Meet the team

Janet Thorne, Chief Executive Officer

“I’m responsible for leading Reach, developing our strategy and ensuring that we have enough resources to deliver our mission. I work with a fantastic trustee board, and a small team of staff and volunteers, to ensure we achieve our purpose: connecting charities and groups with people who want to volunteer their expertise. I also love food, trees, fungi, and people - especially my awesome daughters - and I am a proud trustee of The Movements Trust.”

Holly Meacham, Head of Service

“I wear a lot of hats, but roughly my work is split in two - leadership of our core service, and operations, which covers everything from HR to data management. I also run ongoing service design and user research, making sure we've got the things we need in place to deliver well and at scale. Outside work, I am mum to a wonderful little boy, and love singing, gardening and making things. I'm also a trustee for Step Together Volunteering.”

Kath Pezet, Head of Marketing and Communications

“It's my role to spread the word about Reach Volunteering - by running campaigns designed to engage and inspire people, and sharing stories of volunteers and social purpose organisations doing great things together. When not at my desk, I love nothing more than a walk along the beach to clear my mind and help motivate me. I'm also a big football fan.”

Kit Richardson, Head of Digital

"As Head of Digital, I look after the maintenance and future development of our digital platform. I work with the wider team on service design and research - turning our findings into improvements and new features, and managing technical delivery. I love being part of the little Reach family, and am especially grateful to my colleagues for enduring my rants on my special interests (psychology and the social sciences.)”

Amanjyot Bhangal, Service Development Manager

“I ensure that opportunities, volunteers and organisations are reviewed in line with our timescales, and that our users get the support they need in a timely manner. I also play an active role in Reach’s service design work. Working for Reach really connects me to my values; I care about human rights around the world, and believe in demonstrating the right to protest peacefully. Also love walking (come rain or shine).”

Miranda Murdoch-Hughes, Service Coordinator

“As part of the Service team, I review organisations and opportunities that are submitted to us, manage emails and voicemails, work on different projects, and take on other ad hoc bits and pieces. I also look after our social media accounts and create content for them, alongside Kath. I’m a big animal and nature lover, and also an avid gamer - anything from old Playstation games to new releases.”

Rachel Ord, Head of TrusteeWorks

“I head up TrusteeWorks, helping charities to recruit trustees and diversify their boards. We also offer a Board Placement Service to companies who want to encourage their staff to consider trusteeship - and the income that we generate helps support Reach's work. Living in the Suffolk countryside, I love exploring and swimming in the sea. I'm also an enthusiastic (but not particularly proficient) tennis player.”

Sarah Sibbald, TrusteeWorks Consultant

“As a TrusteeWorks consultant, I work closely with charities on everything trustee recruitment - from defining charities’ needs and developing role descriptions, through to the overall management of recruitment campaigns. Like Miranda, I’m passionate about animal welfare (and sausage dogs!). Working for Reach also helps me connect to my belief in an equitable society, where no one is left out or left behind.”

Eleanor Urben, TrusteeWorks Consultant

“I probably one of Reach’s longest serving staff members, having joined as a Service Coordinator in 2017. Now, I work alongside Sarah and Monica to head up TrusteeWorks’ relationships with charities, to help them find the candidates they’re looking for. When I’m not at my desk, I enjoy all things active - climbing, running, going to the gym and hiking.”

Monica Van Niekerk, TrusteeWorks Consultant

“As the newest member of the TrusteeWorks team, I bring a fresh perspective and help ensure our processes run smoothly. I’m involved in all aspects of the recruitment cycle alongside a fantastic team, helping charities connect with trustees who can make a real difference. Outside of work, I love travelling, discovering new places and exploring different cultures.”