Who we are

Gail joined the Living Wage Foundation in October 2022, where she is responsible for driving new areas of work and supporting the future development of the organisation. Previously, Gail was Living Wage Scotland Manager at the Poverty Alliance, the franchise partner delivering Living Wage accreditation in Scotland. Gail spent five years as a Senior Policy and Development Officer at Carnegie UK, a UK charitable foundation, where she led the delivery of their ‘Fulfilling Work’ programme, focusing on policy and employer interventions required to make work better. Gail is passionate about increasing access to ‘good work’ and tackling low pay and insecure work. She has previously worked in employability and skills, executive search and policy roles.

She is passionate about languages and travel and has spent time living and working in France and Belgium. 

Shelley has 20 years experience in pensions and joined the Living Wage Foundation in 2021 to lead the delivery of Living Pension. Formerly at Friends Provident and Aviva, she spent a decade as a Client Relationship Manager and later worked on digital services for workplace pensions. Shelley was awarded the Unsung Hero award at the Professional Pensions ‘Women in Pensions’ awards in 2023 for her work on bringing Living Pension to life.

Shaheen joined the Living Wage Foundation in January 2020 and leads on the Global Living Wage Initiative, a project established in response to growing international efforts to reduce inequality and address in-work poverty. She previously worked for Girls Not Brides, Save the Children International, and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, and has been an independent campaigner against forced marriage in the UK for the last ten years. Having studied English with creative writing, Shaheen is now writing a book to highlight the long-term impacts of forced marriage.

Lauren joined the Living Wage Foundation in July 2021 as a Project Manager for the Global Living Wage Initiative.

She has previous experience working with the National Citizens Service as a Project Manager and at PwC as a Management Consultant across a number of different industries. She enjoys reading, running and baking

Nadia joined the Living Wage Foundation in April 2023 and is working on the Living Pension programme. She has worked in the not-for-profit sector for 14 years for a variety of organisations focusing on youth, education and community development both in the UK and overseas. She has had a variety of roles from Chief Operating Officer to Development Manager.

In her spare time, Nadia enjoys travelling, walks with her dog and spending time with her young family.

Josephine joined the Living Wage Foundation in March 2022 as a Programme Officer. She is now Project Manager for the Living Hours scheme. Josephine holds a BA in English Literature and an MA in Modern and Contemporary Literature, Culture and Thought. She previously worked in higher education administration, and is involved in migrant solidarity and queer activism.

John joined the Living Wage Foundation in November 2017 and oversees the Foundation’s media work. Before joining the Living Wage team John was Media and Communications Manager for The Equality Trust, where he was also Acting Director for six months, raising awareness of issues including low-pay and in-work poverty.

He has worked across the private, public and charitable sectors, and as a consultant for Linstock Communications won the Public Relations and Communications Association award for Crisis and Issues Management. Prior to this John worked in Parliament as an Education and Public Policy Researcher for the Liberal Democrats.

Emily joined Citizens UK as a Press Officer in 2018 and is now the Senior Communications and Media Manager at the Living Wage Foundation. She has a passion for using communications and storytelling as a force for good. 

Outside of work, Emily loves spending time outdoors and enjoys spending weekends trail running or hiking in the Peak District! 

Clare joined the Living Wage Foundation in August 2018, overseeing digital communications, brand and marketing.

With a passion for creative communications, Clare has built a 6 year career in the charity sector through various communications and marketing roles, promoting campaigns that drive positive societal change. At the Foundation she oversees our online communications channels, brand through partnership marketing campaigns. Before joining the foundation, she was Communications Coordinator at Power to Change, where she worked to strengthen the collective voice of UK community-owned businesses who were responding to local issues across England. 

Josh joined the Living Wage Foundation in May 2024 and oversees the Foundation’s research programme, with a focus on pay, security of hours and pensions for workers across the UK. Previously, he was Head of Research at Centre for London, a think tank exploring ways to make London a city that works for all Londoners. He has also had roles at the Education Policy Institute and Coram Family and Childcare. 

