Leading Lights

In this powerful episode, Abi Mellor sits down with Eleanor Harrison, CEO of the Fairtrade Foundation, who shares her remarkable journey from a childhood shaped by justice and community activism to leading one of the UK's most trusted ethical brands. Eleanor reveals how early experiences of her mother's fearless advocacy instilled values that would guide her through diverse roles across the sector from international development, to social impact - ultimately landing her "dream job" at 45.Eleanor shares how early volunteering shaped her worldview and skillset and that taking a variety of roles allowed her to build a leadership ‘toolbox’ over time. She reflects on why finding a role where you can truly thrive is as much about the organisation being right for you, as you being right for it.Abi and her guest explore a formative experience that may have sparked Eleanor’s deep belief in the importance of fairness and standing up for what’s right. She offers practical reflections on creating a culture where everyone can flourish.Eleanor makes a compelling case for why business-as-usual for the international food system simply isn’t good enough, and challenges all of us to think differently about fairness, sustainability, and the true cost of what we consume.She speaks about what keeps her glass not just half full, but brimming - even in the face of global inequality - and how leading with purpose isn’t just a choice but something that’s in her DNA.Brain food from this episode:The enduring power of cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead’s words. For example: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”The book recommended in this episode: How to Build a Feminist Son by Sonora Jha - on raising boys with empathy, equity, and emotional intelligence.Something to chew on: Less than 5% of the 2 or 3 pence you spend on a teabag reaches the farmer - and much of the world’s tea is sold below the cost of production.About the Fairtrade FoundationThe Fairtrade Foundation is part of a global Fairtrade system. It works to change the terms of trade through its certification, campaigns, policy work, and business partnerships. This includes working to secure fairer prices, safer working conditions, and more power in the hands of farmers and workers.Find out more about the charity:https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FairtradeFoundation/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairtradeuk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-fairtrade-foundationYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FairtradefoundationEnjoyed this conversation?Subscribe to Leading Lights to catch the next episode, and please consider rating and reviewing to help others find the podcast.Are you a Head of Brand, Marketing or Creative at a charity? Join the MOREVER Meetup – an informal space to share ideas and connect with other women doing creative work in the charity sector.Leading Lights is brought to you by MOREVER – an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers.www.morever.co.uk

From the shyest girl in school to a voice for seriously ill children: Louise Griew’s story is one of quiet resilience and unexpected turns.In this episode of Leading Lights, we meet Louise Griew, Chief Executive of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity - a role she never imagined for herself growing up in Pinner, North London. Once described as the shyest girl in her class, Louise now leads a national charity supporting the families of over 40,000 seriously ill children through a network of more than 200 specialist nurses.Her path to leadership has been anything but linear. Louise shares how her previous roles, including agency side working with clients such as Coca-Cola and McDonald’s, a formative stint as Fundraising and Marketing Director at the Mayor’s Fund for London during Boris Johnson’s tenure, and time leading an RAF charity have all shaped the leader she is today: values-driven, quietly confident, and rooted in the belief that “kindness is free.”This is a conversation about forging strength through experience, navigating personal challenges, and staying grounded when life doesn’t go to plan. Louise opens up about the setbacks that taught her the most, and what it really takes to lead with heart in a high-stakes world.About Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s CharityRoald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity provides specialist nurses and support for seriously ill children across the UK. There are currently over 200 Road Dahl Nurses caring for more than 40,000 seriously ill children, but there are many more children who do not receive this vital specialist care.  The dedication and expertise of our nurses reduces A&E visits, hospital admissions and consultant appointments. They’re also a vital lifeline to the whole family, coordinating care and providing access to emotional support.  That’s why we believe every seriously ill child deserves a Roald Dahl Nurse. Find out more about the charity:https://www.roalddahlcharity.org/Or on Facebook or Instagram:  @roalddahlcharityEnjoyed this conversation?Subscribe to Leading Lights to catch the next episode, and please consider rating and reviewing to help others find the podcast.Are you a Head of Brand, Marketing or Creative at a charity? Join the MOREVER Meetup – an informal space to share ideas and connect with other women doing creative work in the charity sector.Leading Lights is brought to you by MOREVER – an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers.www.morever.co.uk

