National Literacy Trust staff
Find out who we are and what we do by clicking on the images below.
Directors
Abigail Moss
Deputy Director
I work across all aspects of the National Literacy Trust, and have overview of a number of programmes across the UK that tackle social justice issues and increase social mobility through literacy. These include our partnership with the Premier League, community and business volunteering programmes, a comprehensive support offer to primary and secondary schools and newly formed literacy action hubs in areas of disadvantage.
abigail.moss@literacytrust.org.uk
Biography
Abigail was appointed Deputy Director of the National Literacy Trust in March 2010. Before that, she led a local government improvement programme at Museums, Libraries and Archives London and, from 1999 to 2009, was at Arts Council England, London, latterly as Director of Children and Young People’s Strategy. She has also worked as a secondary school English teacher, performer and local authority change manager.
Jacky Taylor
Company Secretary
My role is to offer a good support service to the teams who are delivering our aims and objectives. I am responsible for a number of core functions including office management, health and safety, IT support, HR and charity governance.
020 7820 6257
jacky.taylor@literacytrust.org.uk
Jonathan Douglas
Director of the National Literacy Trust
As Director, I am responsible for the strategic direction, financial management and day-to-day running of the charity, ensuring that everything we do contributes to our charitable purpose of transforming lives through improved literacy.
jonathan.douglas@literacytrust.org.uk
Biography
Jonathan was appointed Director of the National Literacy Trust in January 2007. Previously he was Head of Policy Development at the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, where he also worked as Head of Learning and Access. Prior to that, he was Professional Adviser for Youth and School Libraries at the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals. He has also worked as a librarian and in children’s services for Westminster Libraries. Jonathan is on the Advisory Committee of the Man Booker Prize and is Chair of Governors at his local primary school.
Communications
Fiona Lewis
Head of Communications
I campaign for literacy, championing its vital importance to all our lives. I raise awareness of our work and convictions, disseminating the findings of our research and insights, to inform literacy policy and practice. To carry our messages, I produce printed materials and online content, develop relationships with key media, and work with corporate supporters and other partners.
020 7820 6253
fiona.lewis@literacytrust.org.uk
Jane Woodley
Media and Public Affairs Officer
I secure national, regional and sector media coverage to reach a range of stakeholders. I also coordinate our public affairs activity, organising a range of events to engage parliamentarians and policy makers.
020 7820 6256
jane.woodley@literacytrust.org.uk
Communities and Local Areas
Andy Parkinson
Communities and Local Areas Lead
I work with local authorities to develop a strategic approach to literacy that will impact on those who can benefit the most.
Development
Alison Miller
KPMG Charity of the Year Partnership Manager
I lead Action for Literacy, a partnership between the National Literacy Trust and Dyslexia Action, which brings together our expertise for the first time at a moment when low literacy makes people more vulnerable than ever before. We are delighted to be working with KPMG as part of a two-year partnership to improve literacy in the UK. Together, we will raise awareness of the importance of enjoying reading, help families to improve literacy skills of their children and provide specialist support for children and young people with dyslexia. www.actionforliteracy.org.uk
0845 054 6595 / 020 7820 6266
alison.miller@actionforliteracy.org.uk
Anna Jones
Development Manager
I manage the development and delivery of our resources, training and conferences, working with colleagues, schools, companies and other literacy professionals to ensure that we deliver the best possible service. I also oversee our fundraising from individual members of the public, by running events and working with our supporters.
020 7820 6254
anna.jones@literacytrust.org.uk
Conal Presho
Head of Development
My role is to ensure we have funding for our work to transform lives through literacy. I support the development team in their roles to engage businesses, trusts, foundations and individual supporters, and to generate income from our resources, training and events.
020 7820 6250
conal.presho@literacytrust.org.uk
Diana Stewart
Supporter Relations Manager
I manage our relationships with our Patron, ambassadors and key individuals who have a particular interest in literacy. I am also responsible for managing our launch events and, in 2013, will be putting together the events programme for our 20th anniversary year.
