FoodCycle Staff Team

Senior Management Team

Mary McGrath

Chief Executive

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Mary McGrath

she/her

Chief Executive

Mary has been CEO of FoodCycle since September 2013, when it was made up of 14 Projects. She is passionate about building communities and enabling people to connect with each other over good food. She loves talking about FoodCycle and the amazing people she has met during her time at the charity and wakes every day excited about the challenges that FoodCycle will help to tackle. “I am so privileged to be the CEO of such a fantastic charity. Every day I meet the most amazing people, be it guests or volunteers who walk through our doors or donors who generously donate as they believe in what we are doing. I love the fact we tackle so many challenges, from building communities to food waste. I know first-hand that the power of good food is phenomenal.”

Favourite meal: Baba ghanoush

Favourite fruit: Tomato

Favourite vegetable: Potatoes

Victoria Meier

Head of Fundraising

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Victoria Meier

she/her

Head of Fundraising

With an extensive background in raising funds for charities large and small, Victoria has a passion for the environment and sustainable food which she is delighted to bring to the fore in fundraising for FoodCycle. She began her career in international development, with roles at Oxfam and Practical Action. She then moved into the environment sector, working at WWF. From there it was a natural progression into the world of farm animal welfare and sustainable food production, securing major gifts for Compassion in World Farming. When not working, Victoria enjoys a spot of Pilates and Zumba.

Favourite meal: Aubergine Parmigiana

Favourite fruit: Apricot

Favourite vegetable: Courgette

Karen Hamilton

Head of Programmes (Maternity Cover)

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Karen Hamilton

she/her

Head of Programmes (Maternity Cover)

Karen joined FoodCycle in August 2021. She has worked in the voluntary sector for 25 years, developing and leading policy and programmes, including work with older people, young care leavers, people with mental health support needs and disabled people. Every project she has developed has involved volunteers. Most recently she developed Dance to Health, a national falls prevention programme for older people. Previous organisations include Age UK and Volunteering Matters. She is passionate about volunteering and user-led community development – giving people a say in how to improve their local communities and supporting them to have a role in doing so. When Karen’s not working, it’s highly likely you’ll find her in the cinema.

Favourite meal: Sunday Roast (with extra gravy!)

Favourite fruit: Mango

Favourite vegetable: Broccoli

Carly Shutes

Head of Marketing

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Carly Shutes

she/her

Head of Marketing

Carly found her passion for communications whilst studying at university and has since held marketing roles across a variety of sectors including travel and tourism, retail and the charity sector. With a passion for food, people and creating meaningful connections, FoodCycle aligns very closely with her own personal values. Outside of work she classes herself as an adventure seeker and can often be found swimming in lakes, exploring the countryside or climbing mountains with her rescue dog.

Favourite meal: Traditional Sunday roast

Favourite fruit: Strawberry

Favourite vegetable: Broccoli

Finance and Development Team

Helen Campbell

Finance Manager

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Helen Campbell

she/her

Finance Manager

Helen joined FoodCycle as Finance Manager in September 2017 and is based in our head office in London. She has worked in charities of various sizes since 1998 in a range of roles, primarily in finance, administration and supporter care. Helen is passionate about using her skills to help bring an end to poverty. She loves food as long as she doesn’t have to cook it – though she is a dab hand at baking cheese scones!

Favourite meal: Red Thai curry or pasta and cheese

Favourite fruit: Raspberry

Favourite vegetable: Parsnip

Minal Nashikkar

Finance Officer

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Minal Nashikkar

she/her

Finance Officer

Minal Joined FoodCycle as Finance Officer in June 2021. She is passionate about food and very sensitive to the issue of food wastage and hunger. Professionally, she has worked in finance departments in firms big and small. She lives with her husband and teen son in Kent and loves being outdoors in the parks and travelling.

Favourite meal: Crisp Sandwich

Favourite fruit: Papaya

Favourite vegetable: Cucumber

Pamela Walker

Development Manager

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Pamela Walker

she/her

Development Manager

Pamela has been supporting volunteers and developing volunteer-led services in the Midlands for over thirty years, most recently with older persons’ charity Re-Engage. Pamela has a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology, and lives in Birmingham with her husband and son, and pets Pusscat and Barney. Pamela spends her spare time trying to find the ultimate gluten and cornflour-free pastry recipe, and reading Golden Age detective fiction.

