Meet the people that drive our work

After having been a part of the First Give programme a few years ago, the thought of now being a part of the Board is both unbelievable but also such a reflection of First Give's commitment to empowering and listening to the voices of young people. I'm excited to be a part of the Board, and can't wait to see what I can bring to the table!

Sinclair founded Pret a Manger in 1986, followed by the Hoxton Hotel in 2006. He continues to start up and invest in an assortment of businesses. Sinclair, with the strong support of the Pears Foundation, was part of First Give’s founding team. He felt that young people represent the future and was keen to teach them how to help others, less fortunate than themselves. A world that empowers young people, ignites a spark of social conscience and fosters a culture of giving, would be a better world.

Rebecca is co-founder and CEO of Reach Academy Trust where she was formally the Executive Headteacher of Reach Academy Feltham. Rebecca has been a trustee of First Give since 2019 and a supporter of the program for much longer. Rebecca lives in St Margarets with her husband and two young sons.

Mike is currently COO of Cumberland Lodge, an educational charity that nurtures young thought leaders to be both ethically minded and committed to social progress. He was previously Deputy CFO of Oxfam GB and has extensive commercial experience. Mike is particularly enthusiastic about helping First Give expand its reach and impact, delivering its programmes to as many young people as possible across the country.

Barry is the Managing Director of London-based brand agency Creative & Commercial. The agency’s passion for the not-for-profit sector is evidenced in its delivery of fundraising campaigns for clients totalling more than £300m. It is this that pushed Barry to First Give - to further the organisation’s mission to take charitable giving to the widest possible audience – staring with those still at school. In his spare time Barry is occasionally a Jewish Chronicle columnist, permanently a father of four & he loves them all as much as he loves Arsenal.

Vishnu is COO of Loupe, a software start up in London and has founded and operated a number of early stage technology companies after several years in finance. He was drawn to First Give’s vision in 2021, to nurture a lifelong habit of giving and that good habits start young

Jeremy's career background is as a senior exec in the tech sector, typically in PE backed enterprises. He has served as a trustee on a number of charity boards. Jeremy joined First Give because he believes it has something very important to teach young people – that giving, in whatever way you can, is a responsibility that we all share, and that there is joy to found in doing so.

Sue is a management consultant, advisor and coach specialising in working with professional services companies. Sue has a passionate desire to change and develop the culture of philanthropy in this country which is she got involved with First Give. Sue is also a trustee of a mental health charity, a magistrate, a school governor and a lay member of a HRA Research Ethics Committee.