Meet The Team

Vince Craig

After Graduating with a degree in Food Science, Vince worked for two SMTs before joining Tesco and then Hazlewood Foods. He had ultimately senior roles in both organisations, including main PLC board experience with the latter company. He then set up a consultancy with worldwide clients in the food manufacturing and retail sectors. His involvement with the third sector increased during this time both at local and national level, including a 9-year period as a board member of FareShare UK.

Mike Court

Since retiring as a senior management consultant to the NHS, having previously been a NHS Trust Director of Strategy, Mike volunteers for a local homeless and vulnerable person charity, chairs the Residents Association committee having chaired the Stafford Borough Police Performance panel, whilst also setting up a Community Interest Company to provide additional food, free of charge, for those suffering from food poverty. He finds time to play badminton and is a season ticket holder at Leeds United.

Bachelard Yemtsa

Bachelard is a minister within the United Reformed Church, serving in Sleaford and Boston. He was born in Cameroon and came to England 18 years ago. He studied Biosciences and has recently obtained a Professional Doctorate in Cambridge. Bachelard say he is “passionate about loving communities in practical ways, with a particular focus on people in need and those who are more vulnerable.” For the past 11 years, he  has been involved in many community projects which provide support including food to those most in need.

Kully Chatrik

Kully has a strong background in marketing across various industries and is both a Chartered Marketer and a Certified Digital Marketing Professional. She first connected with FareShare Midlands as a volunteer, deeply passionate about contributing to her community. She is also an active member of her local choir where she enjoys performing and connecting with her community through music.

Holly Hughes

Holly works in business development at Practical Action, an international development organisation. She holds a bachelors in Geography and a Masters in International Development and over the years has volunteered as a mentor for girls, in various fundraising roles at other charities, and has run an environmentally focused social media campaign. Holly joined FareShare in 2024 after being impressed with the holistic nature of the mission to tackle food waste, food poverty, and increase employability.

Helen Sisson

Helen has worked in the food industry for over 35 years, and now as Technical Director, Helen’s experience spans Food Safety, Health & Safety, Agriculture and Sustainability. Helen was directly involved in the establishment of the Food Industry Intelligence Network (FIIN), of which she is a Director and Co-Chair. She was part of the expert panel on the DEFRA Independent review into Labour Shortages in the Food Supply Chain, is also a member of the Food Data Transparency Partnership Group and the DEFRA Market Monitoring panel. Helen spent 6 years as a Trustee, for FareShare UK and 9 years as Non-Executive Director of Campden BRI.

Sabrina Ffrench

Sabrina Ffrench joined FareShare Midlands in 2023 after volunteering roles in fundraising and events in charity organisations across the country. Sabrina works within the Public Sector as a nurse caring for people across different specialities and previously has experience as Public Governor. Sabrina enjoys being one of FareShare Midlands’s Trustees and championing the prevention of food waste to provide support for communities.

Barbara Lunnon

Barbara divides her time between work as a Coach and Business Consultant, and volunteering with her local Community Larder as a coordinator. She’s a trustee at several local charities in the food aid and community sectors and joined FareShare Midlands in 2023. She’s also a parish councillor in a large village and a volunteer speaker and fundraiser for the Air Ambulance Service. Before becoming self-employed, she worked for 30 years in Business to Business Marketing, mostly for companies in the food, food ingredients, and scientific services industries. She qualified as a Coach and Mentor in 2023, is licensed as a Management Drives Practitioner (an occupational personality profiling technique), and provides marketing and ghostwriting support to small and mid-sized businesses, mostly in the areas of food production, food law and food compliance fields.

Charlie Thompson

Charlie Thompson has worked in income generation within the non-profit sector since 2011, specialising in building sustainable funding streams and fostering meaningful donor relationships. She is currently Director of Income Generation at St Barnabas Hospice, leading on fundraising, retail, and lottery income to support end-of-life care for communities across Lincolnshire. With a deep passion for ethical fundraising and sector-wide collaboration, Charlie is committed to driving innovation and sharing best practices. As a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Convention Board, she plays a key role in shaping an inspiring and inclusive event that supports fundraisers at all levels. Charlie is a strong advocate for professional development and champions a fundraising sector that is diverse, ethical, and future-focused.

Sophie Lawson

Sophie has worked in the Fresh Produce industry for over ten years. She joined Fyffes in 2018 after completing the MDS Graduate Scheme. Sophie’s expertise lies in Operations and People Management. She has a Masters in the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources. Sophie’s exposure to FareShare Midlands came through redistribution of produce and, over time, Fyffes becoming a leading food partner. She has joined the Board of Trustees to aid in the reduction of food poverty.

Simone Connolly

Chief Executive

Simone Connolly has worked for FareShare since its launch in 2007 as FareShare Leicester and after successfully growing the organisation from a local Leicester project to a regional charity, was promoted to the role of Chief Executive in 2017, with overall responsibility for leading our operations across the Midlands. Simone previously worked for the Diocese of Leicester as Executive Assistant to the Dean and Bishop and previously in various Sales and Business Development roles. Simone is also a Trustee for FareShare UK.

Laura Spencer

Deputy CEO

Laura Spencer joined FareShare in 2019 and after roles leading volunteering, employability fundraising and membership became Head of Commercial in 2023 with overall responsibility for Communications, Community Development and Projects and Innovations. Laura previously worked within the public sector where she led regional and national teams and built extensive experience in communications and campaigns, partnership working, project management and grant funding. Laura is also a School Governor at a local primary school.

John Pearson

Head of Finance

John Pearson spent his finance career working in the manufacturing industry, before making the move across to the charity sector to join the FareShare Midlands team in February 2022. John manages a small team covering all areas of finance for the Charity and enjoys working for an organisation that is trying to make a difference for people across the Midlands.

Kathryn Roberts

Head of Operations & Food

Kat Roberts joined FareShare in 2023 as Head of Operations & Food with overall responsibility for all things Warehouse, H&S, Food Hygiene, Supply Chain and Food. Kat previously worked within the food industry in similar roles within the hospitality and manufacturing sectors along with setting up cookery and bakery schools in London.

Paul Akroyd

Head of Volunteering & Employability

Paul has worked within the voluntary sector for a number of years. A serial volunteer himself, he joined Fareshare Midlands in December 2022 as the Head of Volunteering and Employability. Based in Leicester, he works across the region spreading his time across sites in Nottingham, Birmingham and Leicester. When Paul is not leading on volunteering and employability you will find him either swimming, running or cycling or very occasionally on a rugby pitch. He is also a Trustee of Leicester based charity Home Start Horizons.

Kara Glover

Head of Fundraising

Joining the FareShare Midlands team in 2025, Kara brings a creative and hands-on approach to the charity’s fundraising efforts. With a background in delivering impactful campaigns, and a passion for storytelling that inspires action, Kara is passionate about building deeper community connections. "I believe great fundraising is all about connection – between people, purpose and community." Kara enjoys spending time on the netball court, where her love for teamwork, strategy and a good challenge comes to life.