Favourite meal: Mushroom risotto

Favourite fruit: Oranges

Favourite vegetable: Cabbage

Alice Mabbott

Development Research Officer

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Alice Mabbott

she/her

Development Research Officer

Alice joined FoodCycle in April 2021 having graduated the previous summer from Goldsmiths, University of London with a BA in Sociology. Having worked in a supermarket, leading the food donations scheme, Alice was able to understand the potential of surplus food and its positive impact on a variety of local communities in East London and Essex. Her role at FoodCycle consequently combines her research skills gained at university with her knowledge of extensive national food wastage to support the wider mission of FoodCycle to nourish communities with surplus food. Outside of work, Alice enjoys watching Formula 1 and would one day love to go to Silverstone to see the British Grand Prix in person!

Favourite meal: Roast dinner

Favourite fruit: Strawberry

Favourite vegetable: Parsnip

Training, Recruitment and Check-in and Chat Team

Andrea Romero O’Brien

Check-in and Chat Manager

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Andrea Romero O’Brien

she/her

Check-in and Chat Manager

Originally from Spain (and half-Scottish), Andrea completed her degree in Humanities at the University of Alcalá in Madrid after her year “abroad” at the University of St. Andrews. She joined FoodCycle as soon as she moved back to the UK in 2018 to give back to her local community by sharing her love for cooking, supporting our Greater Manchester Projects and the Marketing Team with social media in the North West. Andrea now coordinates our Check-in and Chat service, providing vital support to our guests during these challenging times. Outside of work you can find Andrea illustrating, hanging out in her favourite cat café and bargain-hunting in her local charity shops!

Favourite meal: My Dad's Paella

Favourite fruit: Tangerine

Favourite vegetable: Garlic

Nicola Lake

Training and Recruitment Manager

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Nicola Lake

she/her

Training and Recruitment Manager

Nicola is passionate about volunteering and has previously held roles managing and supporting volunteers for the Royal Photographic Society and the British Red Cross. As an everyday eco-warrior who loves to cook, Nicola is very happy to be working with FoodCycle to help reduce food waste and bring people together over a delicious, healthy meal. In her spare time, Nicola volunteers with LibriVox helping to record free public domain audiobooks, and enjoys travelling and generally being active outdoors!

Favourite meal: Indian curry

Favourite fruit: Oranges

Favourite vegetable: Sweet Potato

West Midlands Team

Jody Beswick

Regional Manager – West Midlands

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Jody Beswick

he/him

Regional Manager - West Midlands

Jody joined FoodCycle at the start of May 2020, and his role involves sourcing, arranging collection and redistribution of surplus food to those in need. Having previously worked at 3 big supermarket chains in a management role, he has seen first-hand the levels of food waste. In his spare time he enjoys nothing more than riding his motorcycle into the north of Wales and taking in the scenic routes.

Favourite meal: Thai Green Curry

Favourite fruit: Lychee

Favourite vegetable: Broccoli

Helena Searle

Project Support Officer – West Midlands

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Helena Searle

she/her

Project Support Officer - West Midlands

Helena joined the team in July 2021. She studied Food and Consumer Management BSc at University College Birmingham. Helena has worked in various roles within the food industry and has seen first-hand the levels of food waste that occur. After a stint working in a supermarket and volunteering for FoodCycle, she wanted to do something more and values being able to make a positive change in her role as project support officer. During her spare time she loves to experiment in the kitchen, go on foraging walks and relax in the garden with her husband and cat.

Favourite meal: Anything Asian inspired

Favourite fruit: Apples - British and pink

Favourite vegetable: Courgettes

East Team

Sam Disney

Regional Manager – East

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Sam Disney

she/her

Regional Manager - East

Sam joined FoodCycle in 2019 as the Regional Manager for the East. She has 10 years of experience in public health, covering a wide range of topics including physical activity, smoking cessation and sexual health. Sam’s passion for health and wellbeing aligns with our commitment to bring people together and provide a healthy nutritious meal. In her spare time, she loves to bake at home and is an avid GBBO and Australian Masterchef fan.

Favourite meal: Spaghetti Bolognese

Favourite fruit: Kiwi

Favourite vegetable: Broccoli

Sarah Mann

Project Support Officer – East

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Sarah Mann

she/her

Project Support Officer - East

Sarah joined FoodCycle as a Project Support Officer in October 2021. Previously she worked for a not-for-profit children’s play organisation with a focus on behavioural concerns, mental health, well-being and safeguarding. She is passionate about the importance of mealtimes being shared with others and creating opportunities for conversation and inclusion. In her spare time Sarah has a love of gardening and often loses track of time when on a mission with her gardening tools and an end result in mind.

