Home-Start Wandsworth is governed by a group of volunteer trustees. Their job is to guide and govern the scheme and each trustee brings a different skill. They meet regularly to plan the direction of the charity and lead any activities that support the work of the coordinators and volunteers.
Helen Blenkinsop, Chair
Helen joins Home-start Wandsworth after a successful career in the public sector. As a senior manager at the BBC she has extensive experience of operational, strategy, policy and partnership development. During her career Helen has been a Trustee for a media related charity, as well as led on a number of charitable and training partnerships for the BBC. She has lived in Wandsworth for more than 30 years and her four children were all born and educated in the borough. Helen is keen to use her experience to benefit child-focused charities and has completed the Home-Start Wandsworth volunteer training programme. Email:Helen@homestartwandsworth.org.uk
Holly Stilgoe, Vice Chair and Fundraising
Holly became a trustee in early 2015, having been a home-visiting volunteer for Home-Start since 2014. She used to work as a criminal defence solicitor at a local firm and has extensive experience of volunteering. She also volunteers with Little Village, one of Home-Start Wandsworth’s local charity partners. She has been Vice Chair of Trustees since 2017, supporting the role of the Chair and leading the fundraising events committee.
Jamie Yuksel, HR
Jamie works in a Senior HR & People function within the ESG space, with a specific focus on all things HR and L&D but also a keen interest in diversity and inclusion, organisational design, legislation compliance, human rights due diligence and labour rights. Having participated actively in Home-Start Wandsworth’s fundraising events throughout his childhood, at this stage in his career, he’s excited to provide support with his expertise and offer a different perspective where possible across the organisation.
Jamie Fergusson, Treasurer and Risk
Jamie began a career in investment management and worked for a number of years with Jupiter Asset Management before moving into roles in private practice as a consultant financial adviser, specialising in investment management and personal tax planning. He became a trustee and honorary adviser to the finance committee of the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund in 2012, a charity which provides financial and practical help to doctors, medical students and their families who by reason of mental or physical ill health find themselves unable to practise or in financial difficulties. He joined Home-Start Wandsworth as a trustee in 2015 and was appointed Treasurer in 2021.
Jeremy Leung
Jeremy joined Home-Start Wandsworth as a trustee in December 2021. He started his career working for a financial technology company before moving to UBS, a Swiss-based financial services company. He is currently a portfolio manager working in the equities team managing discretionary funds for a range of clients including institutions. Jeremy brings his experience working in financial services and also has a keen interest in technology and diversity & inclusion.
Dr Niki Salt, Safeguarding
Niki became a Home-Start Wandsworth trustee in September 2024. She is a doctor who trained in paediatrics and then as a GP. Niki has been working as a local Wandsworth GP for almost 30 years, so has a good working knowledge of health and social care in Wandsworth. In addition to her clinical role, Niki has spent a considerable amount of time teaching doctors, medical students and parents in areas relevant to healthy child development, and will bring her skills in these areas, as well as her experience of safeguarding, to her role as a Home-Start trustee.
Bryony Rustard, Fundraising
Bryony has lived in the Wandsworth Area for over 20 years and was a home-visiting volunteer for Home Start. She worked at JP Morgan before having her 3 daughters. Since then, she has been active in the local community as Treasurer of a local Playgroup and Chair of a school PTA. Bryony is still an active member of the volunteer community helping with the Weekly Walk and Talk Sessions for Home-Start families. Bryony is the volunteer trustee working with the team to develop our future strategy. She also brings her fundraising and project management skills to help with community engagement and event organisation.
Emma Bowman
Emma joined Home-Start Wandsworth as a Trustee in September 2024. Emma has lived and brought up six children in Wandsworth for the last forty years. Emma has worked in investment banking for 35 years, during this time she has worked with many charities and run charitable partnerships with banks as well as managed big charitable fund raising events. Emma is passionate about every child getting the best start in life and hopes through her work with Home-Start Wandsworth to make a real difference to children’s lives.
Tracey Tynan, Marketing and Communications
Tracey became a trustee in September 2024 and brings substantial leadership experience in the charity sector, particularly in communications and influencing roles. She has led successful campaigns on issues including special educational needs, stem cell donation, children’s literacy and cancer care, and is keen to use her professional background to support Home-Start Wandsworth to raise awareness in the local area. Tracey has lived in Wandsworth for 20 years and has three young children in local schools.
Tutu Kamara, Risk
Tutu is a Chartered Certified Accountant and corporate governance professional with over two decades’ experience in internal audit, risk management and financial controls. She has held roles within the fintech, asset management, banking and insurance financial services sectors. She has a proven track record of advising on and implementing risk mitigation measures, regulatory compliance, and of fostering organisational resilience, thus ensuring robust frameworks for governance and financial oversight. She was appointed as a trustee in September 2024 and is also a trustee of The Hornsby House School PTA.
Shelley Twitchin
Shelley is a strategic leader, concert clarinettist and qualified accountant with a proven track record in promoting financial stability and growth. A graduate from world-class conservatoires and an ACCA Fellow, Shelley has worked extensively in practice and in industry, finding a passion for the not-for-profit, arts, culture, and education sectors. Currently a Partner with Counterculture Partnership LLP, Shelley has held senior financial and strategic roles at Kings Place and the Yehudi Menuhin School with a focus on delivering long-term financial sustainability. A 20-years-long Wandsworth resident and mother of three, Shelley is passionate about serving her local community and local families.
