Meet the Villiers Park Team

Gaby Sumner

Chief Executive

I am delighted to be Chief Executive, having joined Villiers Park as Director of Fundraising in March 2022. I am proud to lead the organisation and work with brilliant colleagues across our Programmes, Communications, Fundraising and Finance teams, and with our Trustees and volunteers. Together, we deliver transformational programmes for young people that enable them to expand their horizons and realise their potential. We do this thanks to embedded partnerships in schools and FE colleges, partnerships with universities and employers, and the generosity of the individuals, trusts and foundations and companies who support us.

Before joining Villiers Park, I held senior leadership positions for over a decade, most recently as Campaign Director for Cambridge Children’s Hospital, and before that leading fundraising teams at English National Ballet, Tate Liverpool and the Royal Court Theatre, working on inspirational artistic, education and outreach programmes.

Outside of work, I recently completed a Masters in Social Innovation at the University of Cambridge, focusing my research on the use of social impact investment by charities in the UK. I am also a Trustee of Cambridge Junction and Synergy Theatre Project. Having moved to the countryside from the big city a few years ago, I relish a country walk to blow the cobwebs away with family and friends.

Find me on social media:

Jess Bond

Director of Programmes

I joined the Villiers Park team as Director of Programmes in July 2024 and am delighted to be working with the team to deliver on our ambitious strategic priorities and putting young people at the heart of all we do making a tangible, positive difference to their lives and communities.

My professional background has been in higher education and over the past 14 years, I have worked for several university widening participation teams, most recently as Head of Widening Participation at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Whilst in this role I also chaired the Russell Group Universities’ Widening Participation Association.

I am a committed, conscientious and dynamic senior leader, with significant experience of governance, stakeholder engagement strategy development and leveraging partnership working to deliver on shared goals.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, swimming and volunteering as a charity trustee for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

Alex Grant

Assistant Director, Hastings & Bexhill, Tyneside and Early Entry

I have been with Villiers Park for 10 years, first as a Progression Coach (formerly Learning Mentor) and for the last 5 years as Assistant Director for Hastings & Bexhill, Tyneside and Early Entry. I am passionate about supporting young people to choose their own future pathways and have fair opportunities to access them.

Prior to joining Villiers Park, I trained as a dancer at The Royal Ballet School and Rambert School of Dance, before touring nationally and internationally for 6 years. Following my dance career, I moved into dance education with the Hastings & St Leonards Excellence Cluster, working with schools and community groups, before diversifying my role to include youth participation work and "gifted and talented" provision.

Away from work I still enjoy dancing for fun, reading, and family walks by the sea or in the woods.

Julie Kiddier

Assistant Director, Swindon and East of England

My team and I work with schools and colleges across Swindon to deliver the Future Leaders Programme. I joined Villiers Park in 2014, initially as a Progression Coach, and became an Assistant Director in 2017. I have a particular interest in working with employers on our Apprenticeship Support Programme, enabling young people to gain insights into their chosen career paths while developing the knowledge and skills to succeed.

I have an extensive career background in education outreach, including international roles supporting children, young people and adults in various settings. Immediately prior to joining Villiers Park I was a coordinator and part of the teaching team working in a detention centre delivering a literacy and numeracy programme for asylum seekers. I did this alongside a part-time role as Assistant Director at a Language school where I taught various Professional English courses. This followed my role working with the Australian State FE college system supporting Adults returning to Education through an individual tutor outreach programme.

I am a passionate learner myself, having recently completed Level 6 Career Coaching qualification which followed an MA in Education, and I'm looking forward to new challenges in the near future. Otherwise, I'm a mum of two and an enthusiastic heritage volunteer.

Maria Healy

Head of Fundraising and Partnerships 

I joined Villiers Park in July 2022 as Corporate Partnerships Manager. I’m responsible for delivering our current partnerships and developing new ones with companies nationally, to create greater opportunities that benefit the young people we work with.

I am passionate about building partnerships that truly benefit both parties. That means inspirational experiences for our Future Leaders, and insight into supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds for partners. I have been working in the fundraising sector since 2019 and have delivered bespoke, authentic projects that bring in vital funds and invaluable expertise from the companies I have worked with. Whilst living in Cardiff, I worked with the University Outreach team to deliver History and Archaeology workshops across schools in South Wales, to encourage students to consider university as a pathway after college. I have also worked in charities concerning homelessness and drowning, to deliver lifesaving partnerships worth six figures.

Outside of work, I’m a competitive pub-quizzer and keen cyclist around the Cambridge countryside. In the evenings you can find me curled up on the sofa having a cuddle with my two cats, Hector and Winston. I also love a cold dip in the Scottish lochs every summer!

