Founders

Lindsey's business has looked after firms in the finance industry and across London for over 10 years; and with a background based in the hedge fund community starting Business2Schools was a natural way to address some of the sustainability and climate change goals businesses face. Lindsey is a Director at the Bishop Luffa CE Secondary School and a Trustee of the Oakley Community College. She has worked with the Schoolsworks Academy Trust for several years and is an Enterprise Ambassador for secondary school children. She has five children and is passionate about education, mentoring and the environment; as well as supporting young people and schools. Mayfair Quarters and Business2Schools has enabled Lindsey to create an initiative that supports everything that is important to her.

Jo has worked in office and administration management in many different sectors for 20+ years and has managed numerous office moves and renovations and is keen to get as many of her contacts within the real estate and financial community involved in the Business2Schools initiative. Having experienced first-hand how difficult it is to find new homes for surplus furniture and IT equipment, often under very tight deadlines, she was excited to be asked to be involved and share her experience and knowledge to grow the Business2Schools network, reducing unnecessary waste and supporting schools and their students.

Richard is an experienced Head Of Service Delivery with a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry. An excellent understanding of Banking technologies, Skilled in Service Desk, Telecommunications, Project Management as well as ITIL Certified. Strong operations professional with a Bsc (Hons) focused in Computer Science and Economics. Instrumental in setting up the Business2Schools process, Richard has ensured his firms replenished IT now supports schools in the UK.

Amelia has worked in the hedge fund industry for several years and she brings to Business2Schools a wealth of contacts from the finance community. Her experience in organising start-ups and office moves has definitely extended her passion for addressing ethical and environmental issues. Amelia also takes a personal interest in education and was immediately keen to be part of a CSR project that would enable children in our schools to be directly supported. Having seen first hand how furniture and tech she donated have improved infrastructure in two schools, Amelia is looking forward to seeing the initiative grow so that more schools will quickly benefit.

Philippa has been instrumental in setting up Business2Schools, with her passion for ensuring sustainable and environmental outcomes for everything in an office. From furniture and tech, to finding solutions for stationery and miscellaneous items that previously would be headed to landfill. As a former teacher, her enthusiasm for being part of an initiative that supports education and young people has been incredible. The impact of donations from her office alone, have made improvements to many schools already that otherwise would not have been possible.

Matthew advises and represents individuals, families, trusts, estates and companies on family law issues. He undertakes pro bono complex children's cases and is rated a 'star of the future' in Chambers and Partners. As a barrister at leading chambers, 1 Hare Court he has the experience of many years helping families to resolve disputes both in relation to the welfare of children and their educational needs. Educated at Croesyceiling Comprehensive & Haberdashers Monmouth, he has continued to go back to his school to encourage students interested in law. He runs taster sessions for aspirant lawyers in the City & Islington College. He studied at LSE, UCL and City University. He's a strong advocate for equal opportunities in education and life skills.

Stuart has been with ESRI (UK) Limited since July 2012, before which he served as Vice President of Pitney Bowes Europe. ESRI’s GIS mapping software is the most powerful mapping and spatial data analytics technology available. Stuart’s business supports The Outward Bound Trust and he feels passionately inspiring young people to fulfil their potential through challenging outdoor activities.

Merit was born over three decades ago to achieve service excellence by using their experience and expertise to provide each of their clients with a tailored solution that exceeds expectations. Sustainable solutions for replacing furniture has previously been an obstacle but Jamie has been instrumental in making sure their firm and their clients are always offered the opportunity to donate to the Business2Schools platform. Not only is it vital to their passion for saving things from landfill, but also for their determination to encourage those in the office design and furniture industry to support the education of young people throughout the UK.

Grant became a Principal at Hillier Hopkins in 1998. As well as having a portfolio of owner-managed businesses, the firm covers a range of industries inclucing education. They work with existing academy schools and converter schools, helping to successfully negotiate the conversion process and support them on their journey as a new academy. Business2Schools is an excellent platform to encourage much needed support for schools in the UK.

Graham's specialises in the provision of Managed Print Services helping businesses to realise efficiencies and reduce costs. Graham’s passion for education, sustainability and his expertise span three decades working for market leading manufacturers and independent service providers. He is keen to support Business2Schools in making sure business equipment reaches the end of it's purposeful life, so it can be re-purposed and re-homed in schools throughout the UK; saving valuable machines from going to landfill when they can be better used to improve the outcomes for students in full time education.

