|
|
|
James Basden
|
|
I am one of the founders of Corven, a Group involved in a wide range of activities ranging from management consulting, corporate finance and private equity. I act as a senior adviser to the boards of a number of FTSE 100 companies on subjects ranging from growth strategy to performance improvements.
I have been involved in VSF from the start, primarily because VSF helps fill considerable skills gaps that philanthropic organisations often find difficult to acquire. This enables such organisations to be more successful at delivering their services to target audiences, so making a major and positive impact on society. I have been closely involved with helping Turners Court Youth Trust, an organisation which aims to enable children and young people to reach their full potential and to work with parents and carers to fulfil their role and responsibilities.
I am married to Sarah and outside of work enjoy cricket and spending time at our cottage in Devon.
|
|
Peter Coe
|
|
I was drawn to VSF in its earliest days by the thought that this was a not-for-profit enterprise attempting something entirely new and yet very worthwhile, and also by its relatively small scale compared with the established charities. Still true today, it means one individual can make a big difference both to the Forum and the organisations it supports – and get great satisfaction in return for time well spent.
In my every day work, I am the lead trainer at Media Speak, a communications consultancy I co-founded in 2001 after a career in every branch of the news media. I have been seen most recently as a regular anchorman on BBC News 24, but I first appeared on British television in 1987 as finance correspondent for TV-am, before joining Sky News and subsequently BBC World television. Since 1993 I have personally coached hundreds of business leaders in Europe and the United States in media and presentation skills.
Beyond work and VSF, I enjoy the company of my wife and two boys, visiting new places and doing up neglected properties. My TV programme of the moment is Grand Designs Abroad.
|
|
Wanda Hellevang
|
|
I joined the Vital Spark Forum in December 2002 when the forum was just choosing its name and forming a clear idea of what it wanted to become. It was thrilling to see the VSF move from a discussion forum to a registered charity that had significant impact in providing charities with vital spark they needed. I was part of the team who lead the inaugural Skills Exchange in June 2003 with 80 professionals in attendance and 5 charities being exhibited. It has been tremendously fulfilling to see charities benefit through spreading the word and understanding of The Encephalitis Society, to developing a PR film for Community Links, to finding a lawyer for the board of trustees of a youth group charity to supporting the Cancer Counselling Trust in fund raising events. At minimum our charities receive free publicity to a niche market of keen, highly-skilled professionals. From there the benefits they receive can be in expanding their expertise in many different areas such as law, marketing and PR, fund raising, and information technology.
The VSF not only provides a benefit to the charities, but also to those who volunteer. I have had some great experiences expanding and honing my skills in leadership, project management, PR, diplomacy, influencing, team building and facilitation. We require skills in many areas of management and welcome people who are keen to support others and give back to their community. The Vital Spark Forum has been an ideal platform for me to do so.
|
|
Sally-Ann Johnson
|
|
My career background is in finance/marketing and I currently work in knowledge management for a firm of consultants in the City.
I wanted give something back by volunteering for charity work. Through attending a Vital Spark Forum, I became involved with Cancer Counselling Trust (CCT). I knew instantly I wanted to support them; everyone at CCT is so passionate about what they do.
That was two years ago. In that time I have worked on a team of volunteers to provide CCT with guidance in business strategy, fundraising and marketing, and generally act as a commercial sounding-board. We have staged two highly successful quiz nights in a City pub, attracting around 100 people and raising around £2000 per time, not to mention having lots of fun and making new friends along the way.
It’s very rewarding and everyone who participates wins. By popular demand we hosting our third CCT quiz night scheduled for January 06!
|
|
Kevan Jones
|
|
I am one of the founders of Corven, a UK/USA based management consulting and investment firm as well as being on the Board of Trustees of two charities.
I joined VSF because I fundamentally believe that there is a real benefit for all professionals who support charities and many charities have the need for professional support - a genuine win-win.