Ana joined the Living Wage Foundation in August 2023 and leads on delivering research to support Living Wage campaigns and schemes. Before joining the Living Wage team Ana was a Senior Economic Advisor for Seafish, a Non-Departmental Public Body, where she worked with Government and seafood manufacturers, traders, wholesalers, retailers and food service businesses to generate meaningful data and insights and inform decisions in a range of areas, including workforce issues. Ana holds two master’s degrees, in Economics and Behavioural Science, and is passionate about applying behavioural insights and systems thinking to create value, inform decisions and improve social and economic outcomes.

Camilla joined the Living Wage Foundation in October 2022 as Digital Communications Manager. Her role involves shaping and managing the Foundations’ digital communications plans via the web, social media and email.

She has a background in publishing, and has worked in a range of Marketing and Communications roles for the Arts and Higher Education sectors. Outside of work Camilla’s passions include reading, history, politics, walking and yoga.

Matt joined the Living Wage Foundation in April 2022 as communication officer. His role involves promoting the organisation’s work across all communications channels: social media, media outlets, website and internal communications channels.

Matt previously worked as a researcher at the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies for seven and half years. His interests include poverty, particuarly how it impacts young people, and criminal justice.

As a Research Officer, Klervi is supporting to grow the Foundation's analytical and thought-leadership work. She joined the Living Wage Foundation in January 2023 as a Communications Officer to promote the organisation’s press and digital communications. She studied Economics and International Development, with an interest in decoloniality and gender equality, and has experience volunteering for various causes including human rights. She is passionate about understanding and undoing systemic oppression and inequality. In her spare time Klervi enjoys spending time in nature, doing yoga, and quality time with friends.

Liberty joined the Living Wage Foundation in February 2024 as a Communication Officer. Her role involves promoting and celebrating the Living Wage Foundation’s work across a variety of channels, including social media, press outlets and the website.

Before joining the Living Wage Foundation, Liberty completed a Level 4 Public Relations and Communications Assistant Apprenticeship at Historic England, where she received a distinction. In her spare time Liberty enjoys boxing, baking and travelling.

Jessica joined the Living Wage Foundation in 2022 as Head of Membership and Operations. She is passionate about tackling inequalities, previously having worked for National Voices, a coalition of health and care charities campaigning for person-centred care, and Equality Challenge Unit a charity which worked with universities to get them to commit to, and make progress on, equality and diversity. Jessica is a former Councillor, having represented the people of Underhill on Barnet Council for six years until 2022.

Outside of work she enjoys cooking, long walks, Muay Thai, making the most of London with her small son and occasionally still dabbling in politics.

Jess joined the Living Wage Foundation in September 2016 as a Programme Officer, and moved to a Programme Manager role in 2018 before beginning her current role in January 2021. Jess is passionate about socio-political issues at the intersection of feminism, queerness, disability rights and socialism, and has volunteered and fundraised for diverse organisations such as Labour Behind The Label, Stonewall and the British Heart Foundation. 

Coming from a background in retail, hospitality and agency work - industries where low pay is a serious issue - Jess is committed to improving not only the pay offered in these sectors, but also making sure that the jobs on offer are fulfilling, and give people room to develop professionally and personally. She oversees the Foundation's retail strategy, with a current focus on essential retail, including supermarkets. 

Outside of work, Jess loves cooking and baking (and feeding up the Living Wage team with the proceeds), reading and lifting heavy things in the gym. 

Sebastian joined the Living Wage Foundation in 2018 and is currently a Senior Programme Manager. He leads the Recognised Service Provider project and oversees Living Wage Employer accreditation in the West Midlands. Sebastian has previous experience of the public, private and third sectors; he coordinated enrichment opportunities for students in an inner city college in Birmingham, he worked on Senior c-suite leadership recruitment on behalf of the NHS and has volunteered for a number of community growth projects, including the Local Futures' initiative as well as several Transition Town groups from across the UK. 

Hannah joined the Living Wage Foundation in January 2023 as Senior Programme Manager. Prior to this, she worked for Citizens UK on the Good Jobs Campaign, and for the past five years, managing their refugee resettlement project, where she became acutely aware of the issues faced by migrants on the poverty line.

Hannah knows first-hand what a difference the Living Wage can make – when her previous employer accredited with LWF, the uplift allowed her to drop her second job at the weekends and move out of her mouldy box room.