South West Team

Alex Hatherly

Area Manager – Southern England and Wales

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Alex Hatherly

she/her

Area Manager - Southern England and Wales

Alex joined the team in November 2019 after studying Nutrition in Leeds and starting her career in food product development as a biscuit designer. She then worked for Tesco, running the community cookery school in partnership with Fareshare and Jamie Oliver, and after hearing about the great work FoodCycle do through the students she was teaching, she got on board! When Alex isn’t running the South West Projects, you can find her in the many vintage shops in Bristol or on the netball court.

Favourite meal: A hefty vegan burger and chips

Favourite fruit: Satsuma

Favourite vegetable: Aubergine

Hanako Lander

Project Support Officer – South West

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Hanako Lander

she/her

Project Support Officer - South West

Hanako joined FoodCycle as a Project Support Officer in January 2022. She has always been passionate about food, and originally trained and worked as a chef focusing particularly on sustainability. She then spent two years volunteering around the world, connecting with local communities, expanding her knowledge of food culture and languages. Hanako is thrilled to be supporting Projects that align with her passions of food, community, and wellness. In her free time, she loves hiking, yoga and trying out new recipes!

Favourite meal: Roast Dinner

Favourite fruit: Watermelon

Favourite vegetable: Garlic

London Team

Alix Guerber

Area Manager – London

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Alix Guerber

she/her

Area Manager - London

Alix joined FoodCycle in August 2019. Before FoodCycle, she worked for GoodGym, a charity that aims to combine keeping fit and volunteering to reduce social isolation and loneliness. Alix has a passion for volunteering communities and what they can achieve. When she isn’t working, she can mostly be found running in London parks and volunteering for Bloody Good Period, an organisation that provides period products to refugees and asylum seekers.

Favourite meal: crêpes

Favourite fruit: Mango

Favourite vegetable: Broccoli

Becca Ketley

Regional Manager

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Becca Ketley

she/her

Regional Manager

Becca joined FoodCycle in January 2021, after being a volunteer Project Leader at the FoodCycle Hackney project since May 2018. Becca has experience in the charity sector providing information management support to emergencies in the UK and oversees and coordinating volunteer response. She most recently worked on the Voluntary and Community Sector Emergencies Partnership with the British Red Cross in response to Covid-19. Outside of work she can be found crafting, cooking and facilitating cooking classes with Migrateful, an organisation that supports refugees, migrants and asylum seekers to teach cooking classes.

Favourite meal: Ramen/anything Japanese

Favourite fruit: Banana

Favourite vegetable: Aubergine

Francesca Selwood

Regional Manager

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Francesca Selwood

she/her

Regional Manager

Francesca joined FoodCycle in February 2020 as an Office Administrator. She has recently graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in English and Philosophy. Having volunteered at a sustainable eco-farm in Italy, she’s gained first-hand experience of the role that food plays in bringing communities together. She’s keen to get stuck in at the London Projects and share her passion for cooking, whilst supporting the FoodCycle team in the Head Office. In her free time, she enjoys going hiking, trying new foods and going to see live music.

Favourite meal: Veggie Lasagne

Favourite fruit: Mango

Favourite vegetable: Tenderstem Broccoli

Emily Macauley Wilcox

Project Support Officer – London

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Emily Macauley Wilcox

she/her

Project Support Officer - London

Emily joined FoodCycle in July 2021 as London Project Support Officer. As an experienced community volunteer, she knows the huge impact volunteering communities can have. Recently, she’s been helping out at The Lewisham Donation Hub and Sitopia Farm, an urban regenerative agriculture project. Emily studied French History at university in Paris, and since returning to London has worked in programme support for global health and development organisations.

Favourite meal: North African food, or a fresh, homemade arrabbiata!

Favourite fruit: Mango

Favourite vegetable: Cauliflower

Olivia Hobbs

London Project Support Intern

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Olivia Hobbs

she/her

London Project Support Intern

Olivia has joined FoodCycle as an intern for the summer of 2022. She will be a third year in the fall and is studying Public Affairs at the University of California, Los Angeles. Olivia has been focused on writing policies in her classes that mainly relate to what leads to food insecurity and ways in which it can be combated. While not working or studying, Olivia enjoys walking outside, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Favourite meal: Salmon

Favourite fruit: Blueberries

Favourite vegetable: Baby Cauliflower

North (East, West, Yorkshire and Teeside)

Harry Barham

Northern Area Manager and Systems Development Coordinator

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Harry Barham

he/his

Northern Area Manager and Systems Development Coordinator

Harry joined us in March 2018 and has always enjoyed working with volunteers to make a positive change in communities, previously for both charities and campaigns around the UK. He’s also FoodCycle’s resident tech-nerd, and has spent alot of time in his career tinkering with websites and databases. Beyond his work with FoodCycle, Harry likes to disappear-off to the middle of nowhere with his wife and his dog Bessie, or listen to his record collection at home with his cats.

