trustees providing leadership and oversight to the Foundation's grant-making, especially Major Grants. She has led projects including the £30 million Weston Culture Fund and works with the Art Fund on the Weston Loan Programme. Previously, Flora had over 20 years' experience working in arts organisations, managing capital projects and providing fundraising consultancy to a range of charities. Flora volunteers with the Cranfield Trust and loves cooking, gardening and is trying to love running.
A grandson of Garfield Weston, Geordie graduated from Dalhouise University in Canada before starting his career in property development with Loblaw Companies Ltd. He is currently the president of a private real estate investment firm based in Toronto and chairs the committee for philanthropy in Canada's Arctic and North at the Weston Family Foundation in Canada. He is an avid outdoorsman, bush pilot and environmentalist.
George studied at Oxford and has an MBA from Harvard. He has been Chief Executive of Associated British Foods (ABF) since 2005 and has been a member of the ABF Board since 1999. George's previous roles have included Managing Director of Westmill Foods, Allied Bakeries and George Weston Foods Ltd (Australia). George is a grandson of Garfield Weston.
Gill provides vital administrative and logistical support, especially in relation to supporting those applying for our Major Grants programme and preparing for Trustee Meetings, along with other key areas of the Foundation's work. She brings valuable skills developed across a range of roles including as a community centre manager and copywriter and as office manager in an architects' practice. Gill is a native Londoner and keen fan of theatre, live music and reading.
Harriet is responsible for assessing applications that apply for our regular grants programme, enjoys learning more about the work we support and regularly liaises with our trustees. She has led on Environment projects including the Prioritising our Planet Report, and the Weston Communicating Climate programme. Previously, Harriet had over 15 years as a fundraiser and relationship builder for art galleries, The Prince's Trust and the Natural History Museum. She has a passion for the natural world and loves to sing in her local Soul Choir.
Hussain ensures that our systems and processes are highly efficient and effective. With experience across both commercial and charitable organisations, Hussain has over 20 years' expertise in management consultancy and senior IT roles. Hussain fundraises for local and international charities and takes a keen interest in humanitarian affairs. He can often be found running, particularly after his two young children!
Jana studied History at Oxford before joining Fortnum & Mason. She succeeded her father, Garry Weston, as Chair of Fortnum's in 2000, a position she held for eight years. Jana became a Trustee of the Foundation in 1994. Jana lives in Devon and is married with three children. She is a granddaughter of the founder.
Job Titles:
- Operations Support Officer
Jen is responsible for managing our grant-making database and website. She processes all the grants we make, produces insight data for the team and ensures our systems and processes work smoothly and efficiently for our applicants. Before joining the team, Jen was an administrator in the healthcare sector and she holds a master's degree in criminology. Jen enjoys travelling, spending time with friends and exploring London's many green spaces.
A granddaughter of the founder, Kate graduated from Bristol University and worked across all departments in the luxury food and retailing business Fortnum & Mason. Kate became a Director of the business in 1998, a non-executive Director in 2005 and subsequently Chairman in 2008, succeeding her sister Jana Khayat. Kate is married with five children and lives in Hertfordshire.
Matt leads on completing our eligibility checks relating to applicants. He also manages enquiries to the Foundation, providing advice and support to our applicants. Matt has experience of providing excellent customer service and administrative support in organisations such as a University library and a learned society in the bioscience sector. Matt is president of his local public speaking club, supporting members to improve their communication skills and confidence with public speaking.
Melissa has a background in international development including human rights and public health projects in Cambodia and microcredit programmes in Peru. Melissa joined the Board of the Garfield Weston Foundation in 2008 and is also a Board member of a number of other charitable and philanthropic organisations. Melissa lives in Kent and is a granddaughter of the founder.
Paula is responsible for assessing applications that come to us through our regular grants programme, enjoys learning more about the work we support and regularly liaises with our trustees. She has spent her career working in the health and charity sectors as both a fundraiser and grant-maker, including with the NHS and National Lottery Heritage Fund. She volunteers as a Project Leader at FoodCycle Marylebone and with her local refugee support charity.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Editorial Consultant
Sarah is the keeper of our written word! Sarah developed our editorial style guide and edits and typesets all our documents. Sarah and David are business partners and we value them hugely. In her spare time, Sarah volunteers for a local environmental charity and is involved with a local sports club.
Shemina oversees our Regular Grant programme and manages our Grants Team, which represents the highest volume of grants our Trustees make annually. She leads on one of our flagship programmes, the Weston Charity Awards, in partnership with Pilotlight. Before joining the Foundation, Shemina worked as a Head of Trusts for over 20 years with a focus supporting communities and health sectors. She loves cooking and travelling.
A grandson of Garfield Weston and son of the late Garry Weston, Guy studied at Oxford University and INSEAD. Guy is married to Ina Sarikhani and his career began in investment banking before he moved to Associated British Foods plc where he became Managing Director of Jacksons of Piccadilly and The Ryvita Co. Guy has been Chairman of Wittington Investments and the Garfield Weston Foundation since 2000 and has led significant growth in donations.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Social Media Consultant
Sofia is the keeper of our social media channels! She ensures the Foundation's voice is heard online by managing our social media presence and developing and implementing our social media strategy. Before joining the Foundation, Sofia worked in communications for a number of Government departments before moving to freelance roles. She also volunteers as a communications consultant for a charity that creates trauma-informed homes for women and children escaping domestic abuse. Outside of work, Sofia is passionate about drinking coffee to help her keep up with her two energetic children!
Educated at Durham University, Sophia has worked in publishing and journalism in addition to over 25 years' experience in transformational grant making. Sophia managed The Garfield Weston Foundation during the latter years of her father Garry Weston's chairmanship before she became a Trustee in 1994. Sophia is also a Trustee of the Mary Rose Trust and is a member of the Development Board for the National Portrait Gallery.
A qualified Chartered Accountant, Taryn is responsible for ensuring the Foundation adheres to its financial obligations and oversees our grant payment process. Originally from South Africa, Taryn has many years' experience in the financial and technology sectors. Taryn is a keen conservation volunteer and recently qualified as a horticulturalist. She has spent time in Madagascar conducting diving surveys and her other interests include archaeology and astronomy.