020 7820 6251
diana.stewart@literacytrust.org.uk
Lorna Taylor
Corporate Partnerships Manager
I work with our corporate partners on all aspects of their involvement, including corporate donations, volunteering, staff fundraising and brand partnerships.
020 7820 6252
lorna.taylor@literacytrust.org.uk
Penne Wallis
Trusts and Foundations Officer
I am responsible for generating income from trusts and foundations to support our work. I work with teams internally to develop projects, identify potential funders and secure support, and report on the impact we have made on our target audiences.
020 7820 6251
penne.wallis@literacytrust.org.uk
Ronan Cahill
Events Administrator
I help the NLT to transform lives by coordinating events developed to share knowledge, research, policy, analysis and news with literacy professionals, empowering and encouraging them to make a difference in their jobs.
020 7820 6258
ronan.cahill@literacytrust.org.uk
Finance
James Kamau
Finance Officer
020 7840 9559
james.kamau@literacytrust.org.uk
My role supports NLT in fulfilling its financial obligations. I assist the head of finance in the production of timely and accurate financial information.
Information
Paul Jackson
Database Manager
I ensure that the information available to all of our staff is as accurate, up to date and useful as possible. I provide data analysis and reporting to help our teams effectively measure their progress against project objectives and to inform future delivery.
020 7840 9557
paul.jackson@literacytrust.org.uk
Sam Brookes
Head of Information and Website Manager
I am responsible for our internal information systems, and ensuring that information is shared effectively across all teams in order to meet their objectives. I also manage the National Literacy Trust's website, ensuring that all our professional audiences - practitioners, policy makers and researchers - can access information, analysis and resources to support their own work and transform lives through literacy. I also work closely with project teams to ensure that the website supports the effective delivery of our work on the ground.
020 7840 9552
sam.brookes@literacytrust.org.uk
Literacy Champions
Jennifer Cole
Project Manager
I am responsible for managing Literacy Champions projects, including training and resources to support local coordinators. Literacy Champions aims to empower volunteers from communities to work with families to encourage parental engagement and inspire a love of reading.
020 7820 6274
jennifer.cole@literacytrust.org.uk
Networks
Francine McMahon
Network Adviser (secondary)
In this role, I am privileged in being able to research theory while developing and capturing outstanding literacy practice in English and across all subjects in secondary schools.
It is my belief that if we as a teaching profession talk about and share strategies that help pupils speak, read, write and think, then we not only inspire our profession, but will give our younger generation the best possible chance in life. Formerly, I was an Assistant Head Teacher in a secondary school in Tower Hamlets and a Secondary National Strategy Literacy consultant. I also now work as a Senior Lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University for Teach First.
Judy Clark
Network Adviser (primary)
As a teacher, leader and literacy specialist consultant, I seek out excellence in theory and practice to help inform, inspire and support professionals in transforming the lives of primary school pupils.
Julie Gibbings
Schools Manager
I develop and manage our membership network for school and literacy professionals. With the team, I research outstanding and innovative literacy practice and support network members to discover and try these new approaches in the classroom, library and across the whole school. I also manage Transforming Writing, an action research project which is trialling how to effectively embed formative assessment into the teaching of writing.
I was previously a secondary school teacher, and have worked on a wide range of projects for schools and alternative education. For me, literacy is absolutely vital to enable people to participate fully in society.
020 7820 6267
julie.gibbings@literacytrust.org.uk
Susie Musgrove
Schools Officer
I work with Schools Manager Julie Gibbings to run the National Literacy Trust Network, a professional network for primary and secondary schools and those who work with them. I support network members to ensure they get the most out of their membership, providing the first point of contact for any queries about network benefits.
I also run our national literacy competitions and challenges such as the Big Diamond Jubilee Read, which aim to inspire children and young people to get involved in activities to improve their literacy.
020 7820 6268
susie.musgrove@literacytrust.org.uk
Oxfordshire Reading Campaign
Bianca Bailey
Volunteer Manager
I manage the volunteering strand of the Oxfordshire Reading Campaign, supporting targeted schools across the county. I develop and design programme content, training and information for volunteers, so that children in Key Stage 1 can be supported to enjoy reading and develop their confidence.