When I am not in a suit, I am at home with my wife, our son and my toys in our garage.
|
|
Renata Lima
|
|
I have been working with the Vital Spark Forum since 2005 and am excited to be now heading the Communications and Development efforts in VSF's new phase of growth.
VSF's mission is one of unvaluable potential to both charities and to people who are willing to help while learning in the process, and we are committed to keep attracting a wealth of enthusiastic, creative and experienced people to our project.
Whilst VSF is my night-time job, I have been working in Barclays Capital for the past couple of years, currently as a part of the Public Sector Solutions group. My previous work experience includes project management forthe Dutch NGO FairFood, independant consultancy and a few years as a corporate lawyer with Baker&McKenzie in Brazil.
|
|
David Livesey
|
|
My career has been in higher education, mainly in the University of Cambridge, where I was for twelve years, until 2003, Secretary General of the Faculties and before that for many years I taught economics within management studies. I remain a Fellow of Emmanuel College and am currently Secretary-General of the League of European Research Universities.
In the past two years I have developed a portfolio of roles in the voluntary sector. These include: Chairman of the Trustees of Cambridge & District Citizens Advice Bureau; Trustee of Citizens Advice; Trustee of the Bedford Charity: and Chairman of the Board of Vital Spark Forum.
I was attracted to my role in VSF by the combination of the enormous benefit that the members of the VSF Bank of Talent bring to the charities and NGOs with which they work and the great challenge that there is in successfully initiating, developing and sustaining these partnerships in a way in which the individuals involved are able to commit for only so long as they are able to do so but those with whom they work have certainty that what is promised is delivered. The voluntary sector is full of challenges but some of those faced by VSF are particulary challenging and therefore especially rewarding.
The Caspari Foundation is the charity for which I act as the Vital Spark liaison officer. For them Vital Spark has recently provided strategic advice about fund raising, governance and IT.
|
|
Sam Mazloum
|
|
I believe that the highest goal man can achieve is to be of service to mankind in every aspect of his life. It may not be something I have managed to perfect, but it is something I strive for every day (well at least most days). I take this belief with me to my day job as a management consultant, it is the guiding principle in the way I interact with my friends, family and strangers alike and it is why I am a member of Vital Spark.
A friend of mine had been supporting a charity called Nu Skool, working with under-privileged children to develop their interpersonal skills, build confidence and encourage their creative talents through courses in multimedia arts such as record production, performance poetry and song writing. As with many new charities, they have a great energy and sense of purpose but needed help in areas from creating promotional material to developing a business plan. My role was simply to bring Nu Skool and Vital Spark together. Following a presentation from Nu Skool at a Skills Exchange a number of people offered to help and are now engaged in helping bridge some of those skills gaps as well as just lending an extra pair of hands when required.
It gives me a real sense that I’m doing something positive whenever I’m around them and it offers them a chance to use the skills of people that they wouldn’t normally have access to – a perfect match.
|
|
Susan Oldman
|
|
I am the Marketing Manager at Corven, one of Vital Sparks corporate sponsors. At Corven I am responsible for all aspects of the marketing spectrum including PR, events, web development and internal communications. Within Vital Spark I donate my time to the Communication Task Force contributing to the running of this website and other communication initiatives.
I my spare time I like to make the most of living in London and also travel as much as possible.
|
|
Manouchehr Yazhari
|
|
During my career I have mostly worked with in the health industry and I have lived in a number of countries to manage related businesses. In this field I have also been actively involved in development of community partnership programmes, bringing together government authorities, universities, the private sector, not for profit and non governmental organisations. I am also engaged in the promotion of ethical entrepreneurship and values in business.
I am a founding member, chief executive and on the board of trustees of Vital Spark Forum, where I work in an atmosphere of enthusiasm, creativity, drive and commitment created by our members.
My wife Mary (who is an accomplished artist) and I have three children and enjoy travelling as much as time permits.
|
|
|
