Introducing the #WomenBehind18Keys

18 Keys wouldn’t be where it is without the work put in by many incredibly passionate women to manage, support and raise awareness of the project and campaign. 

From the 18 Keys campaign committee, to teams at St Martin’s-in-the-Field Trust and The Connection at St Martin’s, as well as our external partners, these women are working together to support vulnerable women and bring the project to life.

They are the #WomenBehind18Keys.

The 18 Keys campaign committee

18 women sit on the 18 Keys campaign committee. They include highly respected and influential women from across British society, including Chair Dame Diana Brittan, women with CBEs, OBEs, and many high profile, experienced women from a variety of industries and backgrounds.

Our committee members work to raise awareness of 18 Keys and to support us with various fundraising activities.

Select each person to read more about them and their involvement with 18 Keys.

Dame Diana Britten

Dame Diana is the chair of the 18 Keys campaign committee. She is ex chair of the following: The Connection at St Martin’s, London and South Regional Committee of the British Lung Foundation, Independent Age, Community Fund (National Lotteries Charities Board).

Kim Evans OBE is a Bafta-winning documentary maker, and former Head of Music & Arts at the BBC, and former Executive Director of the Arts Council England.

Read her profile.

Carole is a British author and freelance radio and television broadcaster. She was made a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2015 and runs The Carole Stone Foundation to bring people together to make for a fairer global society.

Read Carole’s profile.

Octavia is an Operations and Compliance Director for social housing provider Dolphin Living in London.  She has worked in social housing for 17 years and is a trustee of The Connection at St Martin’s, as well as a member of the 18 Keys campaign committee.

Read Octavia’s profile.

Melanie Leach is the CEO of South Shore – an independent TV production company known for creating shows such as Inside M&S at Christmas, The Hairy Bikers Go Local and The Greatest Snowman.

Read Mel’s profile.

Amanda is a film producer, a property developer and a full time voluntary supporter of student refugees.

Read Amanda’s profile

Pen Cherry is a purveyor of the milk of human kindness and is a volunteer at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Read Pen’s profile.

Sophie is a reflexologist and a parishioner at St Martin’s -in-the-Field. She is a co-ordinator for the Sunday International Group which supports rough sleeping refugees.  

Jules is CEO and co-founder at Sheridan and Co, a global design agency for the luxury retail market.

Sally is ex-CEO of Visit Britain/Visit England. Having spent her 35 year career in the travel industry Sally now has a non-exec position at Dukes Education, a family of nurseries, schools and colleges. She has fundraising experience with a number of charities.and was a trustee at the Museum of London.

Rachel works in public service, partnerships, community and communications.  She was previously chair of PAPA, Brixton Area Forum, a cabinet member at Lambeth Council, and has served on the following boards:  South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, South Bank Cultural Quarter, The Young Vic Theatre, LEAP, Lambeth Women’s Project, HM Brixton Prison Resettlement Board, Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership and others. 

AJ is a TV presenter, model, blogger and influencer. She starred in Strictly Come Dancing in 2021.

Vicky is Chief Economic Advisor and board member for the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). She was the senior managing director at FTI Consulting, Director General for Economics at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Joint Head of the UK Government Economic Service. Sits on advisory board of the banking think tank OMFIF and the Economics Advisory Group of the British Chamber of Commerce.

Tracey Woodward

Tracey is a highly respected, experienced CEO and consultant who has worked in the beauty industry for 35 years for brands including Aveda and M&S. 

She is also a board advisor, a business coach and mentor, and a member of the 18 Keys campaign committee.

Read Tracey’s profile

Julia is a business development strategist and consultant, business coach, ex-corporate development director in a law firm, and a property developer. She has fundraising experience for SEN children, adolescents and adults, also environmental projects and those involving support for young musicians.

Freya Newbery is a Crown Court Judge, Vice-Chair of the Bar Council Equality and Diversity Committee, and works for Lambeth Youth Offending Service and leads ethics training for Middle Temple Advocacy.

Nicci is a novelist, journalist, and political campaigner for the rights of people with dementia – The John’s Campaign.

The 18 Keys project team

The 18 Keys project team is formed of people from St Martin-in-The-Fields Trust, The Connection at St Martin’s, and external partners including Dow Jones Architects. The team includes the following people:

  • Pam Orchard – CEO, The Connection at St Martin’s
  • Sarah Maklouf – Director of Services at The Connection at St Martin’s 
  • Lucy Littlewood – Director of St Martin-in-the-Field’s Trust
  • Caroline Muir – Major Gifts Fundraiser, St Martin-in-the-Field’s Trust
  • Biba Dow – Founder of Dow Jones Architects
 
There are many other women and men in supporting roles who are working together to bring this much-needed project to life.

Make a donation to 18 Keys

The 18 Keys project will come to life in a redeveloped property owned and managed by The Connection at St Martin’s. 

Our goal is to raise £2.3m. Your support will help pay for the redevelopment, which will include one-to-one therapy rooms, studio apartments, emergency bed spaces and a new communal area.

You can make a one-off donation, or set up a regular donation. Donate here.

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