Who we are

Glasspool is an endowed trust, run by eight trustee-directors and administered by four members of staff .

The Board is supported by three Sub-Committees, on finance (FSC), grants (GSC) and human resources (HRSC) to discuss issues and make recommendations to the full Board.

These Sub-Committees each have a Chair and Deputy Chair and at least two other trustee-directors and are supported by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as secretary.

Trustees

Kerri Phillips, Chair of Trustees: 
Kerri joined Glasspool in 2012 and became the Chair of our board December 2021. Kerri has been a Civil Servant since 2002 and has experience of working in a number of departments including Cabinet Office, the Department for Communities and Local Government and currently the Ministry of Justice. During London 2012, she was responsible for operational communications on the Olympic Park.

“It is a joy to work as part of the Glasspool family and I know that we are 100% focussed on supporting people who most need our help.  I love the way the Board and team work together. We and have built an open, supportive culture where everyone is encouraged to put ideas forward.  We are excited about our future and we will continue to look at how we can build on our strong foundations to improve the impact of the work that we do.”

Charles Mesquita, Deputy Chair of Trustees and Chair of Finance Sub-committee: 
Charles is the Charities Director at Quilter Cheviot Investment Management. He joined the Glasspool Board in 2016 and is also trustee of Bowel Research UK and PRISM the gift fund. Charles has worked for a number of leading financial institutions and founded Charities Property Fund, the first Common Investment Fund investing in UK commercial property. He also established the first program focused on ongoing education for charity trustees.

“It’s a privilege to be part of Glasspool’s Trustee Board. The passion and commitment of the team to go the extra mile, to truly make a difference is intoxicating. We have no fear of failure, we are open to challenge and new ways of thinking. But we always remain focused on the common purpose; improving lives of our beneficiaries. Trustees and staff are encouraged to share views openly. Ultimately, the prize is being part of an amazing organisation that is quietly remarkable.  I thank Mr Glasspool for his vision and for the part we’re able to play in making society a better place. This is what I was promised when I joined Glasspool and it has not disappointed.”

Robert Birmingham, Trustee and Chair of Grants Sub-committee:
Robert is an Occupational Therapist with over 20 years’ experience working in a variety of settings across the health, social care and private sectors. Robert has been a trustee since 2007. Robert provides advice and support on applications to Glasspool for specialist disability equipment. His skills and knowledge help inform decision making both on individual grant awards and also our wider grant giving policy.

“Being a trustee at Glasspool has genuinely been one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling experiences of my life. It has been an opportunity to use my skills and knowledge as an Occupational Therapist, not only to advise on individual awards and to inform grant giving policy, but also to be involved in the continuing strategic development and evolution of this charity. Being part of such a thriving organisation and being part of the Glasspool ‘family’ is addictive and I’ve learnt so much from other trustees, which has enhanced my skillset and broadened my knowledge in so many ways.”

Andrea Allocco, Trustee and Chair of Human Resources Sub-committee:
Andrea joined as a Trustee with Glasspool in March 2019. She was looking for a way to give back to the community, share her skills with a charitable organisation and expand her experiences. She was drawn to Glasspool by the simplicity of how a washing machine can have an immediate and positive difference to an individual or family’s life. Since then she has learned so much more and enjoys all her interactions with the dedicated team of staff and Trustees.

In her ‘day job’, she is a partner in PwC’s Audit practice providing financial reporting and accounting technical support to a wide range of UK companies. She also leads the People and Resourcing agenda for a team of over 150 individuals. Although she is an accountant by day, her passion is strategic thinking about how Glasspool can most efficiently and effectively reach those in hardship.

"It has been an absolute privilege to work with the Glasspool organisation over the past four years. It is a small but mighty team with a strong learning culture and a focus on helping others in the best way possible."

Sophie Outhwaite, Trustee and Deputy Chair of Finance Sub-committee:
Sophie is a Head of Investment Research Solutions at a major financial organisation. Sophie wanted to find a trustee position to "give something back" to charity. Sophie sits on the Grants and Finance sub-committees, and alongside the trustees is involved in shaping Glasspool's strategy.

“Glasspool has not only opened my eyes to the day-to-day struggle of thousands of individuals, but it’s given me the opportunity to work alongside and learn from intelligent, thoughtful and passionate people. I'm grateful to them for teaching me better ways to think, hear and express ideas. Openly exploring what we are trying to achieve and critically evaluating how we do it has been the most fulfilling journey of my professional career, and has constructively impacted the way I approach all aspects of my work and personal life.”

