Team | The Foyer Federation

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.