Our team

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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!

Yousef was hired by Associated British Foods through the Fair Shot Employment Programme. Fair Shot is a charity the helps young adults with learning disabilities gain employment by providing a one-year training programme in their cafe and assisting them in finding and retaining employment. The Foundation has supported Fair Shot for several years, and we are delighted that one of their graduates, Yousef, works in our building for Associated British Foods, Wittington Investments and the Foundation as we share offices and some services. Yousef’s role includes managing our post, handling deliveries and keeping our office environment tidy. He enjoys travelling and fashion.