Launchpad's Trustees

Launchpad's trustees give their time and expertise to make sure we are doing the best we can to provide vital accommodation and effective support to vulnerable people in Reading.

Hannah Powell, Chair

Hannah works for the Probation Service. She is involved with a wide network of local organisations in Reading aimed at supporting people to make changes in their lives.

Bill Montague, Vice Chair

Bill qualified as a solicitor in 1983 and co-founded Dexter Montague in 1987. With a broad range of experience, Bill’s personal practice concentrates on advising business and voluntary sector clients on their legal affairs. This includes property, strategic and operational matters.

Alison Wright, Vice Chair

Ali moved to Reading to start a career in technology. She has held a number of leadership positions and is currently a senior Director at Microsoft UK. As a working mother and a dyslexic Ali has also been a keen supporter for building diversity within the technology sector. In her spare time Ali has engaged in extensive volunteer work across a range of institutions including Reading Youth Offending Services and the All Night Café homeless shelter run by New Beginnings.

Fiona Hammond, Trustee

Fiona hails from Wolverhampton but studied to Masters’ degree level in History at Reading University, specialising in early modern strategic interventions into poverty. She has spent nearly 20 years working in Business, Management and IT consultancy, more recently, she has been working in business and people leadership for Transport for London. She wants to make a difference, change the perception and impact of poverty on the local community.

Deborah Edwards, Trustee

has been a Labour Southcote Councillor since 2006, Worshipful Mayor of Reading for the 2011/2012 and 2018/2019 terms, and Deputy Mayor 2022/2023. She volunteers as a school governor and is Chair of SITE (Southcote Information Technology Experience). Deborah believes in life-long learning and personal development for all. She is passionate about offering the best possible support to vulnerable people in Reading.

Ian Haslam, Trustee

Ian Haslam, Trustee Ian is a geophysicist by training and has worked in oil and gas exploration for over 30 years. Ian was a Launchpad volunteer for three years before being asked to become a trustee. He is active in the community - working in climate change mitigation groups and volunteers for other charities, including the Prince's Trust.

Anna Bailey, Trustee

Anna grew up in Reading and after some time away to spread her wings, has returned and is now raising a young family here. She is a Chartered Accountant and has worked as a Finance Leader in various organisations during her 16-year long career. This is her first venture into Trusteeship after realising that life is about more than work, and wanting to use her finance qualifications and knowledge to support and make a difference to her local community.

Matt Andrews, Trustee

Matt is a qualified architect, which means we can easily access essential professional property advice. Matt has been a trustee for many years.

Joycee Rebelo, Trustee

Joycee found her passion for community service through years of volunteering at a local soup kitchen—an experience that deeply shaped her understanding of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness. This experience sparked a strong commitment to social justice and community advocacy. Since then, she has served in multiple trustee capacities, working to uplift communities and drive better outcomes through equity, inclusion, and fair access to services for all.

Phil Jones, Trustee

Phil is VP of Partnerships at Double verify, with extensive experience in sales, marketing and business development. He’s passionate about helping people and has worked with several charities, mentoring groups and individuals from challenged backgrounds.

Amy Brunsdon, Trustee

Amy was born and raised in Reading. She has been a volunteer with Launchpad for over seven years as a Charity Ambassador supporting events and community engagements. Professionally Amy has over 10 years’ experience working in digital communications in the technology (B2B & consumer), telecoms and startup sectors both in-house and agency. Amy currently works for Vodafone Business leading a digital skills programme for small business owners.

We are always interested to hear from people who’d like to be involved with Launchpad as a trustee. Get in touch with us if you’d like an informal chat about what the commitment of being a trustee involves. Email: enquiries@launchpadreading.org.uk

Homelessness

About Us

Launchpad’s Trustees