In her spare time, she enjoys travel, long walks and swimming, and is a member of her local theatre group.

Eleanor joined the Living Wage Foundation in February 2021 as a Programme Manager leading on accreditations in South East England. She previously worked in health awareness and education at Cancer Research UK, where she championed the agenda to tackle health inequalities at any opportunity.

Over the years Eleanor has also volunteered as a city farmer, mental health advocacy caseworker, and for a homelessness prevention charity. Her career path has wound through all three sectors, with over a decade working as a technician in the arts and studying film at university. 

Sophie joined in August 2021, working on promoting the Living Wage across the North West. She has worked for a range of charities including: Teach First, The Social Mobility Foundation and The Challenge. In her spare time, Sophie supports Willow Project, which is a children and young people's counselling service that does fantastic work around mental health in Greater Manchester.

Outside of work, she loves to do jujitsu, tennis and cycling. 

Nicola joined the Living Wage Foundation in July 2021, overseeing programme work in South London. Nicola has a background in social mobility and responsible business. She has previously worked in the third sector to increase equality in education and employment opportunities for young people. She then moved into a business advisory role, specialising in corporate community engagement strategy. Before moving to the Foundation, Nicola managed the operations and charitable partnerships for a Social Enterprise company

Alice joined the Living Wage Foundation in 2020 as a Programme Officer, overseeing accreditations in East and North West England, and supporting the Foundation’s third sector work. Alice is now a Programme Manager leading on accreditations in East London.

Alice previously worked for the London Community Foundation where she managed multiple grant programmes across a diverse range of themes, including youth violence, homelessness, employment, violence against women and girls and community engagement. Alice is particularly interested in strengthening worker voices and reducing social inequality in the UK by addressing in-work poverty.

Tazkia joined the Foundation in November 2020 as a Programme Officer, working on accrediting employers in the East Midlands and supporting with East London accreditations and the Living Hours scheme. She previously worked at The Prince's Trust, coordinating employability programmes for 18–30-year-olds and prior to that, recruiting volunteers for their school mentoring programmes. She also worked at a City Year UK and Task Squad, performing various roles within those organisations. 

Outside of work, Tazkia volunteers for the Lewisham Scouts District Group, is a big fan of reading books and watching documentaries. 

Faith joined the Living Wage Foundation in 2023 as North East Programme Manager after gaining several years of experience in community organising with Tyne and Wear Citizens, which she helped to establish. She is committed to addressing social and environmental injustice and has previously worked as an adviser with Citizens Advice.

Faith has university degrees in environmental engineering and experience of working in the private, public and voluntary sectors. She has also worked as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. She has lived in North East England for nearly 20 years and is a member of Northumbria Quakers.

Lindsay Harrod joined the Living Wage Foundation team in October 2023, overseeing relationships in North London. She previously worked in the small charity sector and the arts, in fundraising and capacity-building, as well as being a barista in a Living Wage accredited café. Outside of work, Lindsay is active in her local community kitchen and renters’ union, and loves music, crafts and trying new evening courses!

Gemma joined the Living Wage Foundation as a Programme Manager for the North West (Manchester based). Gemma works with the Memberships and Operations team to increase accreditations and gain pay rises, secure hours and living pensions for many in the region. Gemma is especially interested in social care, hospitality and VSFSE sector due to her work history. In her spare time Gemma loves to walk in woodlands, to visit Pembrokeshire and beachcomb, and to support her local Roller Derby league.

David has a long history of working for social justice and brings a unique range of experience in digital technologies, community organising, and social innovation. He joined the Foundation in November 2023, having previously worked on the North of Tyne Child Poverty Prevention Programme.

David has held leadership roles in several social enterprises. He is a qualified community organiser, collaborating with Tyne and Wear Citizens on their Mental Health Commission and Mayoral Assembly. He managed the groundbreaking Fathers Plus service enabling family services to better address the support needs of fathers and male carers and he led one of the North East's first 'Tech for Good' agencies.

Monalisa joined the Living Wage Foundation in January 2022 and is the Programme Manager responsible for South London. Over the past two years she has worked in the North East, South East, Living Wage Commission, and the Global Living Wage team supporting other countries on their Living Wage journeys.

