Working together strategically

Grace English is Co-Chief Executive Officer at High Trees, leading the organisation alongside Anna Coffey. Her role is to provide leadership to deliver the vision, strategy and services of High Trees, and to ensure the organisation and its staff are able to thrive. High Trees was founded by residents taking collective action, and that belief in community leadership continues to guide Grace's work - from the free, high-quality services delivered across Tulse Hill and the wider borough, to the partnerships, community research and capacity building support that strengthen Lambeth's voluntary and community sector. She is committed to High Trees remaining vision-led rather than funding-led, and to the principle that lasting change comes when individuals, communities and the organisations who work with and for them have the power, voice and resources to shape the decisions that affect them.

Anna Coffey is Co-Chief Executive Officer at High Trees, leading the organisation alongside Grace English. Her role is to provide leadership to deliver the vision, strategy and services of High Trees, and to ensure the organisation and its staff are able to thrive. High Trees has always understood that the challenges facing its communities are rooted in long-standing structural inequalities, and Anna's work spans both of the organisation's responses: delivering trusted, high-quality services that help individuals and families make tangible changes in their lives, and using learning from that work to contribute to the systemic change needed to make life better at scale, rather than person by person. She is committed to High Trees remaining vision-led rather than funding-led, and to the conviction that when communities and individuals play a leading role in shaping the services they need, those services will be more effective.

Jattinder Rai is the CEO of Bexley Voluntary Service Council (BVSC), with extensive experience in the voluntary and community sector. Her leadership is driven by a commitment to empowering local communities and strengthening the voluntary sector’s impact across Bexley. With a background in community development and strategic partnerships, Jattinder is focused on building collaborative networks, supporting local organizations, and championing initiatives that address the diverse needs of Bexley's residents.

Annie Norton is the Interim CEO at Bexley Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) where she provides strategic leadership to strengthen the voluntary, faith and community sector across the boroughs of both Bexley and Greenwich. She brings extensive experience across the private, public and community sectors, with a very strong track record in system leadership, organisational development and partnership working. Annie has led multiple complex programmes focused on improving service quality, driving collaboration and delivering sustainable change. She is committed to ensuring the VCFSE sector plays a central role in addressing local challenges and improving outcomes for local residents. She believes that there is a particular need to build on previous collaborative work across the system so that the VCFSE sector is genuinely treated as an equal partner and is strategically enabled to do what it does best, i.e. co-design and execute changes that matter most to local people.

Dr. Gülen Petty is the Chief Executive Officer of Lewisham Local, bringing over 15 years of experience in community development and social initiatives. A long-time Lewisham resident, Gülen has led various local charities, contributing to the borough's growth. She is passionate about empowering communities and mobilising resources, and is committed to driving bold, meaningful change. Under her dynamic leadership, Lewisham Local is poised to continue flourishing, building on its strong foundations to make a lasting impact on the lives of residents.

Anood has over 15 years of experience leading strategy development and delivery across the political, public, and voluntary sectors. She is deeply committed to London and its diverse communities, with a strong drive to create a fairer society where everyone can shape their own future. Anood is a prominent community campaigner and served as Leader of the Opposition at Southwark Council for ten years, during which she supported hundreds of individuals and organisations through casework, campaigns and advocacy.

David Walker is Chief Executive Officer at Bromley Third Sector Enterprise (BTSE), which strives to unite the third sector to benefit local communities and is responsible for the delivery of Bromley Well. With extensive experience in the charitable and public sectors, David has a strong track record in program delivery and policy work, including roles at Career Academies UK and the Association of Colleges. Recently elected as a councillor for Deptford ward in Lewisham, David is dedicated to driving positive change and enhancing opportunities for all.

Christopher Evans is the Chief Executive of Community Links Bromley (CLB), bringing extensive experience in the voluntary sector to his role. His career has been dedicated to strengthening the voluntary and community sector, fostering collaboration, and driving positive change. At CLB, Christopher is committed to empowering local organisations, providing essential resources, and ensuring that the voices of the community are heard and supported. His leadership is key to enhancing the resilience and impact of Bromley's voluntary sector.

Barbara Gray, former Mayoress of Lewisham, founded Kinaraa in 2021 to address challenges faced by the local Black African and Caribbean community. With a background in policy and community engagement, Barbara's journey from personal assistant to community leader has been marked by perseverance and advocacy. Inspired by Maya Angelou and her own experiences, she focuses on amplifying community voices, influencing policy, and promoting equity. Through Kinaraa, Barbara combines innovative research with lived experience to empower Lewisham's Black community and drive systemic change. Her work spans consulting with policymakers, storytelling, and nurturing future generations of leaders.

Alan Robertson is the Chief Executive officer of Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network (LRMN), bringing a wealth of experience from over 25 years in the charity sector. His background includes leadership roles in housing, mental health, and international development. Passionate about social justice, Alan is committed to empowering refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. At LRMN, he focuses on enhancing services, fostering partnerships, and advocating for the rights and well-being of marginalised communities in Lewisham and beyond.

Ben Taylor joined SEL Mind in 2005 and became Chief Executive in 2012. With over 20 years of leadership experience in mental health charities and a background in social work, Ben is deeply committed to social justice, the power of the voluntary sector, and the importance of peer support. His focus includes fostering inclusivity, building strong partnerships, and leading with compassion. Ben also serves as a Trustee for Bromley Third Sector Enterprise and is the voluntary sector mental health lead for south east London.

Amie Winter‑Jackson works within the South East London Integrated Care System (ICS), supporting Voluntary Sector Collaboration and Partnerships with a focus on communications and impact. Her role centres on shaping how the VCSE Strategic Alliance shares its work, demonstrates its value and amplifies the voice of the sector across the system. Amie brings a background in television and digital media, with experience creating engaging, accessible content for a wide range of audiences. She has also volunteered extensively across community initiatives in the UK and internationally, including education projects, telephone befriending, homeless night shelters and addiction recovery services. Through her work, Amie plays a key role in strengthening storytelling, partnership communications and impact reporting, helping to ensure the contribution of the voluntary and community sector is visible, understood and influential in improving outcomes across South East London.

Elizabeth (Liz) Cutajar is Operations and Projects Manager at Volunteer Centre Greenwich, where she leads on the development and delivery of supported volunteering programmes. She brings over 16 years’ experience in the voluntary sector, with a background spanning criminal justice, community research and leadership of services supporting children and families. Since joining the organisation in 2007, Liz has played a key role in expanding inclusive volunteering opportunities, particularly for people facing additional barriers, and is committed to ensuring volunteering is accessible, meaningful and empowering for all.Since joining Volunteer Centre Greenwich, Liz’s responsibilities have expanded to include managing the Emotional Wellbeing Project and the Women and Girls Health Project, as well as leading the BeWell Programme. She also contributes to borough-wide strategic work as a member of the Autism Partnership Board and the Learning Disability Partnership Board for Greenwich. In addition, Liz is Chair of a local charity supporting children and families, reflecting her ongoing commitment to strengthening communities through inclusive, collaborative approaches.

Tal Rosenzweig is the Director of Voluntary Sector Collaboration and Partnerships for the South East London Integrated Care System (ICS). With over 15 years of experience in the Women's Sector, Tal has held various strategic and operational roles that underscore her commitment to social justice and community empowerment. Tal is dedicated to ensuring that the voices of voluntary and community sector organisations are fully integrated into the ICS, fostering collaboration and driving system-wide change across south east London.