About Us > People
Our People
Rank has a small team who spend their time building strong relationships and working alongside the Network. Rank’s team is supported by an active board of trustees and leaders from our Network all of whom offer their time and expertise to help our decision making.
- All Members
- Staff
- Place-based Associates
- Trustees
- Rank Leaders Action Group
- Fellowship Leadership Team
Olivia Hardiman
Fellow, Class of 2017
I received Rank’s School Leadership Award while at Walsall Academy in 2017. My first Community Action Placement at Greenbank Community Church in Liskeard left a profound impact on me. My second CAP looked different as I did two mini self-organised placements, volunteering at the former Mend-it Project at Green Lane Baptist Church (Walsall) and at the Soul Survivor Festival (Stafford).
I joined the Fellowship Leadership Team in 2021. Since then, I have had the privilege of supporting the outreach work to reconnect fellows to the Fellowship – I am excited to see what impact this could have on our community and how the new connections and exchange of experiences might have a positive impact outside of our network.
In September 2023, I graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Worcester, and began the Bar Practice Course at The University of Law in Birmingham – which I am set to complete in 2025! I also work part-time as a Specialist Notetaker and Support Worker at Cosmic People, where I scribe for undergraduate and postgraduate students with disabilities and impairments, in universities in and around Birmingham.
Phil Davies
Associate Director for Plymouth, The Rank Foundation
I started working with the Rank Foundation in the Autumn of 2018 as the Associate Director for Plymouth, just before the City’s place-based programme was launched.
I had spent the previous thirty years working in education: the first half of which as a lecturer and eventually director in the university sector; and the second half of my career in the further education sector where I was Principal/CEO at City College Plymouth. I have an MA in European politics have spent short spells at both Harvard and Babson College in the US.
I find it impossible to single out one individual within the Rank Network. Every day I consider myself to be enormously privileged to work with colleagues from the local Rank Network. In particular, the inspirational leaders of social enterprises in Plymouth, along with their committed and passionate teams, continue to address many economic, social, and health challenges faced by the individuals and communities they serve so well.
Piers Mudd
Fellow, Class of 1997
I received the School Leadership Award in 1996. My involvement with The Foundation and The Fellowship has been near-on continuous since then either through raising funds for Rank charities (via various physical adventures), working with the Fellowship Leadership Team, or indeed continuing to benefit from the guidance and counsel of various Fellows whom I am proud to call friends and mentors.
Leadership has been a continuous theme through my life and career with varied application from frontline military service to building a sustainable fish business in Uganda. My passion now lies in developing fabulous teams capable of achieving the unthinkable in sustainable aquaculture and climate tech. Now that I am back in the UK I am delighted to step back into the Rank fold to help continue the amazing work of The Fellowship.
Richard Beard
Chief Executive Officer, Jericho
I’m a chartered engineer who gained 17 years’ experience in the construction industry before popping into Jericho for a couple of weeks volunteering in the summer of 2004. The cause captured my heart, and I soon joined the staff team at Jericho, becoming CEO in 2006.
I have a passion for social enterprise as a way of sustainably creating a fairer society for all. I love learning and sharing my experiences to help others grow and develop. Being part of the Rank Network is like being part of a family of likeminded souls – through it I get to meet so many inspiring people and organisations.
Richard Marsh
Associate Director for Blackpool, The Rank Foundation
Rosalie Kerr
Alumni Development Officer
I joined The Rank Foundation in January 2025 as the Alumni Development Officer, part of the Time to Shine programme. I feel incredibly fortunate to have this year long opportunity, which offers a fantastic introduction to the charitable sector through a blend of training, hands-on work experience, and Rank’s inspiring ethos of empowering communities through collaboration.
My role focuses on fostering and strengthening connections with Rank Fellows, helping to build lasting relationships within the network. I also assist in administering the School Leadership Award, which aligns beautifully with my work with the Fellowship, as these leaders go on to become part of the Fellowship community.
In 2024, I graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics. Studying history gave me a deep appreciation for understanding global contexts, and I continue to have a personal passion for learning about world history. Living in another city during my studies also underscored the importance of understanding the unique dynamics of local areas when working with them—something The Rank Foundation excels at through its place-based programmes.
I’m delighted to be part of such an inspiring charity, and I’m committed to fostering the sense of community within the third sector that The Rank Foundation so passionately champions.
Saana Taussi
Events and Engagement Officer, NI
I joined the Rank Foundation in January 2024. My work focuses on increasing engagement with the network of voluntary and sports organisations in the Start Here Programme in Northern Ireland. This involves supporting the delivery of learning and networking opportunities, as well as sharing stories from the organisations and individuals involved in the programme.
I’m originally from Finland, but I moved to Scotland to do a BSc in Psychology at the University of Dundee. I’m now based in Belfast; I completed a MA in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice here.
I am passionate about social justice, and I believe there’s strength in community. The Rank Network is special in bringing together so many people working in different ways to improve life in their communities, and I’m lucky to support that work.
I’m taking part in the Time to Shine Leadership programme, through which I get the privilege of building connections with other leaders and making the most out of our Network.
