Meet The Team
We are small but MIGHTY!
We operate with a lean staff team supported by seasonal recruitment of fixed-term employees, interns, and volunteers. In 2022, our team consisted of over 30 individuals!
Ignite! is also supported by its board of trustees made up of nine professionals who add value through their wide variety of expertise and guidance.
Click the button below to find out about current opportunities to work with and support Ignite!
Sarah Walley
Operations Manager
Megan Shore
Programmes Manager
Tim Hatton
Development Manager
You can contact our staff using the Contact form
Elaine Winter
Creative Practitioner - Curious Tots
Melanie Wheeler
Community Programmes Lead
Catriona Kelly
Programmes Officer
Beth Kisby
Programmes Assistant
Ignite! Trustees
You can contact the Board of Trustees using board@ignitefutures.org.uk
Chrys Allen
Fine Artist
Ignite! Trustee since May 2020.
Joe Burton (chair)
Head of Mentoring at Arts Emergency
Alastair Gibbons
Senior Portfolio Manager at the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Karen Lindley (treasurer)
Finance & School Business Manager
Antony Bellekom
Creative consultant and former Managing Editor of BBC Radio 2 & BBC 6 Music.
Ignite! Trustee since May 2020.
Diane Gelon
Lawyer
Jo Hardy
Director of Innovation at TTS
Emma Sawula
Consultant in HR and Organisational Development
Very special mentions
Rick Hall
FOUNDER OF IGNITE!
Rick founded Ignite! in 2006 and, after 16 years of leadership, retired in 2022.
Rick continues to playfully and provocatively promote an approach to education that recognises the value of curiosity and creativity in promoting lifelong, self-empowered learning. One of the (many) reasons that Rick is so special is the relationships that he fosters and maintains through his openness and generosity of spirit. Rick is an enduring mentor and aspirational figure to many – many of whom appreciate the pivotal role he has played in their lives.
When Ignite! staff and trustees ponder a problem, we ask, "What would Rick do?"
Read Rick's "Notes on Retirement" here.
Cathy Bereznicki
FORMER CHAIR OF IGNITE!
Our wonderful Cathy died in February 2016, aged 62, following heart surgery. She was a champion of opportunities for young people and dedicated so much energy and enthusiam to the work of Ignite!.
Cathy was a long-serving member of the west London choir the Addison Singers and performed regularly at their concerts.
We continue our work at Ignite! in Cathy's honour, to bring creativity and opportunities to children and young people. Cathy lives on within Ignite!.
Read more about Cathy's life and work here: