SNOWDON TRUST - Key Persons
Alicia Loh is a commercial lawyer in London, having done her undergraduate and master's degrees at Cambridge, where she was the Snowdon Trust's first scholar. She engages in disability advocacy on Instagram at @ExploreDisabled, where she shares her life as a disabled power wheelchair user.
Andrew was involved with the charity right from the very start. He helped Lord Snowdon develop the idea and set everything up in 1981, including legal arrangements and financial procedures. He went on to be our general secretary for over 20 years before serving a further 14 years as a Trustee. We have been delighted to honour him by appointing him a Vice President in March 2019.
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair of the Finance Committee
Andy recently completed a 19-year career in Shell. During this time, he held multiple global HR roles, across different locations, with a focus on business partnering, talent management and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI). During his time at Shell, Andy led Shell's disability employee resource groups. He also led the introduction of the `Fuel Service` app globally across Shell's 30,000 self-service stations that gives disabled drivers more independence through being able to plan ahead and re-fuel without needing to leave their cars.
Andy was awarded an OBE in 2022 for services to Diversity & Inclusion in recognition of his contribution to disability inclusion, both within Shell and across industry.
Andy is now pursuing a portfolio career, including acting as an Ambassador for Purple Space and Non-Executive Director of Lincolnshire Cricket Limited. Andy sees himself as an agent for change and uses his own personal experience of disability, plus his HR skillset, to influence and secure leadership commitment on the disability agenda.
Job Titles:
- Senior Adviser at Edelman
Anji Hunter is currently Senior Adviser at Edelman, Anji's previous roles include Director of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering at the Royal Academy of Engineering, Director of Government and Social Affairs for Anglo American plc; Director of Communications for BP and Downing Street's Director of Government Relations, where she was one of Tony Blair's closest advisers. Anji came into contact with the charity when arranging for Mr Blair to attend an event and always expressed a strong personal interest in our work.
Tanni was a Trustee from 2011 to 2015.
She was appointed as a working crossbench peer in 2010 but she is perhaps best known from her days as a Paralympic athlete, winning a total of 11 gold medals in 5 Paralympic games. She retired from competition in 2007, however she still plays an active role in the administration of sport and is regularly seen on television, commenting on events.
Clare has worked in higher education for over 23 years within a range of roles, including a DSA assessor for students at undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD level study . She has extensive experience in evaluating support options for students and has specialist knowledge of assistive technology to meet a variety of needs. Prior to joining the DSA sector, Clare completed a number of projects to improve support services for students with specific learning difficulties, autism and sensory impairments. Clare has witnessed the positive impact the grants can make to students studying in higher education and was honoured to join the Snowdon Trust selection panel in 2024. In her spare time, Clare enjoys travel and spending time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair of the Finance Committee
A past Snowdon student, Paolo graduated from the London School of Economics with a Ph.D. on the Independence of Regulatory Agencies, in 2009. So, he has his first-hand experience of studying at an intense level with a disability. Paolo is currently a Senior Associate in the International area of the Financial Conduct Authority (formerly, the Financial Services Authority), and was previously seconded for one year to the Bank of England. His prior work experience includes time at the Directorate‑General for Economic and Financial Affairs of the European Commission in Luxembourg, and advising on regulatory affairs for Orange, the largest telecoms operator in France. Both during university and in his work roles, Paolo has raised the profile of disability issues in a range of ways. Paolo has been a member of our Selection Panel since 2003 and was appointed a Trustee in 2017.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Trustees
- Senior Advisor
Dr Wendy Piatt is a Senior Advisor in the UK Parliament in addition to numerous advisory and NED roles including Chair of the Remuneration Committee of Lincoln College, University of Oxford (where she is also a member of the Rector's Council), member of the HE advisory board for the Royal Anniversary Trust and now a director of the UK Abraham Accords Group.
Until 2023 she was Chief Executive Officer of Gresham College, the oldest Higher Education Institution in London and prior to that she was Senior Strategic Advisor at University College, London. Previously, she was CEO and Director General of the Russell Group having set up the organisation as a company limited by guarantee in 2007. She also served as an advisor to the Secretary of State for Business and Skills from 2009-10.
During her career as a senior civil servant in the Cabinet Office, Prime Minister's Strategy Unit (where she was deputy director) and Department for Education and Skills, she led on a broad range of public policy areas including public service reform in health, education and transport, the UK's digital strategy, local government policy, early years and social welfare. Previously, Dr Piatt was a senior analyst at the Institute for Public Policy Research where she published numerous reports on social policy.
She has undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from Lincoln College, Oxford University and King's College, London where she was awarded numerous academic prizes.
