Meet the people who make it happen
Meet the small but mighty team! A compact crew with a shared passion for making a difference, united by purpose and ready to roll up sleeves in support of incredible charities across the UK.
Our operations team
Katie Gibson
CEO
Over the last few years Katie has been instrumental in the Foundation starting as an Ambassador, moving to Relationship Manager & Fundraiser and now taking the role of CEO.
Having seen the positive impact that Focus Foundation has already made on people’s lives, she feels privileged to be leading the Foundation to reach its full potential.
“I find great fulfilment in working for Focus Foundation, knowing everything we do, directly supports grassroots charities in making a real difference to the community. Visiting charities often makes me feel humble, I remember how many wonderful people, that care about others, there are in the world, and this fuels my passion to give more back to the community.”
Mandi Stanley
Grants & Charity Manager
Mandi has an entrepreneurial spirit which is why she is drawn to supporting businesses during their initial establishment and growth phases. Mandi has a heart for charity and looks forward to putting her skills to good use to accelerate the Foundation’s ambitions.
“I have the awesome job of helping small charities through the grant application process, choosing the projects that will make the biggest difference in their communities, and then seeing firsthand the positive impact of the projects I’ve supported.”
Julie Billings (Jules)
Marketing & Communications Manager
With over twenty years’ experience in marketing, campaigns and project management across a range of industries and businesses, Jules has joined us to strengthen the team and drive the marketing and communications for the Foundation.
“Working at Focus Foundation gives me the purpose I’ve been searching for. I get to use my skills to share stories that matter, celebrate the people behind them, and help shine a light on the life-changing work we do. It’s creative, meaningful, and no two days are ever the same, which I absolutely love! Being part of a team that’s so passionate and driven makes it even better. Honestly, it feels pretty special to wake up and know your work is making a real difference to so many.”
Charlotte Pook
Ops Manager & EA to the Board of Trustees
Charlotte has over 20 years of experience as a Personal and Executive Assistant in the insurance and telecommunications industries. Joining Focus in 2018, she excels in high-pressure environments and multitasking. In 2020, she helped establish the Foundation and has now rejoined the team to support Operations and the Trustees.
“I love my job because I get to oversee and streamline projects that are both impactful and fulfilling. Every day, I have the opportunity to ensure our initiatives run smoothly and effectively, making a tangible difference in the communities we support. This role allows me to combine my passion for operational excellence with my commitment to meaningful work, and that brings me immense satisfaction.”
Amy Norris
Finance Coordinator
Trustees
Chris Goodman
Co-founder
Co-Founder of Focus Group, Chris has been instrumental in championing a series of initiatives within the business, these include Employee Wellbeing, Environmental Impact and Community Fundraising. Chris is particularly passionate about removing the stigma of mental health in the workplace.
Elaine Goodman
Co-founder
Elaine has led the Charity & Community team at Focus Group for the past 3 years. With a BA in Business & Event Management and over 10 years working in training and development, Elaine has both the enthusiasm and practical experience needed to develop Focus Foundation.
David Hill
Trustee
David lives and breathes the world of events, marketing and fundraising. Over the last fifteen years, he has focused his career on helping local and national charities to develop their income generation strategy and heighten their profile. David has developed a portfolio of large events, including the leading family pantomime in Brighton and the UK’s biggest outdoor gin and food festival.
Emma Stroude
Trustee
Emma is a passionate fundraiser who has dedicated much of her spare time supporting local charities. She brings a mixture of commercial experience, events management and training skills from her previous career with Virgin Atlantic.
Emma is thrilled to be part of the team on this exciting journey.
Our ambassadors
Heidi Skerritt
Ambassador
Heidi & Richard Skerritt have a long history of supporting charitable causes. Richard’s business, Skerritts Consultants has raised hundreds of thousands over the last 30 years. Heidi brings with her bags of energy and an eye for adding ‘wow factor’ to any of our fundraising events.
Nicola Ramsdale
Ambassador
Nicola is thrilled to be an ambassador for the Focus Foundation, promoting its vital work. Nicola is committed to supporting charities that have the community, mental health and young people at the heart of what they do, and is delighted to be working alongside Chris, Elaine and the team to raise awareness and change lives.
Our junior ambassadors
Ben Macleod
Children’s Ambassador
Ben, an enthusiastic 11-year-old from Inverness, has a passion for Pokémon and a big heart for helping others. He went above and beyond for the Foundation by organising a raffle at his village fête, securing fantastic prize donations from local businesses and raising an impressive £265.
As a proud ambassador, Ben loves having a voice in choosing which charities receive funding. He thoughtfully selected the most recent one in memory of his friend who sadly passed away from cancer.
Vincent Baker
Children’s Ambassador
Vincent, a lively 6-year-old from Brighton, is a budding football star with a big heart. His passion for the sport inspired his choice of fundraiser during the summer holidays, where he raised an incredible £270 by asking friends and family to sponsor him to score the football into as many footgolf holes as he could. Vincent is always eager to support the Foundation whenever he gets the chance.
Our patrons
Andrew Bernardi
Patron
Patron of Focus Foundation, Andrew Bernardi has dedicated many years to fundraising for causes close to the community he calls home. Andrew brings a wealth of passion for social mobility and particularly promotes the transformative nature of performance across the world, beyond benefiting the local community.
Anita Dobson
Patron
Anita, a distinguished figure in both stage and screen, is widely celebrated for her philanthropic endeavours, notably her unwavering commitment to children’s charities and causes. With her extensive experience, Anita enriches our Foundation, serving as a recurring judge at our Winter Ball. We are thrilled to welcome her as a patron, joining Andrew in this pivotal role.
Our volunteers
Hiedi Crawford
Volunteer
“Volunteering with the Focus Foundation is a meaningful way for me to give back while supporting an exceptional team dedicated to helping grassroots charities to create lasting, positive change in their communities.
By offering my time and skills, I play a part in ensuring these organisations receive the essential support they need to grow and thrive. It’s incredibly rewarding and a true privilege to contribute to a mission that has such a tangible and transformative impact.”
Claire Griffin
Volunteer
“Focus Foundation are doing fantastic work to support grassroots charities. It’s very rewarding to know that I’m helping in some way by assisting with the many grant applications they receive; there are some truly amazing charities out there doing vital work in their communities. And it’s a pleasure to work with lovely team of people who are passionate about what they do.”
Chloe Neilson-Hopkins
Volunteer
“I’ve been working in the charity sector for over 12 years, fundraising for Sussex based and national charities. I love Focus Foundation’s ethos of striving to help charities beyond just the grant-making, the team are all so passionate too. This is what inspired me to join their volunteer team.”