Our Board

Philippa Charles

Philippa is Director of the Garfield Weston Foundation, a family-founded grant-making trust. Before joining the trust, she worked in a global role at Associated British Foods. Philippa has just completed two terms as a Trustee for ThinkForward; a charity supporting disadvantaged young people. She also sits on the Investment Committee of Social and Sustainable Capital.

Why did you first become a trustee of Smart Works?

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.

What is your proudest Smart Works moment?

Seeing the organisation reach its 5th birthday with 7 great centres across the country and so many success stories.

Who is the female role model who has most inspired you?

Inspiration comes from so many places – from my amazing Grandma and Mother to my lovely neighbour coping with mental health issues and family challenges whilst studying and working. All of them are totally brilliant.

Tiffanie Darke

Tiffanie is an Editor in Chief who has worked with many media brands including Harrods, the Sunday Times, Biography and the History Channel. She was the Founder and Director of the creative content agency Method, where she created editorial campaigns for brands across The Sunday Times, The Times and The Sun, and now runs an editorial consultancy, Story Studios, based in London and New York. It was as Editor in Chief of The Sunday Times’s Style magazine that Tiffanie first encountered Smart Works. She built a longstanding relationship between Style’s readers and the charity, and when she left continued to work with the charity by serving on the Board. A passionate supporter, Tiffanie profiled the charity in her recent book with Harper Collins, Now We Are 40, Whatever Happened to Generation X?

Why did you first become a trustee of Smart Works?

Three reasons: Firstly, it’s such a smart business model, secondly it has an enviable success rate (60% of our clients find jobs!) 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.

What is your proudest Smart Works moment?

I get it every time I explain the charity to someone who doesn’t yet know it. It’s such a brilliant idea, and every one immediately understands that the moment they hear it.

Who is the female role model who has most inspired you?

Every woman who keeps on. Life is hard, and there are some challenging moments, and some women have way more challenges than others. Those women that never give up, refuse to take no for an answer, and keep on, no matter what is happening to them, are those for whom I have the greatest admiration.

Maggie Darling

Maggie is a journalist, writer and experienced campaigner.  She is also patron of Circle, an Edinburgh-based charity which works with the most isolated and vulnerable families.

Why did you first become a trustee of Smart Works?

Women just get it. It doesn’t take a lot of explaining to understand why what Smart Works does matters. We all know the importance of feeling good.

What is your proudest Smart Works moment?

I’ve never felt so proud to be part of an organisation: the shared passion, the empathy, is inspiring.  It’s women working with women, with a shared understanding of what it means and why it matters.

Fiona Holmes

Fiona started her career at Marks & Spencer, where she spent 21 years specialising in Buying & Merchandising.  She then took leadership positions at Charles Tyrwhitt, Gray and Osborone and Figleaves amongst others. Fiona is also a non-executive director of Bagir and a Governor at Downe House School.  She also served as a trustee of the Octavia Foundation for five years.

Why did you first become a trustee of Smart Works?

To help women get into work as I believe that it is a great  way to empower them to improve their lives and the lives of those around them.

What is your proudest Smart Works moment?

Seeing a strategy working as we open regional offices that enable us to support more women.

Who is the female role model who has most inspired you?

Gosh there are so many to choose from; Sheryl Sandberg “leaning in” is a great read and I love Coco Chanel’s values and vision.

Ewa Kerin

Ewa started her career as a Mathematics teacher in Gloucestershire, teaching children between 11-18 years of age.  She then also trained as an accountant and moved to work in London as a Financial Controller with JP Morgan.  Over the past 25 years or so, she has worked in a variety of finance roles at JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, Willis Towers Watson and HSBC.  During her time in the City, Ewa has championed and led a number of initiatives aimed at progressing female development in the corporate workplace.

Why did you first become a Trustee of Smart Works?

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.

What is your proudest Smart Works moment?

Being asked to become Treasurer at such an important and exciting time in Smart Work’s evolution.  Every time someone asks me what Smart Works do, I am incredibly proud to say that I am part of a team that makes a real difference to people’s lives.

Who is the female role model who has most inspired you?

It’s tricky to pick just one as there are a number of role models that I admire and continually take inspiration from.  However, one remarkable woman in particular embodies many of the values and behaviours that I particularly admire – Marie Curie Sklodowska.  An incredible woman who is best known for her pioneering research on radioactivity but also someone who never lost of her sense of Polish identity, and overcame unimaginable barriers to make a remarkable contribution to people’s lives.  Marie Curie was known for her hard work, honesty, humility and bravery in never ceasing to do the right thing, no matter how great the risks.  I challenge anyone to read Marie’s biography and not be inspired.

Amelia Wallace Mendoza

Amelia has had a varied career in fashion and retail, including setting up fashion retail operations for Agnes B in London and leading product development for the graphic designer Tibor Kalman in New York.  Amelia is a member of the Smart Works volunteer dressing team.

Why did you first become a trustee of Smart Works?

Smart Works is a charity that gives women the help and support needed to transform their lives, and I am honoured to be a trustee.

What is your proudest Smart Works moment?

Every time I volunteer, seeing the expression on a client’s face when she comes out of the dressing room and looks in the mirror.

Who is the female role model who has most inspired you?

My mother, who raised her family while working full time and studying for a doctorate that changed the course of her career. 

Jane Shepherdson CBE

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 MBE 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.

Why did you first become a trustee of Smart Works?

I have been a Patron for some time and wanted to become more involved in this brilliant and hugely successful charity.

What is your proudest Smart Works moment?

Every time I dress someone and help them to get the confidence to nail that job.

Who is the female role model who has most inspired you?

Gloria Steinem – what a feminist icon!

Claire Spencer-Churchill

Claire works in fashion wholesale across Europe and the Middle East. Having run Claret Showroom for 14 years she recently launched Splash Paris, Europe’s premium Resortwear tradeshow.

Why did you first become a trustee of Smart Works?

I whole heartily believe that being in a work place can provide unrivalled confidence. Lives can and have been transformed by Smart Works, the power that clothes and interview training provide is remarkable.

What is your proudest Smart Works moment?

Being asked to be a trustee. Every time I talk about Smart Work I feel proud to be part of such a grassroots charity making a difference on a daily basis.

Who is the female role model who has most inspired you?

I couldn’t name one! The women in my family, those in my office, the women at Smart Works. All around me, I’m inspired every day.

Natalie Abou-Alwan

With over 20 years’ experience in the energy trading industry, Natalie started her career as a private practice lawyer in both UK and Wall Street law firms. She joined JPMorgan in 2006 as part of the initial team establishing and expanding the investment bank’s European commodities trading business. In 2012, Natalie moved to BP plc where she supported the organisation’s global oil trading business and currently manages a team supporting BP’s low carbon businesses. She was recognised on the 2017 Legal 500 General Counsel Powerlist as a Rising Star in the Energy Industry. 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.

Why did you first become a trustee of Smart Works?

I felt that 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.

What is your proudest Smart Works moment?

The success rate is astounding and I believe will only increase as we grow each of our centres and encourage more women to challenge themselves, to step outside their comfort zone and to succeed in their goals.

Who is the female role model who has most inspired you?

There are so many, but I would have to start at the beginning, with the first woman I met, my mother. She represents the strength and gentleness that so many women balance so well and has experienced love, loss, laughter and courage with such humility and grace.