The team

We are a proud and energetic organisation – built around a Board of Trustees and a team of committed staff
On this page

The chief executives have consistently introduced new ideas which promise to improve the running of the organisation…  The staff have continued to work incredibly hard and kept the trustees informed.

Co Chairs Anthea Wormington and Marion Mahoney, writing in the 2016 annual report

Staff

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Debby Kennett

Chief Executive Officer and Community Development Coordinator

“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.”

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Ilinca Diaconescu

Policy Officer

“I coordinate LGT’s strategic policy work, seeking to increase opportunities for Gypsies and Travellers in London to have a say in decisions that affect them –particularly in terms of housing, planning and health inequalities. My work aims to gain recognition of the community’s knowledge and expertise, which is essential in order to achieve fair and inclusive policies.”

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Tracie Giles

Community Campaigner

“I’m a Romany Gypsy and activist and came to my current job through my own personal experience of  eviction from my home/site. I work with my colleagues campaigning and lobbying government for equality and inclusion.”

Tyler Hatwell

Tyler Hatwell

Youth Outreach Worker

“I work with young Travellers to provide mentoring, advice and support so that they can widen participation in local communities. My work varies between community work and one-to-one support. I am a proud Traveller myself, from an Oxfordshire Showman family and have worked with young people in a mentoring capacity for a number of years.”

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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.”

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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.”

Louisa Nightingale

Louisa Nightingale 

Accommodation Advice and Admin Support Worker

“I provide a warm welcome to all visitors and assist with the administration of the office to ensure that it runs smoothly. To provide administrative support to the accommodation advice service and handle general welfare benefit enquiries.  To support and enable community members who access our community hub and other services.

Board of Trustees

  • Claire Cooper (Chair)

Formerly a senior civil servant in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Department for Communities and Local Government and the Home Office.

  • Marian Mahoney (Vice Chair)

Resident on Old Willow Close site in Tower Hamlets, secretary to the site residents’ group and actively involved in LGT’s campaigns for many years.

  • Tunji Makanju (Treasurer)

Finance Manager at the Fairtrade Foundation.

  • Stephen Cottle

Barrister at the Garden Court Chambers where he has represented many Gypsies and Travellers, challenging planning and eviction decisions.

  • Sarah Taylor

Senior Analyst in the National Audit Office’s tax and benefits team, assessing the implementation of policies and organisational changes.

  • Tessa Buchanan

Barrister at Garden Court Chambers practising in the fields of housing, homelessness, community care, mental health, and education.

  • Holly-Gale Millette

University lecturer and academic specialising in cultures and identity, who researches the cultural history of the Bargee Traveller.

  • Richard Bennett

Former teacher and councillor, who provides training to councillors on issues facing Gypsies and Travellers.

  • Sarah Edwards

Lecturer at University of Oxford with Romany and Traveller heritage.

  • Giorgio Mariani

Institutional fundraiser who wants to support the work of London Gypsies and Travellers.

Website

Funders

  • BBC Children in Need
  • Irish Government Emigrant Support Programme
  • Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
  • Lloyds Bank Foundation
  • London Borough of Hackney
  • The Cabinet Office’s Local Sustainability Fund
  • Trust for London
  • The Tudor Trust
  • The Wakefield and Tetley Trust
  • The Aziz Foundation
  • Lush Charity Pot
  • Garden Court Chambers Special Fund
  • The Big Lottery Fund