The team

We are a proud and energetic organisation – built around a Board of Trustees and a team of committed staff
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.”

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.”

Ilinca Diaconescu

Policy and Campaigns Co-ordinator

“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.”

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.”

Warren Lee

Accommodation Advice Support Worker

‘’I work with the community providing advice and support. I advise on things to do with keeping accommodation secure such as Benefits, Debts and issues with local Councils among other things. I also provide administrative support to the organisation to ensure we are best tuned to help the community.’’

Richard Lush

Admin Support

“Hi! I’m Rich, one of the more recent additions to the team. While I’m not a direct employee, I run a freelancer business that takes care of these guys! I primarily look after the operational side of things at LGT. Admin, finance, I.T. amongst other things. I have Romany heritage, which is what drew me towards working with the team.”

Tom Margetson

Community Development Worker

“I have recently joined the team as a Community Development Worker. My work involves uplifting and supporting voices within the Gypsy and Traveller communities. My work is not just about highlighting, and seeking to change, the prejudice that affects Gypsy and Traveller people, but also to showcase the history and rich culture that so many are unaware of. “

Board of Trustees

  • Sarah Taylor

Head of Impact and Evaluation at the Coram group of children’s charities

  • 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.

  • Richard Bennett (Treasurer)

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

  • Claire Cooper

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

  • Sarah Edwards

Lecturer at University of Oxford with Romany and Traveller heritage.

  • Tunji Makanju

Finance Manager at the Fairtrade Foundation.

  • Giorgio Mariani

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

  • Mark Penfold

ASIST trained mental health crises volunteer and an English Gypsy.

  • Helena Kiely-Savin (Chair)

Joined the board in 2020. 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.

Website

Funders

Supported By BBC Cin - Portrait     TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0ESP Logo - PNG Image JRCT  LBF_RGB_Horizontal-01hackney  Trust for London logo   

  • Baring Foundation
  • BBC Children in Need
  • Heritage Fund
  • Irish Government Emigrant Support Programme
  • Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
  • Lloyds Bank Foundation
  • London Borough of Hackney
  • London Community Response Fund
  • Trust for London