Favourite meal: Lasagne

Favourite fruit: Satsuma

Favourite vegetable: Parsnip

Ian Winstanley

Regional Manager – North West

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Ian Winstanley

he/him

Regional Manager - North West

Ian joined FoodCycle as Regional Hubs Manager in February 2017. He manages our Projects in Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool. Before joining FoodCycle, Ian spent 19 years with the learning disability charity Mencap, working with local groups and organisations at a community level across the North West. Ian enjoys cooking, especially curries, and likes walking and camping in the quiet places.

Favourite meal: Thali

Favourite fruit: Strawberry

Favourite vegetable: Mushrooms

Mathew Milner

Regional Manager – Yorkshire and Teeside

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Mathew Milner

he/him

Regional Manager - Yorkshire and Teeside

Mathew joined the team in June 2021 as Regional Manager in Yorkshire & Teesside. As a Business Management graduate, he has also had experience working with community focused projects such as NCS and Census 2021. He is passionate about the difference volunteers can make in their communities, and outside of work volunteers with Central Yorkshire Scouts to support the delivery of Skills for Life to Young People in Leeds & Wakefield. He can always be found outside, be that the garden, a campsite or the Dales. A lover of good walks and great coffee!

Favourite meal: A Neapolitan Pizza

Favourite fruit: Strawberry

Favourite vegetable: Potato

Lisa Jessup

Project Support Officer – North West

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Lisa Jessup

she/her

Project Support Officer - North West

Lisa joined FoodCycle in September 2021 as North Project Support Officer and is now putting her 20 years of food retail experience with the likes of Co-op to great use, to continue fighting food waste. She enjoys working in the charity sector, as it brings her closer to people and allows her to connect more with local communities. Lisa is also a baby massage instructor one morning a week, which shares lots of the same values as Foodcycle – bringing local people together for a natter and a brew! She’s also an ambassador for Tropic skincare, which has not only totally transformed her skin, but encourages her to step out of her comfort zone and go live to her Facebook community. In her spare time, she loves looking after her mini zoo (currently two tortoises and two cats – a puppy soon to be added if her husband comes round to the idea!) and baking with the kids, usually taking inspiration from her mum, who does the best lemon drizzle cake ever!

Favourite meal: Spaghetti Bolognese and cheesy garlic bread

Favourite fruit: Passionfruit

Favourite vegetable: Sweet Potato

Zara Borji Pour

Project Support Officer – North

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Zara Borji Pour

she/her

Project Support Officer - North

Zara and joined FoodCycle in May 2021 as Project Support Administrator for the North of England. She studied accounting and have a passion for helping others. During the pandemic Zara volunteered at the COVID-19 vaccination clinics and she now enjoys supporting the FoodCycle team with current and upcoming Projects. In her free time she enjoys going to the gym and cooking/baking.

Favourite meal: Sunday Roast Dinner

Favourite fruit: Coconut

Favourite vegetable: Cauliflower

Fundraising Team

Tom Osborne

Trusts and Foundations Manager

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Tom Osborne

he/him

Trusts and Foundations Manager

Tom joined FoodCycle in November 2019 as Trusts and Foundations Manager. He spent the previous six years (bar an eight-month jaunt around South and Central America) working in Trusts and Foundations fundraising, securing income from all different types of funders. Tom joined FoodCycle because he is passionate about the environment and loves the unique way the charity brings people together. Outside of work, Tom is a long-suffering Fulham fan, loves running, long walks and is a bit of a politics obsessive

Favourite meal: Burnt Aubergine Chilli

Favourite fruit: Apples! I LOVE the English Apple season

Favourite vegetable: Red Peppers – I have been known to eat them like one would an apple

Jess Phillimore

Fundraising and Corporate Partnerships Manager

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Jess Phillimore

she/her

Fundraising and Corporate Partnerships Manager

Jess joined the FoodCycle team in August 2020. Jess is passionate about the role of communities in supporting the most vulnerable and believes in the power of a shared meal to bring people together. She was previously Corporate Partnerships Manager at children’s charity Coram, developing key partnerships with organisations including McCarthy & Stone. When she’s not working with the brilliant FoodCycle team and supporters, Jess loves exploring London on foot or by bike and going to art galleries. She is also a Trustee for the refugee education charity, refugeeEd.