Monalisa holds a Masters’ degree in the History of International Relations from the London School of Economics and studied History and English at the University of Oxford. She is interested in structural inequalities and their historical roots, and is passionate about building her career to eradicate them.

Outside of work, she loves nature, reading and languages (speaking 5!)

Olivia joined as an Operations Officer in September 2022 as well overseeing the Foundation’s Merchandise.

She has previously worked in retail progressing to management and specialising in retail operations over her 5 years there.

In her spare time Olivia loves visiting home back on the Wirral and spending time with family, friends and the family dog Mavis!

Ben joined the Living Wage Foundation in September 2022 and is a Programme Manager leading on accreditation strategy in West London and leads work with the Ealing Living Wage Borough work. He has previous experience in recruitment and the charity sector with the Citizens Advice Bureau. Outside of work Ben loves all things sport (leading with football).

Andrew joined as a Programme Officer in September 2022, and oversees accreditations in the West Midlands as well as supporting on North London and the Living Wage Funders scheme.

He previously worked as a secondary History teacher in the East Midlands, and then spent 4 years in operational roles at education-focused charities and social enterprises across London.

Outside of work, Andrew is a local school governor and enjoys film and theatre.

Louis joined as a Programme Officer in July 2023, and oversees accreditations in the East Midlands as well as supporting in East London and on the Recognised Service Providers scheme.

He previously worked at ShareAction, where he helped promote good work standards among FTSE companies.

Louis likes spending time in nature, campaigning and talking about climate justice, as well as watching football and films.

Jack joined the Living Wage Foundation as a Programme Officer in August 2023, leading on accreditations in Northern Ireland and supporting with the South East and the Living Wage Places programme.

Before this his background was in higher education, having worked as a sabbatical officer at Durham Students’ Union after completing his undergraduate degree.

He is based in West Yorkshire, and outside of work gets involved in both party politics and grassroots campaigning.

Rachel joined the Living Wage Foundation in August 2023 as a Programme Officer and now leads on accreditations in the East of England as well as supporting in West London and on the Living Hours scheme.

Rachel previously worked at a mental health record label and charity where she managed programmes promoting positive mental health through music, and at a sexual health charity designing and delivering inclusive support and education.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys watching films, cooking and trying new foods and always has at least one craft project on the go!

Patrick (he/him) joined the Living Wage Foundation in February 2024 as a Programme Officer and oversees all accreditations in the North of Ireland. He also oversees accreditations for small and medium-sized organisations in Southeast England and supports work on the Global Living Wage.

Patrick's educational background is in Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies, and as a researcher, he's interested in histories of organising, activism, and resistance from all over the world. He's an avid reader, loves a good cup of coffee, and is also involved in various forms of organising and activism.

Penny Clark is a Programme Officer at the Living Wage Foundation. She oversees accreditations in the South West region including the Making Bristol a Living Wage City initiative, and supports on the Living Hours and Living Pension campaigns. She also supports on accreditations in South London, working closely with the boroughs of Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Merton and Greenwich.

Penny has previous experience in both the charity and higher education sectors, as well as publishing and community arts, looking at inequality, disability and social mobility within the UK.

Outside of work, Penny is a keen organic gardener, and is working with a local community group to produce a recipe book and community food map of cafes, delis and food co-operatives. She also writes novels and eco-poetry and hikes the South West Coastal path.

Emily Hodgson joined the Living Wage Foundation in October 2022 as Head of Partnerships and Campaigns. She oversees the Making London a Living Wage City campaign for the Foundation and develops sectoral and place based campaigns nationally.

Before joining the Living Wage Foundation, Emily lead the social enterprise arm of a PR agency and was the Head of Business Development and External Relations at the Social Mobility Foundation, running their Social Mobility Employer Index.

Caitlin joined the Living Wage Foundation in January 2021, overseeing programme work in East London. As a Senior Partnerships & Campaigns Manager Caitlin has oversight of campaigns including Health & Social Care and Creative & Cultural sectors both in London as part of the project to Make London a Living Wage City, as well as nationally.