From a challenging childhood to leadership of a ground breaking charity, Danielle Bridge has built her successful career out of being open to the range of opportunities that have come her way.In this episode of Leading Lights, MOREVER Managing Director, Abi Mellor talks with the Chief Executive of Black Minds Matter UK about her role as the leader of a charity helping the Black community to access the mental health resources they need for better mental health, or to recover from mental illness.This conversation covers a lot of ground.The mental illness challenges within Danielle’s own family that shaped her childhood.How being ‘unprescriptive’ has unlocked the opportunities that have led her into leadership.Her ‘driving force’ to do something with purpose.How she came to found ABC Life Support, a first aid training organisation.How the murder of George Floyd propelled her into her current role.Her thoughts on what she calls out as the ‘life epidemic’ impacting mental health. Her concerns around the impact on the Black community of the current political climate and the development of AI. About Black Minds Matter UKBlack Minds Matter UK is a registered charity connecting Black individuals and families with free 1:1 talking therapy delivered by qualified and accredited Black therapists.Its network of therapists work tirelessly to break down stigma and redefine therapeutic experiences for Black individuals.Its three pillars of impact are therapy, awareness raising through education, and advocating for systems change in statutory services.Black Minds Matter UK is working towards seeing a community of Black people readily accessing mental health support, recovering fully from mental illness, and thriving.To find out more about Danielle, and Black Minds Matter UK, visit:https://www.blackmindsmatteruk.com/Instagram: @daniellebridge_ceo@blackmindsmatter.uk@abc_life_supportLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellebridge/https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-minds-matter-uk/Enjoyed this conversation?Subscribe to Leading Lights to catch the next episode, and please consider rating and reviewing to help others find the podcast.Are you a Head of Brand, Marketing or Creative at a charity? Join the MOREVER Meetup – an informal space to share ideas and connect with other women doing creative work in the charity sector.Leading Lights is brought to you by MOREVER – an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers. www.morever.co.uk

Unfiltered conversations with women leading change in the charity and non-profit sector.Leading Lights shines a light on female leadership, amplifying the voices of the inspiring women making a difference through purpose-driven work.In each episode, we speak to non-profit CEOs about how they lead, what they’ve learned, and what keeps them going. Expect honest conversations, bold ideas and practical insights. It's the perfect listen for anyone passionate about the third sector, purpose-lead work or leadership.Brought to you by MOREVER – the creative agency for charities & changemakers

From grassroots campaigning in India to co-leading one of the world’s most influential organisations, Areeba Hamid’s journey is one of purpose, resilience and quiet power.As the first woman and first person of colour to lead Greenpeace UK, Areeba shares her deeply personal path into activism – seeded by the influence of a grandmother who showed her it is possible for women to ‘defy expectations’ by raising a child alone in post-Partition India, and her grandfather, a newspaper editor who was active in the Indian independence movement and filled her childhood with stories of resistance and political action.In conversation with Abi Mellor, Areeba reflects on: 🔹 How she fell in love with campaigning and activism, but it was the idea of going on the boat that really drew her in. 🔹 How she’s making co-leadership work at Greenpeace UK through a ‘high-trust, low ego’ model. 🔹 How Greenpeace took on (and beat) Shell in the courts 🔹 Why she believes only strong leadership can save us from a climate catastrophe 🔹 The weight of breaking the leadership mould, and her experiences of navigating identity, belonging, and leadership in the UK charity sectorAreeba’s story is both inspiring and urgent – a powerful reminder of what can happen when bold values meet fearless action.About Greenpeace UKGreenpeace UK is part of a global network campaigning for a greener, more peaceful planet. Through direct action, lobbying, research and innovative communication, it works to expose environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and just future.www.greenpeace.org.ukInstagram: @greenpeaceukBlueSky: greenpeace.bsky.socialTikTok: @greenpeaceukFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenpeaceukAreeba recommends 📖 Butter by Asako Yuzuki – Get it here 🖼 In the Mood for Love: Hockney in London 1960–1963 at Hazlitt Holland-Hibbert – More info 🎧 This American Life – Listen hereEnjoyed this conversation?Subscribe to Leading Lights to catch the next episode, and please consider rating and reviewing to help others find the podcast.Are you a Head of Brand, Marketing or Creative at a charity? Join the MOREVER Meetup – an informal space to share ideas and connect with other women doing creative work in the charity sector.Leading Lights is brought to you by MOREVER – an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers.www.morever.co.uk

