Meet Our Chair & Trustees
As a registered charity, a board of trustees governs The Squad. Together they bring a wealth of experience from different backgrounds and are responsible for the overall governance of the charity. All trustees are unpaid – they volunteer their time and expertise for free.
Chair - Jess Raza
Jess joined The Squad as a trustee in January 2017, taking up up the role of Secretary; and then in January 2018, Chair. Jess works as a corporate lawyer for an environmental consultancy practice, and used to be involved in managing charity and pro bono programmes back in her home country of Australia.
Deputy Chair - Ro Osborne
Ro joined The Squad in 2018 and has worked in marketing in the UK and the US for over 20 years. She brings her marketing and commerce experience to the team as well as her knowledge of organising and running events. Outside of her marketing work, Ro is a qualified Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor, teaching fitness classes and PT to corporate client companies.
Deputy Chair - Phil Catt
Phil joined The Squad as a trustee in 2020. He works as a Commercial Manager for a national sport governing body, overseeing sponsorship and marketing initiatives for some of the organisation’s commercial partners. Phil’s early career included working closely with adults with physical disabilities before moving into fundraising and events, followed by various sports marketing agencies and other national governing bodies
Trustee - Nick Beaugié
Nick has been involved with the Squad since 2003, joining first as a volunteer at what is now the Juniors Club. He's been a trustee since 2006. He is our IT guy, bringing skills from his day job as a Software Engineer for a well-known website.Trustee - Charlie Bowrey
Charlie volunteered at The Squad for 4 years before becoming a trustee in 2013. She has greatly enjoyed working in both capacities. She has worked in marketing for 16 years and brings this commercial experience to the club.
Trustee - Sidi Shatku
Sidi's career has mainly been focused within the financial markets. He has graduated in Economics in Milan and New York and received his Masters in Investment Management in London. His main contribution for The Squad has a finance and treasury focus.
Trustee - Clare Conroy
Clare has been involved in the charity sector for many years, having volunteered and worked for both large and small organisations. She joined the Squad as a trustee in 2018 and brings her fundraising and events experience to the board.
Trustee - Taj Singh
Taj joins The Squad as a Trustee and brings his broad experience in corporate sales and entrepreneurship to the board, with an ambition to foster the next phase of growth for The Squad. Taj joins The Squad from his own personal family experience with learning disabilities and hopes to make an impactful positive difference to the leaning disabilities community.
Trustee - Tony Dixon
Tony's early career included roles supporting children and adults with learning disabilities in educational and social care sectors. He now works in the financial services sector as a financial crime compliance specialist having gained over 10 years experience in compliance roles in the public and private sector. Tony joined The Squad in 2020.
Trustee - Ed Harrod
Ed helps out with all things IT. He works as a software engineer for a digital identity startup. As well as volunteering, he is also passionate about teaching others how to code, predominantly young people.
Trustee - Diana Iovanel
Diana joined The Squad as a trustee in early 2021, to begin her journey in operating charities. She works in investment management, having studied and worked in the UK, Sweden and Romania. She brings her analytical and organizational skills to the board, looking to understand more about learning disabilities.
Trustee - Maria Olaribigbe
Maria joined The Squad as a trustee in early 2021 and loves getting involved in strengthening communities. She has a background in Neuroscience and Public Health and hopes to bring her knowledge and skills to the board. Maria is determined to make a positive impact within the community.Trustee - Sarah Williams
Sarah joined the Squad as a Trustee in early 2021. Sarah has worked in Central Banking for almost forty years. She brings to the Board her experience of running operations, project delivery, analytical and governance skills.