Our trustees direct how we run and help to make sure that the needs of our beneficiaries are put first.
Daniel is Grants Manager at Walcot Foundation, an endowed Foundation tackling poverty in Lambeth. He has 25 years experience in the voluntary sector including a number of grant-making foundations as well as setting up and running a debt counselling centre in SW London. He also co-founded and was trustee for nine years at Junction Community Trust which runs a borough-wide Foodbank and youth employment project.
Dr Jayawardana is a co-production specialist with 12 years' experience working with marginalised communities. She is the Community Participation Lead at the International Slavery Museum and has volunteered at the Epsom & Ewell Foodbank since 2019, sorting donations, managing projects, and assisting with the East Surrey Poverty Truth Commission and COVID-19 response.
Diane is Service Account Manager at the world’s leading Insurance Market and has over 25 years experience in the Financial and Insurance sectors. She was a trustee at Ewell Christian Fellowship Trust for over 12 years, 10 years as Chair of Trustees. During her time as Chair, Diane oversaw the creation of the Epsom & Ewell Foodbank and helped navigate the complexities facing the Epsom and Ewell Foodbank during the Covid pandemic.
David is a retired energy industry director with 33 years experience at British Gas, Centrica and innogy. He led the development of major offshore wind farms and was elected as Director and Treasurer of Renewable UK, the trade association for renewable power. David has volunteered at Epsom & Ewell Foodbank for 7 years, supporting the warehousing operation, facilities improvement, strategic change and the development of the first East Surrey Poverty Truth Commission.
Devenia Besant is owner of local business directory Epsom and Ewell Families. The platform focuses on connecting the local community with businesses, services and charities as well as communicating relevant local information across the directory’s social media platforms. She has run many local charity events and she has been a supporter of the Foodbank for approximately 7 years.
Sophia (Treasurer) is an Actuary and Pensions Consultant [with XPS Pensions Group]. Her background is in financial management and she has 25 years’ experience working with and supporting pension scheme trustees. Sophia has been an active volunteer and supporter at the Epsom and Ewell Foodbank since March 2020, delivering food parcels throughout the lockdowns as well as meeting clients and giving out food parcels at our Leatherhead distribution centre.
Laura is the Executive Director of the Refugee and Migration Policy Project. She has previously worked in policy, advocacy and campaigning roles at international development charities Christian Aid and Tearfund, and served as a Trustee for Epsom Baptist Church and The Climate Coalition. She lives in Epsom with her family and joined the Good Company Board of Trustees in 2023
Karina is a senior civil servant, and has worked in government for over 30 years, leading large teams and managing complex change projects. She has lived in Epsom for 20 years and has volunteered, as trustee, with local community groups and schools for the past 15 years.
Clare is a lawyer with 15 years experience advising on countless complex commercial real estate transactions. She chairs the Law Society Property Section, lectures at the University of Westminster and has published many books on legal practice. She lives with her family in Ewell and has long been involved in projects to support local community fundraising and cohesion.
Our mission is to see a community free from poverty, where everyone can afford life’s essentials.