Find me on social media:

Marianne Gluhosky

Finance Manager

I joined Villiers Park in March 2013. My role is broad and has grown over the years to include account processing, recording of donations and submitting Gift Aid claims, cashflow, audits, payroll and HMRC submissions, HR, facilities, IT liaison and other general office functions.

I grew up in Norfolk and started my first full-time job at 15, working for a firm of solicitors. Following that, I spent 25 years working in various sales and operations roles, including Front-of-House Manager at an 80-bedroom hotel in Norwich, Branch Manager for award-winning car rental company at Stansted Airport, and Group Rental and Leasing Manager for a family-owned Ford dealership. I went back to college whilst working to facilitate a career change, and gained my AAT Accounting qualification in 2012. I started my accounting career as Finance Manager for market-leading Biomass boiler installer, joining Villiers Park shortly after. 

I’ve lived near Cambridge since 1998 and love everything it has to offer, especially theatre, museums, music events and places to eat. I’m mum to two elderly rescue guinea pigs. I also love alpacas and giraffes, and was lucky enough to have a recent holiday at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi! I’m a volunteer fundraiser for Guide Dogs, and in any spare time I play cribbage in a league which involves visiting lots of pubs - and yes, I am good and have won many trophies in my lifetime!

Jenny Parr

Programmes Manager

I began working at Villiers Park in 2010 as a Learning Mentor/Progression Coach and since then have managed various teams and projects as Programme Manager and Assistant Director on our Future Leaders Programme. In my current role as Programmes Manager, I lead and coordinate the administrative and organisational functions of the Trust’s programmes to ensure that logistics are in place to deliver effective engagement for our students, residentials and courses.

I am passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of others and supporting young people to reach their fullest potential. I have previously volunteered at residential camps for children with health challenges and disabilities for the children’s charity Over the Wall, as well as at a special educational needs school and Barnardo’s.

Outside of work I enjoy keeping fit at pilates, swimming and dance classes, as well as developing my skills in cake decorating and calligraphy.

Bronagh Sumner

Communications Manager

I joined Villiers Park in May 2023 as Communications Manager. I'm responsible for sharing the positive impact we create at Villiers Park. I work closely with the Programmes and Fundraising Teams to spread the word about all the amazing things happening at Villiers Park.

I am passionate about helping young people from all backgrounds to access the best support and reach their full potential. Previous to my role at Villiers Park I worked in the Employability Team at Nottingham Trent University helping students to plan their careers and perfect their applications. 

Outside of work, I am an avid reader and keen walker. I am enjoying exploring the beautiful countryside around my home in Cambridgeshire.

Find me on social media:

Karen Kingston

Programme Coordinator, Swindon

I am passionate about working with young people to improve their aspirations and social mobility with the help of Villiers Park. I have been part of the Programmes Team for 7 years, delivering coaching sessions, skills workshops and application support. 

I have worked with students in a number of skills-building and pastoral roles during the past 18 years, and I enjoy seeing the Future Leaders find the confidence to take their next step in their academic and life plans.

Outside of work, I love to spend time with my family, going out for walks with our adopted dogs and relaxing with a good book (and some chocolate).

Find me on social media:

Musetta Ripamonti

Programme Coordinator, Hastings & Bexhill

I have spent most of the last two decades working with disadvantaged children in the Hastings and Bexhill area. The last ten years have been with Villiers Park as a mentor/coach. I am a languages graduate with specialisms in the China field and have spent several years in China and Japan, working in education and travelling.

I am an artist in my spare time and enjoy going on Summer camping trips.

Andy Eason

Programme Coordinator, Tyneside

I am passionate about education and removing social barriers. I have been privileged in personally witnessing the impact it has had on the learners I have supported. This is because I have taught for thirty years, and I have always lived close to the schools in which I taught.

I have worked in four different educational establishments. At my penultimate school I was Lead Teacher coaching and mentoring all the staff to support them improve their pedagogy as well as Deputy head of Science. My last educational establishment was a National Pilot School set within a Further Education College. This was a very exciting opportunity as, having achieved the role of Curriculum Leader for Science I was able to develop, virtually from scratch, two new science departments. I was also Curriculum Lead for Stretch and Challenge ( Quality assurance and promoting progression). Our Direct Entry College supported students from the schools across the city in which I worked (not Newcastle) who were failing to progress within regular school settings, as well as home-schooled and school-phobic pupils. We offered a much-reduced academic curriculum with a wider selection of vocational courses. As a brand-new ‘school’ we were closely monitored by OFSTED as we trail-blazed the curriculum and structures required to support the education of our learners in our unique educational framework. During the course of the seven years that I worked there, I am very proud to be able to say, that we achieved “Outstanding” for all of our six inspections.

