Rank Leaders Action Group

I joined brainstrust as Development Manager in 2009, having worked in strategy and account management in the publishing and marketing sectors. This included four years at one of the UK’s largest independent communications agencies, collaborating with clients that included ActionAid, Yorkshire Forward, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, and UK Trade and Investment. I became Director of Development at brainstrust in 2011 and took on the broader responsibilities of Chief Executive in October 2016.

I believe in using constraints to advantage, including, and notably for our sector, bringing to life the power of the network. Collaboration with clear boundaries in our space amplifies impact by allowing us to pool resources and expertise while maintaining our unique portfolios of purpose and identity. This fosters innovation—partners bring diverse perspectives and skills to the table, leading to more effective solutions. Our values and boundaries ensure that roles and responsibilities are understood, conflict is reduced, and efficiency is enhanced. This balance of teamwork and autonomy achieves sustainable change, maximising the benefits for the communities we serve.

None of us is as smart as all of us, and this is why the Rank Network holds so much potential for us all.

I am CEO of Memory Matters and The Memory Matters Foundation, and also a qualified nurse. I co-founded Memory Matters in 2010 and now lead a team of 24 formidable people to make lasting changes for those affected by dementia in the community across Plymouth and Cornwall. I also sit on the Rank Leaders Action Group and chairs the Plymouth Participatory Grant Making Panel that is disseminating over £1.6millon to reduce loneliness and isolation in the city between 2022 and 2025.

In 2016 I opened the first high street social enterprise cafe (Moments) specifically designed to support those affected by dementia in the world in Plymouth. Moments Cafe is now in its 7th year and supports the community of Plymouth and surrounding areas supporting over 400 families a year and seeing nearly 60,000 people through its doors every year.

The team at Memory Matters support people with groups, memory cafes, young onset dementia groups and many others across Devon and Cornwall. The team also work with other social enterprises, supporting them to grow and flourish.

I was awarded an Honorary Public Health Degree in 2023 for services to Dementia in Plymouth from Marjon University.

For me, the Rank Network fosters a collaborative intellectual ecosystem for inspiring social sector leaders. Members, are united by a commitment to social impact, engage in synergistic dialogue, innovative ideas and best practices for maximising their positive influence on society.

I have been a member of the Rank Foundation since 2013 when I joined as a YAPPER. It is safe to say that the introduction to the programme has changed my life. Without it I doubt I would have pursued a career in the charity sector so I am forever grateful to be part of such a rich community. I am now the Managing Director of Reaching Higher, the charity that hosted my initial internship with the Rank Foundation. I am also the Founder of Sowing & Growing Nursery and Preschool and a trustee for Crystal Palace Park Trust.

I consider myself to be a positive disrupter and my hope is to drive change across the Youth Sector, establishing a Youth Hub of excellence that enables and supports exceptional youth work.

The Rank Network is rich with knowledge, experience and daring leaders all of whom are determined to bring about meaningful change in their communities. A great example of this is Kai Wooder, a truly remarkable woman who has journeyed throughout the Foundation and its network inspiring everyone whom she encounters. Kai leads with authenticity and has a real gift it enabling individuals to feel seen, heard and valued. A strong leadership characteristic that she continually demonstrates effortlessly, it has been a genuine honour to work in collaboration with her and fellow leaders alike.

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.

As a member of the Greenhill YMCA team, I find myself wearing many hats, which keeps each day feeling refreshingly different. From supporting volunteer recruitment to managing our bookings, I’m deeply involved in various aspects of our operations.

But what truly drives me is my passion for promoting Global Youth Work and building strong community partnerships. I also champion the value of outdoor learning and its profound impact on young minds. Whether I’m connecting with like-minded individuals or diving into marketing efforts to showcase the incredible opportunities at Greenhill YMCA, I’m thrilled to contribute to an organization that makes each day meaningful and impactful for young people.

What’s special about the Rank Network is the opportunity to learn from diverse and brilliant individuals, each hailing from unique backgrounds. It’s incredibly inspiring to witness the amazing work that everyone contributes to the network. Whether it’s tackling complex challenges or innovating in their respective fields, every member brings something valuable to the table.

What keeps me motivated and inspired within the Rank Network is not just the what or the how of our work, but the why – the shared dedication to making a positive impact in our communities and beyond.

I am originally from South Africa with an extensive background in management consulting, project management, and training. In 2017, I moved to Wales, where I joined Credu, a carers organisation in Mid Powys, and successfully secured a place on the Time to Shine Programme. This opportunity was pivotal, fostering an increased sense of purpose and enhancing my skills for a career in the health and social care sector.

I currently work as part of the Powys Regional Partnership Board team, where I facilitate improved collaboration between statutory services and the voluntary sector. I also work as a freelance trainer and action learning facilitator for the Time to Shine programme. I feel privileged and grateful to still be working with the Rank Foundation.