Favourite meal: Veggie Lasagne

Favourite fruit: Mango

Favourite vegetable: Tender Stem Broccoli

Louise Gifford

Trusts & Foundations Officer

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Louise Gifford

she/her

Trusts & Foundations Officer

Louise joined FoodCycle in April 2022 with over twenty years’ experience working for a range of charities in project and volunteer management roles. More recently she has specialised in trust fundraising and is looking forward to securing income from Trusts and Foundations to support the growth of FoodCycle projects around the country. In her spare time, Louise loves cooking for family and friends and although she owns a vast library of recipe books she usually opts for the ‘Ready Steady Cook’ approach, in true FoodCycle fashion!

Favourite meal: Anything Middle Eastern

Favourite fruit: Oranges

Favourite vegetable: Aubergines

Marketing Team

Lucy Self

PR and Media Manager

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Lucy Self

she/her

PR and Media Manager

With almost 15 years’ experience in lifestyle brand communications, Lucy started her career as a journalist before moving into PR, social media management and marketing. Working with award-winning agencies across the world, she has done everything from lead communications for major brands such as Giraffe, Hakkasan, One&Only Resorts and Radisson Hotel Group to raise the profile of celebrity chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Dominque Ansel and Giorgio Locatelli. A passionate foodie, Lucy loves nothing better to cook, is a keen hiker and has recently qualified to teach Vinyasa Flow yoga. She is thrilled to have taken up her latest challenge by joining the FoodCycle family.

Favourite meal: Veggie spaghetti bolognaise

Favourite fruit: Apple

Favourite vegetable: Kale

Jess Fullerton

Marketing Officer

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Jess Fullerton

she/her

Marketing Officer

Jess joined FoodCycle in September 2020 as Office Administrator. She graduated from the University of East Anglia with a degree in International Development in 2019 where she learnt a wide scope of things including the effects of food poverty and the positive impact of sharing a healthy, nutritious meal alongside others. Jess has always been determined to work for a company committed to helping others and is really excited to provide support in the London office as well as develop the cooking skills she learned over the lockdown period at some of FoodCycle’s Projects!

Favourite meal: Sushi

Favourite fruit: Mango

Favourite vegetable: Cauliflower

Jen Molloy

Marketing Officer

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Jen Molloy

she/her

Marketing Officer

Jen joined FoodCycle in July 2021. Before joining the team, Jen worked at BBC Children in Need for three years, creating storytelling content and working closely with the projects and young people the charity funds. Jen loves working with people, eating great food and having a good chat, so FoodCycle felt like the perfect fit! When she’s not working, Jen enjoys playing lots of sport, learning Portuguese, making films, and eating Mexican food!

Favourite meal: Anything Mexican

Favourite fruit: Mango

Favourite vegetable: Red Pepper

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FoodCycle Staff Team

Senior Management Team

Mary McGrath

Chief Executive

Victoria Meier

Head of Fundraising

Karen Hamilton

Head of Programmes (Maternity Cover)

Carly Shutes

Head of Marketing

Finance and Development Team

Helen Campbell

Finance Manager

Minal Nashikkar

Finance Officer

Pamela Walker

Development Manager

Alice Mabbott

Development Research Officer

Training, Recruitment and Check-in and Chat Team

Andrea Romero O’Brien

Check-in and Chat Manager

Nicola Lake

Training and Recruitment Manager

West Midlands Team

Jody Beswick

Regional Manager - West Midlands

Helena Searle

Project Support Officer - West Midlands

East Team

Sam Disney

Regional Manager - East

Sarah Mann

Project Support Officer - East

South West Team

Alex Hatherly

Area Manager - Southern England and Wales

Hanako Lander

Project Support Officer - South West

London Team

Alix Guerber

Area Manager - London

Becca Ketley

Regional Manager

Francesca Selwood

Regional Manager

Emily Macauley Wilcox

Project Support Officer - London

Olivia Hobbs

London Project Support Intern

North (East, West, Yorkshire and Teeside)

Harry Barham

Northern Area Manager and Systems Development Coordinator

Ian Winstanley

Regional Manager - North West

Mathew Milner

Regional Manager - Yorkshire and Teeside

Lisa Jessup

Project Support Officer - North West

Zara Borji Pour

Project Support Officer - North

Fundraising Team

Tom Osborne

Trusts and Foundations Manager

Jess Phillimore

Fundraising and Corporate Partnerships Manager

Louise Gifford

Trusts & Foundations Officer

Marketing Team

Lucy Self

PR and Media Manager

Jess Fullerton

Marketing Officer

Jen Molloy

Marketing Officer

FoodCycle Head Office

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