For the last three years I have worked on the National Tutoring Programme each time working for the DfE’s “preferred partner”. My roles were “Lead Tutor” (20/21), “Schools Engagement Executive” (21/22) and finally School Relations Officer (22/23).

In my spare time I like to be outside! It is important to me to keep fit, so I do resistance training and running, I particularly enjoy trail running. I love getting up into the mountains for hiking and climbing. Every year I canoe on the River Wye. When I holiday abroad I windsurf and sail.

Megan Broughton

Programme Coordinator - East of England

I joined Villiers Park in February 2024 as the Programmes Coordinator for the East of England. I will be coordinating existing programmes in the region, as well as working closely with the Assistant Director of Swindon and Norfolk to set up new initiatives to enable young people to succeed. It is lovely being back at Villiers Park, having previously worked as a Progression Coach (formerly Student Learning Mentor) in 2015-17, and I’m super excited to begin working with the young people in our partner schools and colleges.

Prior to joining Villiers Park, I worked in various Recruitment and Outreach roles at the University of East Anglia to support students with their aspirations, attainment, and applications to university. I also had some time off work to travel, which included two months working with orphaned orangutans in Malaysian Borneo. Waking up to the sound of the jungle was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I feel very lucky to have worked there.

Most of my spare time is taken up by netball (either playing, coaching, or umpiring!), however I also enjoy going for long walks, watching sport, and spending time with my family. To relax, I love watching films whilst cuddled up with my rescue cat Herbert on the sofa!

Catherine Patmore

Programme Coordinator

I began working at Villiers Park in 2022 as a Programmes Coordinator. In my role, I work on our Learning Management System Launchpad. Launchpad offers an array of exciting courses for students on our programme to take part in. I also work on the online courses that we offer with our various partners.
 

I am deeply passionate about promoting social mobility and working with the team to help guide young people to discover the right path for them.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with our family dog, reading and walking on the beach. 

Carys Crow

Schools Partnership Coordinator

I joined Villiers Park in January 2024 as Schools Partnership Coordinator. My role is new to Villiers Park so it’s going to be super exciting to see what I will be getting involved in, especially the residentials!

I work part time as I am a full-time student at university studying Youth and Community Work. I am in my final year, and I am conducting research into the impact of youth work interventions in schools on pupils’ suspension and exclusion rate. This is something I am truly passionate about as I feel that there is so much more that could be done to support children and young people in education, something Villiers Park is passionate about too. Before this role I was a Youth Worker and Project Officer in my local area where I worked with children, young people, and their families, supporting them to reach their potential.

In my spare time I love spending time with my family and friends. I’m a mum to Willow the Cockapoo and thoroughly enjoy walking and taking her on new adventures but it almost always involves coffee! I also really love to sing and perform at all kinds of different events.

Julie Penn

Progression Coach, Swindon

Prior to joining Villiers Park I spent several years working in the secondary education sector. Witnessing how lack of self-belief and opportunities hindered some students from reaching their true potential motivated me to apply to be a Progression Coach. Seeing how the work that we do can make a real difference to student’s performance and aspirations is really rewarding.

Outside of work, I like to keep active and enjoy tap dancing, swimming, gardening and walking. I am also a keen runner and this year completed the London Marathon.

Amy Belham

Progression Coach, Norwich

I joined Villiers Park as a Progression Coach in September 2022. In my role, I deliver coaching sessions to young people in various schools across Norwich, helping them decide what they want to do with their future after they leave school, and supporting them to get to where they want to get in life, and their dreams!

I am passionate about supporting young people and using my skills to help them achieve what they want and lead happy, fulfilling lives. I worked previously within secondary education, helping students who had lost motivation, supporting their engagement in school. Before this, I was a caseworker in the Youth Offending Team in East London, helping rehabilitate young offenders.

Outside of work I am a keen runner, a music lover and gig-goer, and I am learning acoustic guitar. I am interested in food and love to cook, I’m a fashion and clothes enthusiast and -  among a few others at Villiers Park - a cat lover, and have a pet cat called Lily.

Caroline Treacher

Progression Coach, Wiltshire

I joined Villiers Park in November 2023, and I am extremely excited to start as a progression coach at Villiers Park Swindon and Wiltshire.

I have previously worked in support and person-centered advocacy roles within the NHS, Social Services, and the education sector.