From losing both parents as a teenager and growing up in poverty in Taiwan, to founding a charity driving systemic change across Asia - Pei Su’s journey is nothing short of remarkable.She’s a pioneer in animal welfare, a trailblazer in charity leadership AND a published author - her memoir is a must-read (here’s a link to get a copy).As CEO of ACTAsia, Pei is leading efforts to shift attitudes around animal welfare through education and advocacy. In the latest episode of Leading Lights, she joins Abi Mellor for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation.They discuss: 🔹 Why cultural attitudes to animals vary so widely🔹 Some of the shocking sites she’s seen (trigger warning) and how she’s put a stop to them🔹 Her journey from her hand-to-mouth childhood in Taiwan to leadership🔹 How she now sees her breast cancer diagnosis as a positive🔹 Why Pei believes re-education is the key to lasting changePei’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible with vision, resilience - and a refusal to give up.About ACTASIAACTAsia works to drive long term, sustainable change for animals, people and the environment through a range of education programmes for children, consumers and professionals. The award-winning programmes, recognised by the UN, drive positive and sustainable long-term change in Asian societies, helping people to understand and appreciate the importance of the interdependence of animals, people and the environment. Education helps to increase awareness and understanding of animal sentience and interconnectivity of all living things - something which can be lacking in parts of Asian society owing to a complex range of historical, political and socio-economic factors. To find out more visit www.actasia.orgOr on social platforms:X: @Tweet_ACTAsiaFB: ACTAsiaEducationInstagram: @actasiaIf you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe so you don’t miss the next one! We’d love you to rate, review Leading Lights - this helps others to find the podcast.And, if you’re a Head of Brand, Marketing or Creative within a charity, why not join us at the MOREVER Meetup to share ideas and insights with women in similar roles from other charities.MOREVER is an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers. To find out more about us and check out some of our work visit www.morever.co.uk

Our guest this month is Helen Rowbotham. Helen has been CEO of Access Sport, a national charity dedicated to making inclusion the norm in community sport, since January 2022. With over 25 years of sports industry and non-profit leadership experience, she has overseen significant growth across Access Sport’s programmes, reaching more than 20,000 disadvantaged and disabled children and young people in 2024.In this episode Helen describes how an inspiring secondary school PE teacher put her on the path to leadership and what it was like to move from a career in consultancy to the charity sector. She explains where she gets her boundless energy for every role, how she 'flicks the switch' to turn around a less than perfect day, and outlines the goals she has in mind for the many projects that have gone from strength to strength under her tenure.To find out more about Access Sport visit www.AccessSport.org.ukIf you enjoyed this conversation, come back and listen to our next episode! We release Leading Lights on the first Monday of every month. And, we’d love you to rate, review and subscribe to Leading Lights - this helps others to find the podcast.And, if you’re a Head of brand, marketing or creative within a charity, why not join us at the MOREVER Meetup to share ideas and insights with women in similar roles from other charities.MOREVER is an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers. To find out more about us and check out some of our work visit www.morever.co.uk

Our guest this month is Angela McConville. As Chief Executive of the NCT, the parents national charity for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, Angela has brought her ‘spirit for change’ to the organisation. After only 9 weeks in the role, the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic forced her to make changes to the fundamental operating strategy of the organisation overnight. In this episode Angela describes how her mother inspired her understanding of how communities can come together and how she plans to tackle the challenges that face the NCT in 2025. She also talks about her own path to leadership, how she has built a supportive network of working mums around her and her number one skill for making a success of the CEO role.To find out more about the NCT visit: www.nct.org.ukIf you enjoyed this conversation, come back and listen to our fascinating April guest! We release new episodes on the first Monday of every month. And, we’d love you to rate, review and subscribe to Leading Lights - this helps others to find the podcast.And, if you’re a Head of brand, marketing or creative within a charity why not join our own supportive network of senior marketers within charities at the MOREVER Meetup? Our quarterly meeting to share ideas and insights with women in similar roles from other charities.Find out more about MOREVER - www.morever.co.uk

