Our trustees
As a registered charity, Get Connected is run by a board of Trustees who determine the strategic direction of the organisation.
David Smith, Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee
Elected November 2010
David is a certified accountant. He spent most of his career with The Burton Group (now Arcadia Group and Debenhams plc) where he held a number of roles in finance, marketing, property and logistics. Since 2000, he has been involved with start-up businesses in healthcare, online retailing and training & consultancy and spent some time working for a charity. Currently, David works part-time for First Friday Ltd, a training company he helped to form in 2002.
Julie Bentley
Individual member, elected September 2006
Julie joined fpa as Chief Executive in January 2008, having spent the last four years as CEO of the personal safety charity, Suzy Lamplugh Trust. Julie has over 15 years experience in the public and voluntary sector working to improve the lives of people affected by drugs, abuse and homelessness.
Julie's previous experience has included leading the merger of a London-based therapeutic community with ARP (Alcohol Recover Project), a charity working with people affected by problematic substance use.
Julie is a youth worker, a qualified counsellor and holds a Masters in Business.
"I spent many years as a youth worker and met many young people dealing with tough situations and difficult feelings. I joined the Get Connected board because it is a fantastic support service to the most vulnerable young people" - Julie, May 2009
John Craven, Deputy Chair
Individual member, elected September 2005
John first volunteered for Get Connected in 2002, spending two years working on the Helpline before getting involved in fundraising activities, and then as a trustee and, most recently, Deputy Chair. Previously Chair of the Finance Sub Committee, John brings extensive private sector knowledge of finance, business and marketing to the charity.
John is a Director in Global Markets at Societe Generale, an Investment Bank. Previously at Merrill Lynch, he was twice responsible for them choosing Get Connected as their Charity of the Year. He graduated with an MA in Economics from Cambridge University. There, John was also in charge of the student campaign to increase applications from state school students, organising 1000 school visits and a Shadowing Scheme.
"Having seen first hand as a helpline worker the help that Get Connected provides to young people, I wanted to use my business skills to help the charity grow efficiently, extending their service to more users." - John February 2011
Isla Haigh
Individual member, elected September 2007
Isla is the National Participation Manager for Depaul UK, a large charity for homeless people. Her role involves working with homeless young people to help them have a say in their services and encourage their involvement at all levels throughout the charity.
Previously, Isla was the European Programmes Manager and a Trust and Corporate Fundraiser for Depaul UK and has volunteered in Latin America.
"I volunteer as a trustee of Get Connected as I am interested in helping young people to get access to the help that they need. I hope that by being a trustee I can assist the governance of Get Connected to be the best that it can be." - Isla, May 2009
John Schless
Individual member, co-opted November 2007 and elected September 2008
John joined the National Autistic Society fundraising department as Relationship Officer in November 2008. Prior to this, he worked for two and a half years as a consultant in the Not For Profit practice at Rockpools executive search and selection, giving him a sound understanding of charity governance and the issues facing the sector.
After graduating with a degree in music in 2005, John was elected for a one year post as a trustee at Leeds University Student Union (LUU) in the role of Societies Officer. LUU represents 32,000 students with a budget of £9m. John secured £0.5m funding from the University of Leeds for the refurbishment of the Islamic prayer room and led a strategic review of Student Activities, increasing members' opportunity to get involved in Sport and Recreational activities.
"I was so impressed by the work that Get Connected did that I wanted to get involved. Becoming a trustee has enabled me to do this as well as developing my strategic and financial skills." - John, May 2009
Lara O'Shea
Individual member, elected September 2007
Lara is responsible for marketing bespoke suit conmpany, A Suit That fits and is studying for an MBA at London Business school. Her experience includes strategy development, planning, and budget management, having led large projects and teams involving up to 100 people.
Lara also taught in a secondary school for two years, and has volunteered with charities such as Crisis and Amnesty International for fifteen years.
"I am a trustee because I firmly believe in the Get Connected cause and want to use my business experiences to help develop Get Connected strategy and marketing activities." - Lara, February 2011
Lucy Clarke
Individual member, elected September 2007
As a specialist charities lawyer, Lucy has advised national and international charities on issues such as compliance with charity and company law, other legal requirements and regulation by the Charity Commission. Lucy also works with trustees on governance and on implementing strategies to achieve their objectives efficiently and effectively.
Prior to Get Connected, Lucy was a trustee of a charity that offers arts-based training to young and disadvantaged people in South London, and volunteered for several charities working with deprived and abused children both in this country and abroad.
"For me, being a trustee of Get Connected is very much a two-way process. Personally, I am throroughly committed to Get Connected's invaluable work with young people and I also get a lot of satisfaction - and enjoyment - from being a trustee. At the same time, I hope that Get Connected benefits from my professional expertise as a charity lawyer and the knowledge and insight that I bring to the Board." - Lucy, March 2011
Gareth Williams
Individual member, elected December 2009
Gareth’s background in blue-chip and start-up technology companies allows him to contribute leadership, strategic planning, marketing and technical expertise to Get Connected. Gareth also has six year’s volunteer experience in other helpline organisations.
“Offering confidential help and emotional support to those that need it the most is hugely important. Having the opportunity to help steer Get Connected’s growth is a huge privilege.” – Gareth, February 2010.
Andrew Harrison
Organisational member (The Carphone Warehouse), co-opted in February 2003, then elected in September 2005
Andrew is Chief Executive Officer of Best Buy Europe. He was previously CEO of The Carphone Warehouse, who have supported Get Connected in an award-winning corporate partnership since 2001.
Melanie Kopik
Helpline Volunteer member, first elected September 2005
Melanie is our second longest serving volunteer, having six years of experience as a shift leader and Helpline worker, as well as regularly assisting with training and the selection of new volunteer Helpline Workers.
As the P.A. to the head of a major film company, Melanie's ‘day job' includes an overview of general management & strategic planning, with personal expertise in managing conferences from conception to completion - skills that have been called upon several times at Get Connected.
"I am a trustee because I've been a Helpline Worker at Get Connected for six years and feel passionately about both the organisation and the service we provide. I saw becoming a trustee as a route to achieving two objectives. Firstly, feeding back the practical experiences of the Helpline volunteers into the management structure, and secondly continuing to enhance our service and evolving our approach to meet the ever-changing needs of our callers." - Mel, May 2009