Jon Harrison is one of the pioneers of the digital industry credited with creating some of the very first computer games, he now runs a digital agency specialising in awards winning campaigns for mobile, web and tv. Jon also campaigns on green issues and is part of Love2bgreen, a company who specialise in getting children to be green ambassadors through a new animation series. Re-educating on single use and recycling are two key areas of their education strategy which is why business2Schools is a venture he couldn’t resist getting involved in.

Steve has been a teacher for over 25 years, moving to Amery Hill School in September 2018 as Headteacher. Having worked in a number of middle and senior leadership roles in Hampshire and Hertfordshire, Steve has seen first hand how a purposeful learning environment can make all the difference in inspiring a students learning. The Business2Schools charity has allowed Steve to think creatively about his school’s environment and look at further ways in which learning can be transformed through the offers of furnishings and equipment for his students and staff. Lindsey and her team have created something very special and unique which has the potential to revolutionise the way schools and business could work together in the future.

Austen joined Bishop Luffa School in September 2018, which was a school already with outstanding status. He has had a successful career in the senior leadership of schools in Portsmouth and Brighton and Hove. Although the school was high achieving there was ‘potential ‘ in particular areas for fresh ideas and he was therefore delighted to be involved along with students in the Business2Schools initiative which has already seen improvements to his school and feeder schools in West Sussex.

The very proud head of a thriving Secondary school in between Chichester and Emsworth. We have a clear ethos of preparing our students for life beyond school and giving them the skills and knowledge to be successful. We pride ourselves on being a Community School, locally, nationally and internationally and so are delighted to have been a partner right from the early days of Business 2Schools working with Lindsey and her team. It is exciting to be working together on such an amazingly simple but highly effective way forward for schools and businesses. Not only have we gained practically with new furniture and equipment, but more importantly, our students are gaining a strong sense of the ways Business and schools can work side by side on so many different levels.

Caroline took over as head at Colnbrook in September 2018. She has worked in special schools for over 10 years. Colnbrook is a special school in Hertfordshire which caters for pupils with Learning Difficulties, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Speech and Language Difficulties. She is proud of the collaboration with parents, families and other professionals to provide the very best opportunities for all the children . The school hugely value the opportunity to work with businesses and other stakeholders to ensure that the children feel safe, nurtured and comfortable in the school environment and are delighted to work with Business2Schools. The school has already seen the impact that the alliance is having in supporting the schools vision and ethos .

Philip took over as Head at Rose Green Junior Schools in 2013. By 2017 he had moved it from "Requires Improvement" to it's current "Good" status. Philip's passion is to help children reach their full academic potential. The Business2Schools project has helped accelerate learning in his school by providing much improved technology for children to work with.

Mike became headteacher at Sidlesham Primary School in September 2018. He has headship experience in both academy and maintained settings and is currently undertaking an MSc in Educational Leadership. Understanding the importance of school collaboration, Mike is a founder of the Martlet Hub; this is a collection of schools that work together in a variety of areas and support each other. He is now delighted to be involved in the Business2Schools initiative and hopes to provide an increased level of support to a number of schools, locally and nationally, so they can provide the best possible education for their children.

At Lancastrian we aim to provide the best possible start to every child's education. We work together with all stakeholders (staff, pupils, parents and governors) to ensure that children feel safe, nurtured and comfortable in the environment. We want all of our children to love learning, be inquisitive and strive to succeed in the best way that they can. We have a clear vision for the future and have embedded a Working With Others ethos in order to support our values. We are happy to support Business2Schools across the early years of education.

Christopher is in his final year of his degree at Kingston, looking to go into the finance or banking industry when he graduates in the summer of 2019. He has worked in a variety of London businesses throughout his studies and was keen to be part of an initiative that would have a more ethical and environmental interest in replenishing of IT and office furniture. The Business2Schools project has allowed him to utilise his accounting skills and be an integral part of a new business where sustainability will support schools and students in education. Christopher’s knowledge has enabled him to assist in helping with some of the funcational aspects of the initiative.

Thank you to the following team for all their hard work and support in setting up the Business2Schools platform: Beth Brown (Year 13), Rachel Gifford (Year 12), Matt Loten (Year 12), Romney Parslow (Year 12) and Anna Wilson (Year 12). It's been great to work with a team of people where student input has been at the heart of many of our ideas. We hope we've given you an experience that has grown your entrepreneurial talents, added value to your cv; helped with your UCAS applications and career choices. Your involvement will be a benefit to all schools and your peers. Thank you for your help with inventories, designing the logo and helping move furniture. We look forward to your continued support as the project grows.