Before joining the Foundation, Caitlin worked at Plan International UK, a global children’s charity with a focus on gender equality and at The Challenge, the UKs largest social integration charity. Her roles have included programme and partner management, campaigns, events and marketing.

Sara joined the Living Wage Foundation in June 2018. Sara has worked in the charity sector for over fifteen years and has a public campaigns background. Sara joined the Foundation from Oxfam, where she worked on a range of campaigns to help tackle economic inequality, climate change and refugee rights, as well as UK poverty. Having worked directly with women with lived experience of poverty in communities around the UK, Sara is passionate about the difference the Living Wage makes to people’s lives.

As Senior Partnerships & Campaigns Manager at the Living Wage Foundation, Sara oversees sectoral partnerships and campaigns strategy in order to grow the Living Wage as part of the Making London a Living Wage City project, as well as nationally.
Sara has strategic oversight of the Foundation’s service provision and hospitality partnerships and campaigns.

Lydia joined the Living Wage Foundation in August 2021. She previously worked for an East London-based charity, working with businesses and schools to build employability skills in young people. 

Humarrah joined the Living Wage Foundation in July 2020, overseeing the accreditations across Yorkshire and Humber and supporting on the Recognised Service Provider scheme. As Campaigns Manager, she now works closely with community organisers and the Living Wage Foundation to bring together local campaigns alongside strategic partnerships, whilst engaging workers in both the strategy and delivery of campaigns.

With a Masters by Research in Paleoclimatology and an interest in geopolitics, Humarrah steered her work toward campaigning and corporate advocacy roles. She's worked on influencing corporate sustainability strategies and addressing negative lobbying by trade associations, then moving in to a cross-cause role to broaden her experience on equality in the workplace - including gender equality and human rights abuses in the supply chain.

Phoebe joined the Living Wage Foundation in March 2021 and is Programmes Officer leading on accreditations in Northern Ireland and additionally supports the Living Wage Places Scheme. Phoebe has previous experience in both the charity and research sectors working with organisations such as North Wales Food Poverty Alliance and ADNODD Research Group where she worked on research focussed on social justice, inequality, and social mobility within the UK.

Phoebe holds a Geography degree with a particular focus on geopolitics and Geographical Information Systems.  With her final research project focussing on the increasing role of the third sector and in work poverty across the UK.

Outside of work Phoebe is an avid white-water kayaker and rock climber.

Edel joined the Living Wage Foundation in August 2022 as part of the Campaign and Partnership team. This was after working on the UK-wide social care campaign for Citizens UK and the Living Wage Foundation. She has vast media and communication (broadcast/online) outreach experience in both the private and public sectors. In her current role as Engagement and Campaigns Advisor, she works closely with community organisers at Citizens UK and the team at the Living Wage Foundation supporting public information campaign initiatives that deliver on policy outcomes and aid in the understanding of the relevant LW regulatory ecosystems, liaises with relevant teams to develop and improve communications material, and other material to achieve engagement and communications objectives. Actively advises on various campaigns and engagements for successful campaign and engagement delivery.

Lianna joined the Living Wage Foundation in 2023 as Partnerships and Campaigns Manager. She leads on the Foundation’s work in the Creative and Cultural Sector and in the Third Sector, and manages the Living Wage Funder scheme..

Lianna has a background in campaigning and engagement, and has worked for social change organisations including the RSA, London Community Land Trust, and Campaign for Better Transport. She holds an MA in Community Organising from Queen Mary University and is a trustee of human rights charity Just Fair. Outside work, Lianna loves books, and walking, running or swimming in nature.

Fin joined the Living Wage Foundation in April 2023 as a Partnerships & Campaigns Manager leading on Recognised Service Providers and the Service Provision element of the Making London a Living Wage City work.

Before joining the Foundation, Fin spent seven years working within the Community team at Tesco, delivering projects to support charities and community groups across the country.

Ellie joined the Living Wage Foundation in September 2023 and splits her time between Making London a Living Wage City and the Living Wage Places Network. Ellie has a background in research and evaluation, most recently as Director of a research consultancy evaluating interventions in arts and health, creative and cultural industries, and community development. Prior to this, she was a social scientist at Cardiff University and UWE Bristol for over 15 years. Ellie completed a PhD in photography as a research method in 2013 and retains a strong passion for creativity in research, collaborating with artists and cultural organisations throughout her career. Ellie lives in a village north of Cardiff and spends her free time managing her son's rugby team, fundraising, being in nature and reading.