Beyond work, I am a keen runner, enjoy exploring the scenic landscapes of Wales, and immersing myself in a good book.

I’m currently the Head of Business Development at WOMEN’STEC, a charity supporting women and girls to consider careers in sectors where women are underrepresented. I joined WOMEN’STEC in 2018 as Business Development Officer through Rank’s Time to Shine programme. Before this, I worked as a third sector consultant with charities, sports clubs, government, and councils.

At university, I achieved a First Class Hons in BSc Sports and Exercise Science. In 2020, with support from the Rank Foundation, I achieved a Distinction in MSc in Business Development and Innovation. My research study examined the impact of the pandemic on third sector organisations and developed a framework for organisational resilience. In 2020, I also joined the Rank Leaders Action Group.

I love learning, and particularly, learning from others. The Rank Network has a vast range of inspiring individuals from organisations all across the UK who hold valuable knowledge and experiences that we can all learn from. What is special about this network of like-minded, social leaders, is that everyone is so open to knowledge sharing and collaborating and so I feel that I have a friendly, supportive network that can be called upon if advice or support is needed. What’s more is, the opportunities that come through knowledge sharing can help drive innovation and creativity in the social sector, and the Rank Network is certainly leading the way with this. For me, as a leader working in Northern Ireland, it is also very valuable to hear from the experiences of leaders across every corner of the UK.

I’ve worked at the Jack Petchey Foundation since 2017 and became CEO in 2022. Prior to that, I was Director of Link Age Southwark, a community volunteering charity supporting older people.

I have worked for over 20 years in policy, advocacy, leadership and grant-making roles in the third sector, across the UK, Europe, East Africa and beyond. I have been adviser, trustee and employee of grant makers including Comic Relief, the Samworth Foundation and Paul Hamlyn Foundation. I have a degree in Social Anthropology from Cambridge University and a Masters in Gender and Develoment. Other charities I have worked for include the Refugee Council for over 8 years and Mind. I am a Trustee of Lewisham Local and chair the London Funders Children and Young People’s Network.

I passionately believe that connections between individuals and organisations are essential for effecting positive social change. The Rank Network is a fantastic resource of people committed to making our communities better places for everyone to thrive in. It’s full of incredibly talented and passionate people who are working towards the same end goal for our communities. By connecting so many inspiring individuals, we strengthen our chance of tackling social challenges and building a bright future for us all.

I’ve worked in the EVAWG (Ending violence against women and girls) sector since 2003, and currently work as CEO for HARV Outreach and Paladin NSAS, in the last 5 years worked in collaboration to develop the Emily Davison Centre the first VAWG hub and home to 6 specialist services including the first domestic abuse service specifically for the Trans+ community, Loving Me.

I hold an MA in Voluntary Sector Management from Edge Hill University and am passionate about community development, capacity building and reshaping the voluntary sector to become more sustainable.

For me, the Rank Network is unique as it brings together organisations whose main link is Rank and this enables the ability and willingness to share and support each other in a way I have never experienced before. Rank’s Network is full of inspiring individuals who are dedicated to working together to support the sector.

I’m the Founder and CEO of SELFA Children’s Charity based in North Yorkshire, an organisation supports over 500 children and young people every year. Over the last two decades I have campaigned on a range of issues including access to services for families living in rural communities and children and young people’s mental health. This is deeply rooted in my own experience as a parent of a child with mental health support needs and emotionally based school avoidance.

I’m originally from Belfast and after studying Business and Finance at Ulster University, I moved to Yorkshire to work for the national charity Mencap and then moved into the public sector before setting up SELFA in 2007. I’m an ILM qualified Coach and Mentor from Leeds Beckett University, a West Yorkshire NHS Health Equity Fellow and a Media Spokesperson for the Sound Delivery Network.

The Rank Network is one of those really unique spaces that brings together leaders from all walks of life and builds on strengths through creating meaningful and lasting relationships. It’s my go-to when I need advice, guidance or reassurance – somewhere where everyone is equal, regardless of where they are on their leadership journey. I’ve learnt so much from experienced and new members alike, and I am very proud to be part of a network that has such a great impact across the UK.

I am born, raised and very much still part of Hendon, an area of high deprivation in Sunderland. With a background in regeneration, enterprise and community engagement as well as charitable work and an MSc in Urban Policy & Regeneration from Northumbria University, it was perhaps written in the stars that I would lead Back on the Map (BotM) and the regeneration of Hendon.

I started at BotM in 2011 and worked my way up to CEO in April 2022. Along the way, I’ve managed many impactful projects, securing significant funding, and achieving remarkable results.

Away from BotM, I hold positions with other local and national charitable organisations and am a member of the Rank Foundation’s Rank Leaders Action Group. Looking ahead, my focus remains on empowering Hendon’s residents and amplifying their voices in all our endeavours.