Jacinta Belai, Trustee and Deputy Chair of Grants Sub-committee:
Jacinta is a philanthropy advisor and researcher on best practice in helping people find clarity and direction to enable them to engage in their philanthropy. She is a volunteer at a foodbank and a mentor to students at the Centre for Charity Effectiveness and UnLtd, the foundation for social entrepreneurs.

Jacinta has been a trustee director at Glasspool since 2018, and is deputy chair of the Grants Sub-Committee. She is a member of the ACO’s PR Communications group and a member of the 360Giving steering committee focused on enhancing transparency and effectiveness in grant making.

“Being a trustee director has been a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. It’s made all the more special by the deep commitment of the staff and fellow board members, who are driven to achieving the best for its beneficiaries amidst an ever-challenging environment. I feel very proud to be part of the growing Glasspool family, where kindness, rigour and integrity are threaded throughout.”

Denise Lenton, Trustee and Deputy Chair of Human Resources Committee:
Denise is a HR professional with many years of experience in the public sector, mainly with London boroughs but also with district councils. As well as being CIPD qualified, Denise is a trained coach and counsellor. When Denise was approached to conduct a review of Glasspool’s HR policies and procedures, she was so impressed with its work, she decided to become a trustee. 

“I wanted to get involved with Glasspool because it’s a “no-frills” charity with low operating costs, yet delivering grants effectively and efficiently. I can still scarcely believe that Glasspool can receive a grant application on Monday and have a washing machine delivered and fitted by Friday. That must relieve so much stress from a family or individual under pressure.”

Louise McCarthy, Trustee:
Through her career as a Welfare Rights Officer and Housing Advisor, Louise has seen first-hand the struggles people face and the barriers they have to overcome, in order to move forward with their lives.  After seeing the impact Glasspool grants had, Louise decided to become a trustee.

“Volunteering for Glasspool is both rewarding and enjoyable. The team is driven by a shared commitment to the objectives of the charity and I find the energy of the trustee meetings to be positive and invigorating.”

Staff

Julie Green, Chief Executive, Glasspool Charity Trust:
In 2016, Julie was appointed as Glasspool’s Chief Executive. During her time at the charity, Julie has built collaborative partnerships across the grant-giving sector and developed pilot programmes to increase the impact of Glasspool’s grant giving. 

Julie was a trustee at the membership body, Association of Charitable Organisations for six years, stepping down at the end of her term in 2022. Active in the community, Julie co-founded the Queens Boundary Community, an initiative set up in 2012 to develop community cohesion in Walthamstow, and she currently volunteers at a food bank and a community café in Waltham Forest. Julie has years of experience in grant-making, community and business development gained through roles at Greenwich and Lambeth Councils, the Camelot Foundation, the MS Society, and HCT Group.

“Working in a small team means that no one day is the same.  I’m passionate about Glasspool’s direct impact on those facing hardship and proud to be in a team of dedicated and talented staff and trustees.”

Emily Crawford, Head of Innovation & Impact:
Emily Crawford joined Glasspool in August 2021. Her background is largely in evaluation consultancy and research working with social purpose organisations. Her policy experience includes financial capability, health and care, education and welfare to work policy.

Since joining Glasspool she has completed the first structured evaluation of Glasspool’s primary grants programme, Essential Living Fund. She has also worked with The Drapers’ Company to develop a new grants programme that builds on lessons from the evaluation and Glasspool’s pilot programmes. Over the past year, Emily has supported the senior leadership and the Board through a strategic review process to refresh Glasspool’s vision and outcomes and collaboratively develop a strategic plan for implementation from 2023.

“The best thing about working at Glasspool is knowing our small grants make a real difference to people’s lives – and having Trustees who are keen to enhance that impact.”

Nicole Woodward, Grants Officer:
Nicole has worked at Glasspool since 2007, starting at the Trust when applications were received in the post. Nicole has seen many changes over the years, including the digitalisation of the grant application process resulting in applications now being processed in as little as five days. Nicole manages the Assistant Grants Officer and is responsible for overseeing all of the grant programmes.

“I’m proud to work for a trust that makes such a difference. Over the last 16 years, I’ve been able to assist in getting millions of pounds worth of grants and white goods to people facing hardship. That’s my motivation.”

Joe Simpson, Assistant Grants Officer:
Joe processes all grant applications to Glasspool. Since November 2021, Joe splits his time between Glasspool and the Teaching Staff Trust, an organisation that provides hardship grants to those who work in education. Before that, Joe was at college studying digital journalism.

“I’m lucky I get to work with a lovely team and I’m learning so much from them. Working at Glasspool has opened my eyes to the struggles people face. I’m proud to work for an organisation that helps people.”