020 7820 6265
bianca.bailey@literacytrust.org.uk
Sam Pope
Coordinator
Based in Oxford, I coordinate the Oxfordshire Reading Campaign and am the first point of contact for participating schools. I manage communication with the county’s schools and help to organise training and other events. I also liaise with volunteers and the media, and am hoping to volunteer as part of the programme myself.
Wendy Tyrrell
Acting Programme Manager
The Oxfordshire Reading Campaign is a two-year programme delivered by the National Literacy Trust on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council. It aims to substantially improve both standards of reading and the overall reading experience for children in the early years of primary school.
The programme includes a reading intervention and a volunteering programme in targeted schools, and a public-facing campaign to engage the local community. My role is to pull these strands together and ensure we provide a single cohesive package for schools to maximise their success.
020 7820 6260
wendy.tyrrell@literacytrust.org.uk
Premier League Reading Stars
Jim Sells
Manager, Premier League Reading Stars
Families from our target audiences often feel that educational activities are not for them; yet sport, and in particular, football, has the power to inspire. Working directly with all 20 Premier League clubs, we gain the "permission" needed to take part in educational activities: our project is perceived as a football activity, which enables us to reach those who need it most.
020 7820 6263
jim.sells@literacytrust.org.uk
Research
Dr Christina Clark
Head of Research
Through my work I provide children, young people, their parents and literacy practitioners with a platform to voice their opinions on a variety of literacy subjects. I work closely with project staff and our communications and policy teams, translating our research findings into cutting-edge practice. Working alongside project staff, I explore the impact of our work.
Talk To Your Baby
Cathy Hamer
Manager, Policy and Communities
Cathy has worked with the Talk To Your Baby campaign since 2007, developing strategic guidance, leading the Face to Face research project and coordinating a network across the Midlands. As Manager she promotes early communication and language, underpinning literacy across the Foundation Years. Cathy is an early years teacher, registered health and educational psychologist who has worked across Sure Start local programmes and Children’s Centres for a range of organisations.
Words for Life
Clare Bolton
Campaign Manager
I manage Words for Life, a campaign that gets parents involved with their children’s communication and literacy development through PR, marketing, social media and brand partnerships: www.wordsforlife.org.uk
020 7820 6262
clare.bolton@literacytrust.org.uk
Tom Mattock
Website Manager
I design and develop the Words for Life website. The site aims to inspire more people to read more regularly, for both pleasure and personal advancement, and is focused on making reading accessible and attractive to everyone, however diverse their taste or ability.
020 7820 6255
tom.mattock@literacytrust.org.uk
Words for Work
Lucy Kerrigan
Project Manager
One of our strategic aims is to increase awareness of speaking and listening as key to overall literacy development. I support the Programme Manager by coordinating and planning activity that enables young people to explore communication and employability, working with volunteers from the business community. Through a series of workshops, young people are encouraged and challenged to develop their communication skills, confidence and aspirations.
020 7840 9556
lucy.kerrigan@literacytrust.org.uk
Sally Melvin
Programme Manager
One of our strategic aims is to increase awareness of speaking and listening as key to overall literacy development. By targeting young people with low self-confidence, our programme uses creative consultation to unlock speaking and listening skills. I develop partnerships between schools and local businesses to develop communication skills for the workplace.
Young Readers Programme
Irene Picton
Project Manager
I visit new Young Readers Programme project coordinators in schools, libraries and other community organisations to train them in how to run our programmes. I pass on practical tips and ideas for books and events to help inspire the children and families they work with to enjoy reading. My job role includes researching and developing our programmes, and I occasionally attend events and read stories in silly voices.
020 7820 6270
irene.picton@literacytrust.org.uk
Jason Vit
Programme Manager
I manage the Young Readers Programme by supporting the team to deliver our targeted, national programme, which promotes reading for pleasure. I am also involved in designing new projects, developing relationships with funders and partners and identifying opportunities to expand the reach of our work.
020 7820 6273
jason.vit@literacytrust.org.uk