Back when I was a young person, I too had challenges that prevented me from progressing with education, and I left school early with no qualifications. Many years later I found my passion for learning again and as a mature student have recently been through the whole process of GCSEs, A-Levels, and now hold a degree in Psychology. Therefore, I wholeheartedly understand the need and impact Villiers Park will have on these young people's futures and the importance of the job.

Additionally, I am a trained holistic therapist including trauma-informed mindfulness and guided meditation facilitator. I love writing poetry, reading, walking, watching wildlife, and yoga.

Ben Hutchins

Progression Coach, Tyneside

I'm Ben Hutchins - Villiers Park Progression Coach for the Tyneside area. 

I have spent the last four years completing a Politics BA (Hons) and Philosophy MLitt at Newcastle University. My academic experiences have inspired the same socially conscious values that are at the core of Villiers Park's mission ?" Fairness, Aspiration, Empowerment and Courage. I look to take the lessons I learnt during my postgraduate research into the social psychoanalysis of self-help practices into my new role on Tyneside. My aim is to awaken Newcastle's next generation as to the breadth of their possibilities, and inspire our young adults to fulfil their worldly potentials. 

Aside from my work at Villiers Park, I still pursue my academic interests (although now just as a hobby). I'm also what I might (politely) call a 'food enthusiast' ?" (certainly more of a 'professional eater' than a 'chef'). I'm hoping to further explore Newcastle, and seek out all of the (more civilised) places I didn’t go as a student. 

Emma Cross

Progression Coach, Hastings & Bexhill

I joined Villiers Park in September 2024 as a Progression Coach for the Hastings and Bexhill team. Prior to joining the team, for 7 years I have worked as a teacher in schools across East Sussex; have worked in a language school teaching English as a foreign language to students from across Europe and China and spent some time in Hong Kong working in a local primary school. 

My educational background is rooted in teacher training and more recently an MA in International Education and Development, where I gained experience in creating programmes and policy for developing countries within NGOs and charities, and researched international educational issues. Through this I have volunteered with a local charity, the Hastings and Sierra Leone Friendship Link (HSLFL), and travelled to Sierra Leone to help collaborate with local teachers and share best practices. 

Outside of work I love travelling to different parts of the globe, taking long walks with our family dogs Kevin and Bentley, reading or listening to audiobooks and going to gigs and shows. 

Katie Byford

Fundraising and Communications Assistant

I joined Villiers Park in November 2023 as a Fundraising and Communications Assistant. Coming from a background in education and childcare, I am keen to work alongside the team to bring fundamental experiences to young people. I am passionate about supporting people to achieve the best they can, whether that be within my work team or guiding those who are benefiting from the work we do.

Prior to working at Villiers Park, I studied Early Childhood Studies at the University of Suffolk, which led to further training in primary schools and then working in a nursery, where I worked with children from 0-5 years. Within this workplace, I completed an additional Level 5 qualification for Early Years Senior Practitioner.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing darts in my local leagues and socialising with my friends and family. I also particularly like to spend time with my family’s pets: Daisy the dog, as well as Luna, Cloud and Millie the cats.

Find me on social media:

Josie Crisp

Progression Coach Cambridgeshire

My name is Josie, I joined the Villiers Park team in September 2024 as a Progression Coach for Cambridgeshire.

Prior to Villiers Park I interned as a Medical Communicator, where I would take complex scientific literature and produce accessible education materials for a variety of audiences.  I have a BSc in Human Biology and an MSc in Molecular Cell Biology;  I love education and listen to STEM podcasts whenever I can!

I attended Villiers Park on a Biology residential in 2018, where I gained invaluable insights into university life, increased my scientific knowledge, and most importantly left with a sense of achievement and empowerment. Villiers Park inspired me to pursue my dream of studying Biology. As an alum, I now want to give back to young people from under-represented backgrounds, help them realise their potential and achieve their goals.

Outside of work, I enjoy attending comedy gigs, doing paint-by-numbers, and going on walks with my partner and our black labrador Dougie.

Clara Smith 

Progression Coach Hastings and Bexhill

I joined Villiers Park in November 2024 as a Progression Coach for Hastings and Bexhill. As an alum of the programme myself, I am very excited to contribute to an organisation which helped me so much as a young person. 

Previously I studied Criminology at the University of Bristol, focusing on gendered violence and youth justice, and I spent the summer volunteering in Poland and Italy as an English as a Foreign Language tutor for young learners. 

Outside of work, I am a keen reader, animal enthusiast and foodie. I love to cook and run a (very small) food blog.