THE STARR TRUST - Key Persons
After moving from Cornwall to Brighton and having a little girl, Alex started volunteering with the Starr Trust.
She continues to have her own business in Cornwall - a bar/restaurant - which gives her the understanding and experience to be able to work out new systems and keep accurate records for the Trust.
Alex says: "I really enjoy my work with the Trust as I like making sure it all runs smoothly financially and being able to report on how much we have raised!" Because of her experience starting her own business, it's important for Alex to be involved with an organisation which encourages young people to succeed and helps support their goals.
Job Titles:
- Technical Administration Manager
Anthony started volunteering for the Starr Trust in 2010 and has been a permanent member of the team since 2012.
Anthony's role is primarily behind the scenes, providing maintenance of the infrastructure that allows the Trust to function efficiently. In addition, Anthony is responsible for the processing of applications for Awards and serves as the first point of contact for applicants.
I was asked by Robert to become a Patron about 4 years ago.
"I was asked by Robert to become a Patron about 4 years ago. His father Edward was a great fan of jazz and came to see me sing often. I remember him very well in the audience and spoke to him quite a bit over the years. I loved everything about the charity and was keen to get involved however I could. Robert's energy and generosity is evident in all he does and I'm very honoured to be a part of a wonderful group doing incredibly inspiring work."
Claire has extensive international publishing knowledge having worked as Art Director and Editor (Hachette Filipacchi Medias / G&J / Haymarket Media Group).
She is a passionate educationalist; senior leadership and curriculum development roles include: Director of Entrepreneurship and Evaluation Manager for the Aldridge Foundation and Assistant Principal at the University Technical College, Newhaven. Claire has an MA in Education and is an accomplished Workplace Coach. Determined to align compulsory and vocational educational with appropriate skills awareness she founded Skillzbox, an APP to support lifelong learning and research.
She is currently working at the Screen and Film School, Brighton, facilitating the under graduate delivery of Creative Industries and Entrepreneurial studies.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder of the Human Hive
- Darren Co - Founded the Starr Trust With His Brother - in - Law Rob and Has Been Involved in Building the Charity since the Beginning
- International Trainer for Musicians Without Borders
Outside the Trust he is a singer, coach, therapist and trainer and is the creator of many programmes designed to expand the potential of individuals and groups. He works internationally as a facilitator and project leader in the fields of personal, cultural and community development, is a qualified trauma therapist, a Certified High Performance Coach and has appeared in opera all over the world.
Darren is co-founder of The Human Hive which trains volunteer and professional teachers to work in non formal and emergency situations and is on the steering team and head of pastoral care for The Complete Freedom of Truth, an international youth-led project developing global youth citizenship through culture and the arts.
Darren is also an international trainer for Musicians Without Borders where he trains musicians to use music for peace building with refugees and in post conflict communities. You can find out more about him at www.darrenabrahams.com.
Job Titles:
- Champions Outreach Manager
Melanie has been heading the internal operations for the Starr Trust since it began.
She enjoys being part of something which is constantly evolving and working to support others. Her role is to take the vision of the Starr Trust and put the processes and structures into place to help achieve them, managing the internal departments. Prior to working at the Trust, Melanie was a Team Manager at BUPA International, which included auditing in Malta. Before that, she worked for Eagle Star Insurance Company in Brighton, Cheltenham, Newcastle and Liverpool, writing tests and processes for a claims handling system. Melanie has also worked for Headway, where she helped individuals settle into their surroundings after having suffered from a brain injury.
Melanie works part-time for the Trust; she is also a singer with a close harmony girl group The Doo-Wop Dolls, a singing coach and part of an Abba Tribute band.
Michael joined Seico as COO in 2011.
One of the things that most attracted Michael to Seico was their commitment to charity and the inspirational work of The Starr Trust, so he was delighted to become a Trustee in early 2014. Michael says that he is looking forward to contributing to the Trust by helping it continue to be as effective as possible in their commitment to support young people and the local area as well as helping to deliver the wonderful culture, arts, sports and leisure hub at the King Alfred site.
Outside of his activities with Seico and the Trust, Michael enjoys his family, sports and supporting Spurs, not necessarily in that order.
Richard is a consultant solicitor at local law firm, Cognitive Law.
He has been practising as a solicitor since 2000, specialising in wealth management and later life planning. He has also been involved with the Starr Trust since its inception.
Rob co-founded the Starr Trust in 2008 after losing his father Edward to cancer.
Rob wanted to give to others what his father gave to him; quite simply a belief that he could achieve anything. Rob passionately believes that there is nothing more empowering than inspiring people to be the best that they can be.
Outside of his Chairmanship of the Starr Trust Rob is also CEO of the Seico Insurance & Mortgage Group, having founded the company in 1990 at age 21. Rob is also the author of the book "From Starr to Starrfish" about his journey to learn to swim and conquer the English Channel and is currently completing his first fiction novel. Rob has also written four plays and co-written two full length musicals, all of which have been staged. Rob is currently heading a team to turn Brighton & Hove's dilapidated King Alfred Leisure Centre into a modern Community Hub offering the City new seafront living along with a hub for Leisure, Theatre and the Arts.
Robert, through his firm of Style & Silver Accountants in Southwick, has acted for Robert Starr and Seico Insurance for a very, very long time.
Style & Silver have also acted for the Starr Trust since its inception. Born in London, he moved to Hove as a boy and wouldn't live anywhere else. He's known the Starr family since long before Seico was set up and was friends with Eddie Starr, Rob's father for many years.
Like Michael Jacobs, he's a Spurs supporter and plays golf, both of which give him endless hours of frustration and the occasional moment of pleasure.
I am proud to be a Patron for the Starr Trust.
"I am proud to be a Patron for the Starr Trust. Their sense of family commitment and work to inspire and help local youth further themselves and fulfil their dreams no matter their background is something I am proud to endorse."