Who we are

Glasspool is an endowed trust managed by eight trustee-directors and administered by four staff members. The Board is supported by three sub-committees, finance, grants and human resources. Each committee has a Chair, Deputy Chair, and at least two other trustee, supported by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Trustees

Kerri Phillips, Chair of Trustees
Kerri joined Glasspool in 2012 and became Chair in December 2021. She has been a Civil Servant since 2002, working in various departments including the Cabinet Office, the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Ministry of Justice. During London 2012, she was responsible for operational communications on the Olympic Park.

“It is a joy to work as part of the Glasspool family and I know that we are 100% focussed on supporting people who most need our help.  I love the way the Board and team work together. We and have built an open, supportive culture where everyone is encouraged to put ideas forward.  We are excited about our future and we will continue to look at how we can build on our strong foundations to improve the impact of the work that we do.”

Charles Mesquita, Deputy Chair of Trustees and Chair of Finance Sub-committee
Charles joined the Glasspool Board in 2016. He is also trustee of Bowel Research UK and PRISM the Gift Fund. Charles is the Charities Director at Quilter Cheviot investment Management and has worked for a number of leading financial institutions. He founded the Charities Property Fund, the first Common Investment Fund investing in UK commercial property and also established the first programme focused on ongoing education for charity trustees.

“It’s a privilege to be part of Glasspool’s Trustee Board. The passion and commitment of the team to go the extra mile, to truly make a difference is intoxicating. We have no fear of failure, we are open to challenge and new ways of thinking. But we always remain focused on the common purpose; improving lives of our beneficiaries. Trustees and staff are encouraged to share views openly. Ultimately, the prize is being part of an amazing organisation that is quietly remarkable.  I thank Mr Glasspool for his vision and for the part we’re able to play in making society a better place. This is what I was promised when I joined Glasspool and it has not disappointed.”

Jacinta Belai, Chair of Grants Sub-committee
Jacinta has been a trustee with Glasspool since 2018. She is a member of the ACO’s PR Communications group and also serves on the 360Giving steering committee, which focuses on enhancing transparency and effectiveness in grant making. Jacinta is a philanthropy advisor and researcher on best practice, helping people find clarity and direction to enable them to engage in their philanthropy.

She is a volunteer at a foodbank and mentor to students at the Centre for Charity Effectiveness and UnLtd, the foundation for social entrepreneurs.

“Being a trustee director has been a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. It’s made all the more special by the deep commitment of the staff and fellow board members, who are driven to achieving the best for its beneficiaries amidst an ever-challenging environment. I feel very proud to be part of the growing Glasspool family, where kindness, rigour and integrity are threaded throughout.”

Andrea Allocco, Chair of Human Resources Sub-committee
Andrea joined as a trustee with Glasspool in March 2019. She was looking for a way to give back to the community, share her skills with a charitable organisation and expand her experiences. She was drawn to Glasspool by the simplicity of how a washing machine can have an immediate and positive difference to an individual or family’s life. Since then, she has learned so much more and enjoys all her interactions with the dedicated team of staff and trustees.

In her ‘day job’, she is a partner in PwC’s Audit practice providing financial reporting and accounting technical support to a wide range of UK companies. She also leads the People and Resourcing agenda for a team of over 150 individuals. Although she is an accountant by day, her passion is strategic thinking, and how Glasspool can most efficiently and effectively reach those in hardship.

"It has been an absolute privilege to work with the Glasspool organisation over the past four years. It is a small but mighty team with a strong learning culture and a focus on helping others in the best way possible."

Sophie Outhwaite, Deputy Chair of Finance Sub-committee
Sophie joined Glasspool in 2019 and wanted to find a trustee position to "give something back" to society. She brings to the table some 15 years’ financial services industry experience and has been qualified to provide investment advice since 2012. As a member of the Finance Sub-committee, Sophie takes an active role in monitoring our investments, as well as how managers integrate environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors into their investment process. Sophie is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment and holder of the CFA Institute’s Certificate in ESG Investing.

“Glasspool has not only opened my eyes to the day-to-day struggle of thousands of individuals, but it’s given me the opportunity to work alongside and learn from bright, thoughtful and passionate people. I'm grateful to them for teaching me better ways to think, listen and express ideas. Openly exploring what we are trying to achieve and critically evaluating how we do it, without fear of failure, has been the most fulfilling journey of my professional career and has constructively impacted the way I approach all aspects of my life. I’m proud that my investment knowledge and expertise can be used in a way that supports those facing hardship; as part of the Finance Sub-Committee, I am dedicated to implementing our investment policy to protect the endowment in real terms whilst targeting a robust stream of income to support our beneficiaries through our Flexible Frontline Fund.”

Louise McCarthy, Deputy Chair of Grants Committee
Louise became a Glasspool trustee in 2021. Through her career as a welfare rights officer and housing advisor, Louise has seen first-hand the struggles people face and the barriers they have to overcome, in order to move forward with their lives.  After seeing the impact Glasspool grants had, Louise decided to become a trustee.

“Volunteering for Glasspool is both rewarding and enjoyable. The team is driven by a shared commitment to the objectives of the charity and I find the energy of the trustee meetings to be positive and invigorating.”

Denise Lenton, Deputy Chair of Human Resources Sub-committee
Denise joined Glasspoop during 2014. She is a HR professional with extensive experience in the public sector, mainly with London boroughs but also with district councils. As well as being CIPD qualified, Denise is a trained coach and counsellor. When Denise was approached to conduct a review of Glasspool’s HR policies and procedures, she was so impressed with its work, she decided to become a trustee. 

“I wanted to get involved with Glasspool because it’s a “no-frills” charity with low operating costs yet delivering grants effectively and efficiently. I can still scarcely believe that Glasspool can receive a grant application on Monday and have a washing machine delivered and fitted by Friday. That must relieve so much stress from a family or individual under pressure.”

Staff

Julie Green, Chief Executive
Julie was appointed Chief Executive in 2016. Since then, she has built collaborative partnerships across the grant-giving sector and led the development of innovative grant programmes within Glasspool, to increase the impact of its grant giving. 

Julie was a trustee at the membership body, Association of Charitable Organisations for six years, stepping down at the end of her term in 2022. Active in the community, Julie co-founded the Queens Boundary Community, an initiative set up in 2012 to develop community cohesion in Walthamstow, and she currently volunteers at a food bank and a community café in Waltham Forest. Julie has years of experience in grant-making, community and business development gained through roles at Greenwich and Lambeth Councils, the Camelot Foundation, the MS Society, and HCT Group.

“Working in a small team means that no one day is the same.  I’m passionate about Glasspool’s direct impact on those facing hardship and proud to be in a team of dedicated and talented staff and trustees.”

Nicole Woodward, Grants Manager
Nicole has worked at Glasspool since 2007 and has contributed to many positive changes over the years. These include the digitalisation of the grant application process, the development of new grant programmes and strengthening partnerships with frontline grant delivery organisations.

“I’m proud to work for a trust that makes such a difference. Over the last 17 years, I’ve been able to assist in getting millions of pounds worth of grants and white goods to people facing hardship. That’s my motivation.”