Our Board

With over 20 years’ experience in the project finance, energy and commodities industries, Natalie started her career as a private practice lawyer in both U.K. and Wall Street law firms. In 2012, Natalie moved to BP plc where she held various leadership positions in the global oil trading and low carbon businesses. Natalie has volunteered for several charities including as a make-up artist for Look Good Feel Better and as an event organiser for The Circle NGO.

“The message Smart Works delivers is both simple and impactful: we are here to help those women who need it the most, by building their confidence, self-belief, self-worth and ultimately their happiness. It is an absolute privilege to work alongside such a diverse and talented Board, to further develop Smart Works’ reach.”

With a career spanning both commercial and charitable sectors, Philippa is Director of national grant-maker the Garfield Weston Foundation. In a voluntary capacity she has significant previous Board experience including youth employment charity ThinkForward and Social & Sustainable Capital which makes loans to not-for-profit organisations. She is currently a Trustee of the Barratt Foundation.  In 2020 she was made a Companion of the Chartered Institute of Management, in 2021 she was made a Fellow of the RSA and in 2022 she was honoured with an OBE for services to the charitable sector.

“I’m passionate about supporting women to succeed. Smart Works is full of amazing people – the clients, patrons, volunteers and staff – and I’m keen to do my best for them.”

Tiffanie is an experienced author, editor and storyteller. Having worked as an Editor in Chief for Sunday Times Style, A+E Networks and Harrods, she then founded Story Studios, a creative content and strategy studio, which works with fashion, luxury and wellness brands to create a clear and distinct voice in culture. Her most recent book, Now we are 40, Whatever Happened to Generation X? was published by Harper Collins.

“There are three reasons I love Smart Works: Firstly, it’s such a smart business model, secondly it has an enviable success rate and finally, and for me most compellingly, it is one of those places where you really feel the very special atmosphere of women helping women.”

Ewa Kerin is the Honorary Treasurer of Smart Works. She is also a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at Daiwa Capital Markets Europe. Ewa is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Certified Accountants and has held a number of senior positions within the Financial Services industry for over 25 years at JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, Willis Towers Watson and HSBC.

“I wanted to work with a team that all shared the same passion for helping women be successful and feel good about themselves, so am incredibly fortunate to have joined the committed and talented team that is Smart Works.”

Sim has worked in Buying & Merchandising for high street fashion retail for 30 years. She became Brand Director for Miss Selfridge, part of the Arcadia Group in 2003. She is Deputy Chair of the University of the Arts London, a NED at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Deputy Chair for the newly formed NHS Buckingham, Oxford and Berkshire West Integrated Care System. Sim is a fellow of the RSA.

“I am thrilled to become a Trustee for Smart Works where I can’t wait to contribute to the growth and continued success of this life-changing charity.”

Jane Shepherdson is a leading figure in fashion retail, having been CEO of Whistles and before that Brand Director at Topshop. Jane is also Creative Advisor to Oxfam and a patron of the Almeida Theatre in North London. Jane is involved in the promotion and support of young designers through the London College of Fashion’s Centre of Fashion Enterprise, and she helped to promote Fair Trade fashion to a wider audience as a Board member of Peopletree until 2013. Jane was awarded an CBE in 2006 for services to fashion retail. Jane is proud to be a regular dressing volunteer in North London and is passionate about Smart Works.

“There are many things I love about Smart Works but the main one is the moment that I dress someone and help them to get the confidence and nail that job.”

Claire is the co-owner of Claret Showroom. A London, Paris and New York based fashion distributor operating across Europe and the USA. In 2016 she founded Splash Paris. Europe’s leading Resortwear Tradeshow, a biannual show during Paris Fashion Week.

“Everything Smart Works represents resonates with me. I’m passionate about fashion, women at work and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”

Partner at Schillings and a leading lawyer in her field, Rachel advises on all issues relating to reputation and privacy protection. For the last 30 years, she has worked with successful entrepreneurs and families, helping them build their business empires and reputations while protecting their right to privacy – and passionately believes reputation is the bedrock of a healthy business.

“The concept behind Smart Works is simple and brilliant.  I feel privileged to work with the experts on the Smart Works team and am excited to help more women find the confidence they need to maximise their potential.”