Sonia Talsi
Assistant Director of Operations
I joined the Rank Foundation in October 2022 as the Assistant Director of Operations. I am responsible for the Foundation’s operations, with a particular focus on creating a collaborative co-working space for our Network members and social sector partners in our Shoreditch, London office.
I have extensive experience in operations and project management. After working in the charity sector, I transitioned into education sector management for over 18 years. I have also held positions as a charity treasurer and a trustee.
I am motivated by my father, who was a Deputy Director at a Czech power plant. He was a multilingual professional and truly inspirational. He had strong family values and was always extremely supportive of everyone, especially his family.
For me, the power of the Rank Network lies in its remarkable collaboration. It’s inspirational to see how the Network supports each member in reaching their potential. At Rank’s co-working space, it’s always great to witness the collaboration between charities and organisations in the social sector, creating new opportunities for everyone, especially young people.
Stuart Cowen
Trustee
I served in the army for over thirty years with the Household Cavalry, deploying on operations including UN Peace-Keeping, the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan. I was also involved in State Ceremonial, planning and participating in the Golden and Diamond Jubilees and Royal Weddings. Since leaving the services, I have focused on advising on philanthropy for corporates and individuals.
I have accumulated a wealth of knowledge in grant-making through Trusts and Foundations, both family and corporate structures. When commanding the Household Cavalry, I restructured the wide and complex network of trusts and endowed funds into a single Foundation, providing more focused support to soldiers, operational casualties, and their dependents, veterans, the regiment’s heritage, and equine welfare.
After leaving military service in 2015, I was brought in to lead the charitable foundation of a FTSE 100 property company, developing its philanthropic vision and activity as part of its CSR strategy. In 2018, I moved to an international philanthropic consultancy.
I was commissioned into the army after leaving school, attended the Army Staff College, received an MA from Cranfield University, and an MBA from Said Business School at the University of Oxford.
In addition to being a Trustee of the Rank Foundation, I am the Chairman of the Rank Prize Funds, which supports research into Opto-electronics and Nutrition. I am also a senior advisor with Global Philanthropic Consultancy and a Director and Vice Chairman of Guards Polo Club.
Outside work, I have a deep fondness for the countryside, equine and field sports. I live in Hampshire with my wife Lizzie and our two children, and I enjoy studying history and travelling.
Stuart Wilson
Fellow, Class of 1984
I received my award from the Rank Foundation when I was 15, and I have been forever grateful for the stability and certainty it gave when all else around was chaos. Rank’s support enabled me to attend further education, opened my eyes to a world of opportunities and encouraged me to set the very highest of standards throughout my entire professional life.
Having worked for other people for six years and funded myself through an MBA, I set up my own technology focused executive search and interim management firm 25 years ago which I scaled across four continents.
The Rank Foundation certainly changed my life, and it is a huge privilege to spend time with others it has supported and see the confidence it has given them.
Taylor Lawrence
Fellow, Class of 2013
Since graduating from the University of Exeter in 2018, I joined WPP on their Health Fellowship, where I worked as a Research Associate at the Chief Medical Office and later as an Associate Management Consultant in Medical Consulting. Currently, I am a Senior Consultant at ZPB Associates.
I completed my CAP placements at Ykids, Liverpool, and The Children’s Centre, Isle of Man. During my time with the Fellowship Leadership Team, I hope to ease the transition of School Leadership Award holders into the Fellowship, maintain connections for their first few years in the Fellowship, and help them see the benefits of staying in touch.
William Wyatt
Chair
I joined The Rank Foundation as a Trustee in 2015 and was appointed Chair following the AGM on 4 June 2024. I started my professional career as a banker at Close Brothers Corporate Finance after a brief commission in the British Army. I spent the majority of my career at Caledonia Investments plc, where I was CEO for 12 years. I am currently a non-executive Director of Caledonia, The Jockey Club, REI Plc, and Cobehold NV.
My interests revolve around my family of four children, my farming interests, and sports, particularly horse racing, cricket, skiing, and cheering on Leicester Tigers Rugby Club.
I have been involved with various charities in the past few years, raising funds for Junior Diabetes Research Foundation, Racing Welfare, Pancreatic Cancer UK, Walking with the Wounded, and The Wheeley Boat Trust. I am particularly interested in and proud of The Rank Foundation’s Place Based Projects.
I am honoured to have taken over as Chair of The Rank Foundation. My predecessor oversaw a period of great innovation, and we are fortunate to have a truly inspirational management team who are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in this sector. The requirement for funding and Rank’s enterprising style of provision has never been greater. We will strive to continue to provide the support and to reach as many deserving charities and users as is possible in the future.
Zara Tso
Fellow, Class of 2010
I graduated from King’s College London with a degree in Ancient Greek and English Literature and worked as an A&R Executive at Decca Records, Universal Music. I was also the musical director of the UK’s top female a cappella group, The Rolling Tones, from 2014 to 2016, and served as the National Youth representative at Amnesty International from 2010 to 2011.
Most recently, I have been working as an Assistant Commissioner at BBC Radio 1 & 1Xtra, covering all things Film and TV.