Abi’s guest is Michelle Thew, long standing CEO of Cruelty Free International, one of the world’s most respected animal protection organisations. It works to create a world where nobody wants or believes we need to experiment on animals. In this episode Michelle shares her journey to leadership and her thoughts on what it’s like to be the leader of a campaigning organisation for social justice. She also discusses: How she was driven to this role by an overwhelming desire to work in the animal protection community. The reasons why the job isn’t at all what she expected it to be and How she spots leadership potential in others She also shares how she maintains her staying power and her secret sauce for managing stress in such an important, high profile role. About Cruelty Free International Cruelty Free International is one of the world’s longest standing and most respected animal protection organisations, it works to create a world where nobody wants or believes we need to experiment on animals. Cruelty Free International is widely accepted as the global authority on animal testing issues, combining award-winning campaigning, political lobbying, pioneering undercover investigations and scientific and legal expertise. Educating, challenging and inspiring others across the globe to respect and protect animals, it investigates and exposes the reality of life for animals in laboratories. It has saved millions of animals from a life of suffering. To find out more about Cruelty Free International you can find it at the following links:⁠ Instagram - @crueltyfreeintl / @michelle_crueltyfree Facebook - @CrueltyFreeInternational X - @CrueltyFreeIntl  TikTok - @crueltyfreeintl  Linkedin - @crueltyfreeinternational  Or visit: http://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/ If you enjoyed this conversation, come back and listen to our fascinating March guest! We release new episodes on the first Monday of every month. And, we’d love you to rate, review and subscribe to Leading Lights - this helps others to find the podcast. And, if you’re a Head of brand, marketing or creative within a charity, why not join us at the MOREVER Meetup to share ideas and insights with women in similar roles from other charities. Find out more about MOREVER - www.morever.co.uk

In Episode 4, Abi’s guest is Jayne Taylor, CEO of The Elephant group, a headteacher-led charity dedicated to improving fair access to top universities.  Through collaboration with school leaders, universities, and key partners, The Elephant Group supports academically able students from non-selective state schools, helping them achieve their aspirations through tailored programmes and sector-wide initiatives. In this episode, Jayne shares how the impact of her older brother having a serious illness when she was ten defined her childhood, and sparked a keen desire to help young people derailed by difficult circumstances to achieve their academic potential. She also shares her thoughts on:  The surprising similarities between becoming a parent and becoming a chief exec; Why she thinks teenagers are underrated; What she's learned about leadership from playing Roller Derby and obsessively reading about mountaineering. This is a fascinating listen for anyone interested in the charity sector, leadership, young people, academia, achieving a balance between family life and career goals, and much more.  About The Elephant Group The Elephant Group is a headteacher-led charity that is committed to creating fair student access to top universities by collaborating with schools, universities, and wider partner organisations. It identifies challenges faced by schools and works with key partners to create a lasting change. Via its core programmes, Elephant Access and the Meta Method, it works with over 3,500 students from low progression areas, delivering targeted activities designed to develop lifelong skills and support capable students into the universities and career paths that they deserve.  Its model of cross-sector collaboration allows it to draw on a wide network, gathering resources, information and connections to help upskill school staff and help students to develop the skills and knowledge that they need to make an informed choice based on their aspirations. To find out more about The Elephant Group follow it on X | LinkedIn or visit https://theelephantgroup.org/ If you enjoyed this conversation, come back and listen to our fascinating February guest! We release new episodes on the first Monday of every month. And, we’d love you to rate, review and subscribe to Leading Lights - this helps others to find the podcast. And, if you’re a Head of brand, marketing or creative within a charity, why not join us at the MOREVER Meetup to share ideas and insights with women in similar roles from other charities. Find out more about MOREVER - www.morever.co.uk

In Episode 3 of Leading Lights, Abi has the pleasure of meeting Dr Sarah Hughes, the inspirational CEO of Mind, the mental health charity. Sarah has worked in mental health and social justice for 35 years. She has held a number of chief executive roles in the voluntary sector including for the prestigious think tank The Centre for Mental Health. She holds a professional doctorate on the topic of women and leadership and was given an honorary doctorate by Hull University where she happily studied social work in the mid 90s.  Sarah's vision of becoming the CEO of Mind was established at the age of 18 when she ‘found her people’ during a gap year job at Mind Haringey. She was strongly influenced by her father’s leadership style and her mother’s resilience. She has a clear idea of what it means to be a feminist leader, which she applies to her role daily. During the conversation Sarah reveals what it takes to lead in really complex environments, which she learned in her role managing mental health services at HM Prison Holloway, along with her understanding of the importance of combining theory and practice. Sarah talks about what it’s like to challenge the perceptions of how a CEO ‘should’ look, speak and carry themselves and her thoughts on the 'strong headwinds' facing the charity sector. She shares how finding levity at difficult moments, her 'CEO squad', and spending time with her family are her coping strategies. About Mind Mind, the mental health charity, provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. The charity campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. They won't give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. To find out more about Mind: Follow Mind on X | Instagram | TikTok| Facebook | LinkedIn or visit mind.org.uk If you enjoyed this conversation, please come back! We release new episodes on the first Monday of every month. And, we’d love you to rate, review and subscribe to Leading Lights - this helps other people to find the podcast. And, if you’re a Head of brand, marketing or creative within a charity, why not join us at the MOREVER Meetup to share ideas and insights with women in similar roles from other charities. Find out more about MOREVER - www.morever.co.uk Follow us on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠| ⁠Instagram ⁠| ⁠Facebook

