Our Staff
Peter Okali
Peter joined THCVS in March 2019
Area of expertise
Governance, Finance, Fundraising, Partnerships, Strategy and Managing Change
Work Background
Have always worked in the charity sector as a volunteer, frontline employee, senior manager and Trustee
Mostly worked in homelessness, older people, advice and infrastructure support charities
In 2012, gained a Masters in Management Consultancy and Organisational Change from Birkbeck University
Favourite thing to do in Tower Hamlets:
Discovering new places to eat and socialise outside with friends – especially during the summer!
Favourite place in Tower Hamlets:
Bethnal Green. I lived here for a short while over 30 years ago. Its amazing to see how its developed (but also stayed the same) since then.
Alison Robert
Alison joined THCVS in July 2017
Area of expertise
Partnerships, fundraising and strategy, coproduction
Work Background
Have always worked in the charity sector as a frontline employee and senior manager
Worked in the charitable sector in sexual health and wellbeing, developing education programmes in schools, colleges and through outreach.
In the local authority developing teenage pregnancy strategy building collaborations, commissioning youth and sexual health services.
In the NHS as a counsellor in GP practices across Lambeth
Favourite place in Tower Hamlets:
Lahore Kebab House
Favourite thing to do in Tower Hamlets:
Walking around Victoria Park and exploring new places
Peter Vittles
Peter joined THCVS in January 2018
Area of Expertise:
Funding, partnership working, training and work with small groups.
Work background:
I’ve worked in the voluntary sector for 20 years in varied roles from housing, homelessness, and equalities. I have experience working with a wide range of partners on community safety, community engagement and equalities. I started working in the voluntary sector in 1996 as a volunteer with Crisis.
Favourite place in Tower Hamlets:
Victoria Park and Brick Lane are my favourite parts of Tower Hamlets.
Jane Bell
Jane joined THCVS in August 2018
Area of Expertise:
Funding, project planning and project management, governance and policies for charitable groups.
Work Background:
I’ve worked in the voluntary sector for 35 years in varied roles developing and managing some award winning projects. I have another role at a children’s creative education not for profit organisation in a Community Partnerships and Development role and I have done fundraising and development consultancy in the arts, cultural and education sectors since 2014.
Favourite place in Tower Hamlets:
The V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green, where I volunteered occasionally on a children & families project.
Jonathan Garcia
Jonathan joined THCVS in April 2019
Area of Expertise:
Digital Development and communications, marketing and governance.
Work Background:
Jonathan started volunteering in 2018 working on research, State of the Sector survey, and support on communications and membership.
In April 2019 started as Interim Communications and Membership officer, he is now responsible for the THCVS website, eBulletins and social media, and delivering training and support for organisations around digital.
Favourite thing to do in Tower Hamlets:
Abimbola Junaid
Abimbola joined THCVS in January 2021
Area of Expertise:
Governance, Partnerships, Community Engagement, Parliamentary Engagement, Research and Strategy
Work Background:
Starting out as a volunteer with DePaul Trust and Comic Relief nearly 20 years ago, did shape my career path in the social care sector, after which I gained a Master’s Program in Social Policy and Administration and since worked with International development partners, 3rd sector organisations and as a parliamentary assistant, strengthening citizens voice in policy and service delivery.
Favourite thing to do in Tower Hamlets:
Walking through the beauty that Tower Hamlet is, truly is divine.
Our Trustees
Chris Ley
Chris has worked within the Voluntary, Charity or Public Sector for the past 30 years and is in his 20th year here in Tower Hamlets.
He is currently Network Director of the Poplar & Limehouse Health Network which is a Community Interest Company providing health and wellbeing initiatives working with GPs and community partners in Poplar, Limehouse and the Isle of Dogs. He also works for the TH GP Care Group (the GP Federation in Tower Hamlets), managing strategic work across the Borough.
Chris values the opportunity, to work as a Trustee of THCVS, to help support voluntary organisations to continue to provide their vital services to the residents of Tower Hamlets.
Eleanor Healy-Birt
Jama Omar
Jama is a senior member of the Somali Senior Citizens Club and has lived in Tower Hamlets for 27 years. Jama values collaboration between local organisations highly, and is an active participant in many local forums including the Premises Forum.
Louisa Vickers-Mills
Louisa works as a Training and Consulting Partner for an education technology company and is responsible for the United Kingdom and the Netherlands territories. She has worked in libraries and with information for the past decade. She has lived in Tower Hamlets for the 3 years she has been in the UK having immigrated from New Zealand. She sees her responsibilities as a trustee as a way to support and assist charities to make a difference in the borough, and to connect with the local communities. Louisa also volunteers as a Reader Leader for The Reader, working with residents within the Tower Hamlets area.
Mike Smith
Mike Smith is the chief executive of Real, a position he has been in for seven years. Real is the user-led organisation of disabled people in Tower Hamlets. Previously he has worked as a Director at PwC and was a Commissioner at the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
Mike spoke about his connection to Tower Hamlets “I’ve lived in the borough for 18 years and have no intention of moving. I love our vibrant community and all of its diversity. I represent some of that diversity myself, as a gay disabled man.” Thinking about why he joined the board of THCVS, he talked about his belief in the positive impact not-for-profit organisations can make “I want to ensure that the work of this important sector is properly supported and connected, and together we have the maximum chance of meeting the needs of the communities we serve.”
Mohammad Rahman
I have been a Tower Hamlets Resident Since 2004. I have worked in the borough in various Third Sector Organizations in the Health and Social Care Sector, Refugee Support, Disability and with BAME Communities (such as Age UK, APASENTH, PRAXIS). I have been working with Local Government for over15 years (as a Social Worker). I have been actively supporting Charitable organizations in Tower Hamlet and run some small organizations. I have worked as a professional in various Government and Third Sectors organizations in the UK and Bangladesh. I am also actively involved with supporting and Creating Social Enterprises and recently completed a fellowship with SSE ( School of Social Enterprise).
Mustafa Ibrahim
Mustafa has worked in a number of roles across inner London over the past 17 years. He has worked as a Co-ordinator and later as CEO of Tower Hamlets Somali Organisations Network (THSON). From almost two decade he is most proud of ‘My experience and skills in the voluntary sector making strategic decisions, supporting unheard voices and building the capacity of communities particularly BME’s and charity organisations’.
Selina Uddin
Selina has worked in the voluntary and corporate social responsibility sector for over 12 years and is a Tower Hamlets resident. She is currently the Community Manager for the Broadgate Estate, at property company British Land.
Serving on the board of THCVS is a great opportunity for Selina to further support the vibrant voluntary sector of Tower Hamlets and ensure it continues to meet the needs of the borough.