As well as our wonderful staff team, the Foyer Federation works closely with expert consultants to design and deliver programmes and training, in collaboration with young people, and with the guidance of our insightful Board of Trustees.

Joel Lewis
Chief Executive
Project manager, designer, self-builder, director, friend, husband and father... In each life role I am a real mix of creative energy and practical endeavour, seeking to bring people together.

Kate Russell
Head of Programmes and Network
I'm passionate about people, contributing to an equitable society, accessible communication and positive thinking. I’m also a skater, sea swimmer, reader, board game player and accidental killer of houseplants.

Sebastian Graça da Silva
Network and Youth Engagement Manager
Educator/ Vegan / Traveller/ Geography nerd. Passionate about working on projects that make a difference and have real world benefits. I am a zealous traveller with 84 countries in my backpack and I'm a boss on the online game GeoGuesser

Rachel Middleton
Company Secretary and Executive Assistant
I am passionate about helping young people to lead full and rewarding lives. My background is in teaching, youth support, management and governance. I'm a vegetable grower, jam-maker and quizzer. I also love learning other languages.

Alix Dreiling
Communications and Membership Officer
Creative and committed to positively impact on the outcomes for young people, my background is in teaching and the arts. You can find me either outdoors hiking or indoors weaving willow.

Colin Falconer
External Consultant and Assessor
I have a background in teaching, developed Advantaged Thinking for Foyer Federation in the 2000s, and established InspireChilli to support asset-based innovations across Europe and Australia (I love travelling).

David Gold
Patron for Advantaged Thinking
Executive Chair of Prospectus, trustee for the charities Glimmer of Hope UK and Make-A-Wish UK, and patron of Greenhouse and SEUK.
Trustees

Alastair Wilson
Chair
Chief Executive of School for Social Entrepreneurs. Co-founder and Board member of Tonic Housing and Board member of Cabrach Trust.

Bernice Williams
Vice Chair
Head of Brand Communications for LiveWest housing association.

Sabira Kanji
Treasurer
Director of Corporate Services and Finance at SEUK, Fellow Member of CIMA, Executive MBA from Cass Business School.

Andy Ward
Network Trustee
Manager of Young People’s Services at Your Housing Group and passionate supporter of the Foyer model.

Kate Gillespie
Network Trustee
Head of Accommodation and Support Services at YMCA Derbyshire. Formerly Derventio Housing Trust, Action Housing and Support, and Derby Council.

Joe Rich
Trustee
Head of Youth Voice at The National Lottery Community Fund. Former Youth Engagement Manager at Clarion Housing Group, and founder of HAYN.

Fiona Lin
Trustee
Background in corporate mergers and acquisitions, with a focus on law and insurance.

Damilaara Adeyemi
Young Trustee
Marketing and Communications Officer at Wipers Youth and graphic/web designer for various charities. Believer in increasing social mobility for young people.