Catherine is a highly experienced CFA charterholder professional with expertise in impact measurement and in shaping corporate strategy in the financial sector. She is currently working for a non-profit think tank/research body focused on influencing and promoting sustainable practices in fixed income markets. She has recent experience of attending university both as a student with additional needs completing a PhD Philosophy in 2018 and following this as a Research Associate teaching undergraduate courses at the London School of Economics. This has given her first-hand experience of the diverse range of student needs and underpins her belief in ensuring accessibility of higher education. Catherine has acted as a Special Adviser on organisational ethics at Principia Advisory, and in her spare time she likes to write - Catherine published her first fiction Novel in 2023.
Job Titles:
- Dean of Students at the Royal Academy of Music
- Professor
Professor Kenny (Liz) is the Dean of Students at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM). One of Europe's leading lute players she has spent thirty years performing in solo, chamber music and opera and theatre projects. She is an experienced Higher Education professional, with roles such as Professor of Musical Performance, Director of Performance and Performance Studies, Dean of Students and Senior Manager giving Liz a depth of insight into the sector. Currently as Dean of Students at RAM, Liz oversees Student Support, (including mental health, learning and disability support), Widening Participation activities, Museum and Collections, and she teaches in the Historical Performance Department.
Job Titles:
- Research Associate ( Scientist ) in Biomedical MR Imaging at the University of Manchester
Research Associate (Scientist) in Biomedical MR Imaging at The University of Manchester (UoM). Founder and Chair of the National Association of Disabled Staff Networks (NADSN). Worked as Chair and Co-Chair of UoM Disabled Staff Network (DSN). Hamied was supported by the Snowdon Trust to complete his studies at UoM. A powered chair-user. Passionate about equality and diversity, and a tireless Disability advocate.
Hannah was born with a visual impairment and was educated in mainstream schools before completing a BA Hons in International Relations.
While at university, she set up a national support group for people living with her eye condition, Aniridia. She also held the position of Disabled Students' rep before being elected on to the NUS disabled students campaign committee.
This led to Hannah dedicating her career to supporting and advocating for disabled people, particularly in education and employment. Hannah became a selection panel member in 2008 as part of her role as Disabled Students' Adviser At Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities. She now works at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) currently as Customer Experience Manager, but during her 12years at RNIB has held a number of positions providing advice and support on welfare benefits, social care, independent living as well as employment, education and volunteering opportunities.
Hannah enjoys bringing both her professional and lived experience of disability to the selection panel team.
Jacob is a disabled barrister, consultant, and academic with a multidisciplinary focus in commercial law, governance, disability, and education. He read law and education at Cambridge, occupational medicine at Otago, governance at UCD, business at UCL, teaching at the LSE, dispute resolution at Aberdeen, theology and ethics at KCL, and is chartered in banking, finance and securities. As a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, he interviewed potential undergraduates and marked the Cambridge Law admission exams, always with an eye to advancing disabled applicants. Unhappy with the lack of advancement, he often acts pro-bono in obtaining reasonable adjustments for disabled students and professionals, and acted pro-bono in the Post Office Scandal. Prior to returning to the UK, he studied at Victoria University of Wellington, was a Legal and Policy Advisor at the New Zealand Law Commission and clerked for Judges of the Court of Appeal and President of the Law Commission. Jacob practices at the bar and runs an Equality Act, occupational health and disability consultancy, Reasonable Adjustment. In his spare time, he campaigns for all Boards to have a disabled board member.
Breaking down barriers for disabled students through education and into employment
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Selection Panel
- Vice Chair of Trustees
John is Team Leader for Vision and Multi-Sensory Impaired Children, Young People and Families for Norfolk County Council's Virtual School Sensory Support. Before this, he was Senior Education Officer with RNIB. John has been a member of our Selection Panel since 1999 and chaired it since 2008. He is also Chair of VIEW, the Vision Impairment Education Workforce, a member of the Disability Experts Panel for the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education, a volunteer support worker for Vision Norfolk, and a Coach with the Norfolk & Norwich Goalball Team.
Judith is a tetraplegic wheelchair user following an RTA in 1969. As a 13 year old she had to fight for access to education but was fortunate to eventually obtain a place at Sussex University in 1974 to study History. Having a degree opened up opportunities in employment in both disability organisations and local authorities and until 2008 she was Head of Cambridge University Disability Resource Centre. Her experience has shown Judith the importance of good support and funding to ensure equality of access to education. She is therefore very proud of her position as a Selection Panel Member.
Frances is the 1st Earl of Snowdon's youngest daughter. Alongside her father she was the director of his photographic archive over the last few years of his life, working with him on books and exhibitions of his photographs. She is the editor and founder of the cultural magazine Luncheon.
