The team

We are a proud and energetic organisation – built around a Board of Trustees and a team of committed staff who bring a wealth of diverse backgrounds and lived experience, including Gypsy, Traveller and other ethnic groups, and members of LGBTQ+ communities.
On this page

None of our work would have been possible without the support of our funders, trustees and our committed and hardworking team of staff

Claire Cooper, Trustee

Staff

Debby Kennett

Chief Executive Officer

“I am responsible for the overall vision, strategy and management of LGT, working with staff and trustees to ensure we continue to be a vibrant, effective and sustainable organisation. I am proud of our expert and committed staff team and our longstanding partnership with Gypsies and Travellers who have been involved with our work over many years.”

Joe Clark

Accommodation Advice and Office Assistant

“I mainly assist with the Accommodation Advice Service, answering calls, assisting with casework and managing the appointments system to ensure everyone is seen. I also complete administrative tasks for LGT and assist with data analysis and reporting. My role is essential in maintaining smooth operations and providing effective support for the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities across London.”

Tehya Hadley

Bright Futures Project Worker

My role is within Bright Futures, LGT’s mentoring programme for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people. A significant part of my work is supporting the development of training, employment, and wellbeing opportunities. I feel proud to be working on Bright Futures and full of hope for the future of our young people.

Nancy Hawker

Policy and Research Officer

“I collect and analyse reliable information about discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in London. LGT relies on this evidence to campaign for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller rights. I am a human rights researcher and campaigner specialised in racial discrimination and economic, social and cultural rights. I love languages and fieldwork where I meet people from all walks of life.”

Geraldine Lindsay

Skills Development Co-ordinator

“My role is to increase self-confidence and independence within the community through skills, basic IT and literacy training. I work with individuals and families so that they can manage their own affairs more effectively and create pathways into employment.”

Richard Lush

Admin Support

“I primarily look after the operational side of things at LGT – admin, finance and I.T. among other things. I have Romany heritage, which is what drew me towards working with the team.”

Mena Mongan

Community Engagement Officer

“I came into this job after volunteering for my community. I challenge everyday discrimination against my people. My job involves encouraging Travellers to speak out for their rights and get involved in LGT campaigns and programmes.”

Orlando Phipps

Accommodation Advice and Advocacy Worker

“I started working for London Gypsies and Travellers in April 2024. At LGT’s accommodation advice service we look to help the community navigate an increasingly encumbered and obstinate housing system in London, doing our best to improve the material circumstances of those who find themselves in wholly unsuitable accommodation or being treated unfairly by landlords or the council.”

Padmini Ravi

Bright Futures Project Lead

“I lead our mentoring and employability support programme for young people in the Gypsy and Traveller community. My focus is on developing an ecosystem to help them build their skills, gain confidence, achieve their goals and feel empowered to reach their full potential.”

Olli Wells

Accommodation Advice Triage Worker

“I work within the Accommodation Advice Service helping to provide advice and support to the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in order to assist them in securing and maintaining their accommodation. Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community, I also support the organisation to be intersectional in the work we do.”

Board of Trustees

  • Sally Barter

Sally is a Romany Gypsy and has worked in Traveller education for almost 30 years, as well as in various voluntary roles supporting and representing Gypsies and Travellers nationally. She is currently employed as a Gypsy Roma Traveller education liaison officer in the same West London borough that she was born and grew up in.

  • Richard Bennett (Treasurer)

Richard joined the board in 2017 and is the current Treasurer. He started his working life as a schoolmaster before setting up his own business, and from 1987 to 2011 he was a councillor on Reigate & Banstead Borough Council. He led the Local Government Association’s investigation into the shortfall in site provision for Gypsies and Travellers and has for many years provided training to councillors on the issues facing Gypsies and Travellers.

  • Tessa Buchanan

Tessa re-joined the board in 2024.  She is a lawyer in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.  Previously she was a barrister, representing many Gypsies and Travellers in cases up to and including the Supreme Court.  She won Legal Aid Barrister of the Year in 2021

  • Sarah Edwards

Sarah joined the board in 2017. Sarah has both Romany and Traveller heritage and has close family members who have lived ‘on the road’. She hopes to help break down prejudice towards Gypsies, Roma and Travellers. She is currently a lecturer and tutor at the University of Oxford.

  • Helena Kiely-Savin (Chair)

Helena joined the board in 2020 and is the current Chair of the board. She is an Irish Traveller and Director of The Really NEET Project, a social enterprise providing alternative education to 16-25 with Special Educational Needs. As a qualified youth worker, Helena brings to the board her experience and passion for working with young people.

  • Marian Mahoney (Vice Chair)

Marian has been an LGT board member since 2007 and is the current Vice Chair. She is a resident on Old Willow Close site in Tower Hamlets, secretary to the site residents’ group and has been actively involved in LGT’s campaigns for many years.

  • Tunji Makanju

Tunji joined the board in 2016. He is the Head of Finance at the Fairtrade Foundation and is a highly proficient accounting professional with experience covering financial reporting, management accounting, planning, budgeting & forecasting, cash flow management and risk management.

  • Giorgio Mariani

Giorgio joined the board in 2017. He is a dedicated institutional fundraiser with experience in growing charities’ grant bases and working with UK trusts and foundations. Having grown up in Italy, he saw at first hand the treatment of Roma and wants to use his fundraising experience to support the work of London Gypsies and Travellers.

  • Chelsea McDonagh

Chelsea joined the board in 2023. Chelsea is an Irish Traveller and works at the Young Foundation as a senior researcher. She and is one of the co-founders of the Rom Belong programme, a widening participation programme for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people at King’s College London.

 

Website

Funders

Supported By BBC Cin - Portrait               JRCT  LBF_RGB_Horizontal-01hackney          Trust for London logo

 

 

 

  • BBC Children in Need
  • The Henry Smith Charity
  • The Irish Government Emigrant ‬Support Programme
  • The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
  • The Lloyds Bank Foundation
  • The London Borough of Hackney
  • The London Community Foundation
  • The Oak Foundation
  • The Trust for London
  • The National Lottery Community Fund
  • Moving for Change