Bethan joined Living Wage Foundation in October 2023. As Partnerships and Campaigns Manager, she holds our work on health and social care. She leads the Making London a Living Wage City Health and Social Care Action Strand and working closely with the programme team and community organisers to bring together local campaigns alongside strategic partnerships, whilst engaging workers in both the strategy and delivery of campaigns.

Bethan's professional background is in the violence against women and girls and environmental sectors. Within previous roles, she has worked with not-for-profits, institutions, local authorities, statutory bodies, corporate partners and Integrated Care Boards. 

Lynn graduated with a degree in Public Policy from the University of Glasgow and went on to work in a number of third sector roles with the Wise group and Energy Saving Trust. Immediately prior to joining the Poverty Alliance, Lynn worked in a management position at Citizens Advice Direct for over 4 years.

Speak to me about: Making Living Wage Places, as well as accreditations for Local Authorities and other public sector Anchor Institutions.

Living Wage Scotland Manager (interim)

Talk to me about: Living Wage Scotland strategy, operations, large accreditations, communications, funding & business development

Living Wage Projects Coordinator

Talk to me about: Living Hours and Making Living Wage Places

Tricia works with newly accredited employers to celebrate their accreditation and also on network engagement. She joined the Poverty Alliance in 2015 and has experience of working across all sectors.

Talk to me about: network communications, social media, employer profiles and website content.

Living Wage Accreditation Officer

Talk to me about: hospitality technology and construction sector accreditations

Living Wage Administrative Assistant

Talk to me about: any issues with your accreditation licence, finance and Living Wage merchandise.

Living Wage Project Assistant.

Talk to me about: network communications, social media, employer profiles and website content.

Sheena McBeth joined the Poverty Alliance in October 2023 as Living Wage Projects Officer.

Prior to joining the Poverty Alliance, Sheena worked at the University of Glasgow for 20 years and established and managed the successful Internship Hub programme, providing good quality, paid internships for students. In this role, Sheena gained extensive experience of working with employers of all sizes from start-ups to multinationals across a diverse range of industry sectors and promoted the benefits of internships and the importance of paying the Living Wage. Sheena holds a degree in History of Art from the University of Glasgow.

In her spare time Sheena enjoys reading, especially crime novels, and enjoys cooking and baking.

Harry is Senior Programme and Policy Lead: Fair Work and Economy and manages the Fair Work and Living Wage team, which work towards Cynnal Cymru’s strategic goal of a fair and just society.

He previously worked as Economic Policy Lead at the Institute of Welsh Affairs, leading projects on topics such as empowering trade unions, the Welsh Government’s fiscal framework, and community empowerment. He previously worked for public affairs firm Deryn Consulting and in political campaigns and research at Senedd, Westminster, and local authority level.

Talk to Harry about: Fair work and living wage policy and strategy in Wales.

Grace is the Living Wage Programme Officer, providing advice and support to our growing employer network in Wales.

She has a background in human resources and has always been passionate about equality, justice and fair work practices. Grace previously worked on the Living Wage Programme during her master’s degree in HR, which is what made her enthusiastic about this particular initiative.

Talk to Grace about: All things Living Wage in Wales.

Karen is the Living Work Projects Coordinator, working on the Living Work initiatives such as Living Wage Places, Living Hours, and Living Pensions in Wales.

Karen brings a range of skills and knowledge from working in a Research & Development team at Panasonic and from her time as a Health & Wellbeing officer at Cardiff Council.

She strongly believes in equality for everyone, and through her role at Cynnal Cymru hopes to make a difference.

Talk to Karen about: Living Wage Places, Living Hours, Living Pensions in Wales.

Alys provides support on the Living Wage accreditation process, general enquiries, communications and promoting the Living Wage in Wales. She is passionate about sustainability, fair work and equality.

Talk to Alys about: Becoming an accredited Living Wage employer in Wales and the promotion and celebration of your organisation.