Lord Colin Low Colin was a selection panel member for us from the charity's inception in 1981 until 1994. He is blind and his experience was particularly helpful in considering grant requests from applicants with a visual impairment. He has been a long time trustee of RNIB and was Chairman from 2000-2009. Colin was one of the founder members of the Disability Rights Commission (2000-2002) and was President of the European Blind Union (2003-2011) and the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) (from 2010). He was appointed to the House of Lords in 2006. Colin was awarded the title of Vice-President upon retiring as a Trustee in 2024, in recognition of his long service to the Snowdon Trust and lifetime commitment to driving disability inclusion.
Molly, a past Snowdon Scholar herself, is passionate about improving the equality and accessibility of the higher education sector. She has a history of involvement in disability activism and student representation. As the Students with Disabilities Officer for Lancaster University's Students' Union, Molly ran campaigns to improve the accessibility of the university and establish a community of disabled students. She was also a Student Panellist for the Office for Students, where she represented the student voice to government ministers, departments and leading higher education stakeholders. Following her MPhil in Classics at Cambridge, Molly now works for the Office for Students full time. Molly Molly, a past Snowdon Scholar herself, is passionate about improving the equality and accessibility of the higher education sector. She has a history of involvement in disability activism and student representation. As the Students with Disabilities Officer for Lancaster University's Students' Union, Molly ran campaigns to improve the accessibility of the university and establish a community of disabled students. She was also a Student Panellist for the Office for Students, where she represented the student voice to government ministers, departments and leading higher education stakeholders. Following her MPhil in Classics at Cambridge, Molly now works for the Office for Students full time.
Nick is an experienced ACA qualified Chief Financial Officer with strong commercial, operational and leadership skills. He has worked internationally in both corporate and private equity environments, has extensive experience of M&A transactions in Europe and North America, and has a track record of building and leading multinational finance teams. Following a successful corporate career, Nick is now focused on building an NED portfolio and contributing his time and passion to supporting charities such as the Snowdon Trust. As the first in his family to attend university, he has a deep understanding of the transformational impact of a good education on one's life chances. As a father of a child living with disabilities Nick is an ardent believer in equality of opportunity and in levelling the field in favour of disabled people so that they can fulfil their potential. In his free time, Nick enjoys spending time with his family and friends and likes being outside whether it be gardening, running, sailing, BBQing or walking with his dog. Nick Thomas Nick Thomas Appointed: 2024 Nick is an experienced ACA qualified Chief Financial Officer with strong commercial, operational and leadership skills. He has worked internationally in both corporate and private equity environments, has extensive experience of M&A transactions in Europe and North America, and has a track record of building and leading multinational finance teams. Following a successful corporate career, Nick is now focused on building an NED portfolio and contributing his time and passion to supporting charities such as the Snowdon Trust. As the first in his family to attend university, he has a deep understanding of the transformational impact of a good education on one's life chances. As a father of a child living with disabilities Nick is an ardent believer in equality of opportunity and in levelling the field in favour of disabled people so that they can fulfil their potential. In his free time, Nick enjoys spending time with his family and friends and likes being outside whether it be gardening, running, sailing, BBQing or walking with his dog.
Nigel has experience in the fields of Special Needs Teaching, Counselling, Training and Assessment. He is an integrative counsellor, funeral celebrant, and a consultant needs assessor of the needs of disabled students for the Central London Assessment Services, which is a DSA Access Centre. He brings a great deal of current knowledge and practical experience on issues, equipment and other support requirements.
Job Titles:
- Creative Writer
- President of the Youth Advisory Board of Street Project Foundation
Uzoamaka Anita Asiegbu is a Creative Writer and a Gender and Disability Inclusion Specialist championing the representation and mainstreaming of women with disabilities in all aspects of society. With an award from UNV in Nigeria on women empowerment and gender, as well as experience working with UN Women, Uzoamaka has mastered the requisite skills to ensure the inclusion of women with disabilities in gender equality.
Uzoamaka is the President of the Youth Advisory Board of Street Project Foundation's growing pool of transformational youth leaders who are advocating social change through arts. She is also a member of the Snowdon Trust Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP), where she provides valuable perspectives to ensure that Snowdon's work is inclusive of diverse lived experiences.
Uzoamaka understands the importance of full representation of women with disabilities in gender equality discourses, and she applies a disabled perspective to her study and work activities. She also actively utilises her creative writing skills to create inclusive representations of characters with disabilities in literature. Presently, Uzoamaka is studying for her Master's degree in Women and Gender Studies (Erasmus GEMMA) from the University of Lodz, Poland and the University of Bologna, Italy.