Episode 2 of Leading Lights features the newly appointed CEO of Ben, the charity dedicated to supporting the people of the automotive industry, providing support for life for them and their family dependents. At the time of recording Rachel was just about to step into her role at the helm of the charity. Rachel’s background as an international hockey player, combined with a career in the health and wellbeing industry, before becoming Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben have been pivotal in the development of her leadership style. She aims to provide the freedom for people to do their best work, while knowing you are there if they need you. In this conversation she shares what climbing Kilimanjaro taught her about doing your best and how she maintains her work life balance. She also talks about ‘prioritising joy’, what gets her out of bed in the morning, and what she learned from experiencing the ‘thorough’ process of securing her role as CEO.   During the episode Rachel recommended the TV series: Colin From Accounts which is available on BBC iPlayer About Ben Ben is the charity dedicated to supporting the people of the automotive industry, providing support for life for them and their family dependents. Ben supports individuals to navigate through life’s challenges, empowering them to make positive, lasting change. Ben works with people to improve their lives by enhancing their health and wellbeing through its free and confidential online self-help, helpline and support services. Ben provides life-changing support to those facing crisis as well as helping them prevent crisis. Its support empowers people to be more in control of managing their health and wellbeing to help them live well, think well, feel well and work well. Ben’s support is tailored and relevant to the needs of the individual, based on a wide range of support options and addressing every aspect of a person’s life. To find out more about Ben: Follow Ben on X | Instagram⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn or visit www.ben.org.uk If you enjoyed this conversation, please come back! We release new episodes on the first Monday of every month. And, we’d love you to rate, review and subscribe to Leading Lights - this helps other people to find the podcast. And, if you’re a Head of brand, marketing or creative within a charity, why not join us at the MOREVER Meetup to share ideas and insights with women in similar roles from other charities. Find out more about MOREVER - www.morever.co.uk Follow us on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Our first episode features the incredible Chief Executive of Together Co, April Baker. April has more than 10 years of senior leadership and board experience in the for purpose, not profit, sector.  She is passionate about finding innovative and empowering solutions to societal issues, particularly loneliness and social isolation, which affect millions of people in the UK and around the world.   In this episode April shares how her earliest memories of going out on her bicycle as a young child to make friends with her neighbours may have been the spark for the inspiring work that she does now at Together Co. She also shares how she’s committed to bringing ‘social health’ up the agenda in the UK, her biggest influences, how she relies on her ‘work persona’, how habit stacking works for her, what it’s really like to be in a leadership role in a charity, how her ‘why’ is what keeps her going, and how she protects her reading time and her resilience.  During this conversation, April recommended reading Start With Why by Simon Sinek. About Together Co Together Co is a loneliness charity that delivers services in Brighton and Hove through befriending, social prescribing and other volunteering programmes. It supports over 2,000 people a year. This is only made possible by more than 450 volunteers. It also campaigns nationally and internationally to raise the awareness and impact of loneliness on our health and communities, and the importance of social health. To find out more about Together Co: Follow Together Co on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook or visit https://togetherco.org.uk/ If you enjoyed this conversation, please come back! We release new episodes on the first Monday of every month. And, we’d love you to rate, review and subscribe to Leading Lights - this helps other people to find the podcast. And, if you’re a Head of brand, Marketing or Creative within a charity, why not join us at the MOREVER Meetup to share ideas and insights with women in similar roles from other charities. Find out more about MOREVER - www.morever.co.uk Follow us on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠| ⁠Instagram ⁠| ⁠Facebook

If you’ve ever wondered what the path to leadership of a charity is really like for the women who’ve made it there, our new podcast - Leading Lights - is for you. Leading Lights is a podcast for women in marketing in the charity sector. Hosted by Abi Mellor from MOREVER, a creative agency for charities and changemakers. Each episode will feature a female chief executive from the charity sector. Abi and her guests discuss the challenges of leadership as a woman. Together, they unpack the path to success, the challenges guests have met and overcome, and how, in such a busy role, they manage life. All with the aim of helping other women walking the same path learn what they can do to put themselves in the frame for leadership too.