Gill Marcus, Chair of Trustees

Gill spent most of her career as a lawyer in the corporate world working for National Lottery operator Camelot. From there, she went on to Cancer Research UK and later took her passion for the not-for-profit sector into a voluntary role. Having chaired the board during the creation of Aspens from its merger, Gill is now enjoying watching the charity grow and thrive.

Ian Colbridge

Ian has a background in engineering, aircraft design and production and spent 24 years in the military. He took his first trustee role in 1990, at a charity which provided residential and outreach services for people with autism in Bexley, Kent. He continued when the charity merged with Pepenbury in 2011 and sits on Aspens' board. Aspens supports Ian's daughter, who is autistic, to live independently within her local community.

Peter Green

Peter brings professional knowledge of care quality, multi-agency working and governance to the Aspens board. A particular focus is helping to ensure that Aspens can recruit, retain and develop the best possible staff so that those the charity supports can build stable relationships. Peter’s son is an Aspens resident and being a trustee gives Peter an opportunity to give something back to the charity.

Steph Upton

Steph brings 17 years’ experience in marketing in the not-for-profit sector. The majority of her experience has been in charities working to empower people with disabilities and their families, a cause that she is passionate about and which is at Aspens’ heart. Steph is committed to working with Aspens to help ensure that everybody it supports has the opportunity to live life to its full potential. 

Kirsty Sadler

Kirsty provided corporate finance experience during the merger that created Aspens and has remained a member of Aspens' Finance and Risk committee. Her commercial banking background includes managing portfolios of corporate clients at Barclays and Lloyds banks and her knowledge of the banking world is invaluable to Aspens.

Eileen Jackman

Eileen joined the Aspens board in early 2020. Her professional background is in education, the criminal justice system and neurological rehabilitation and she has been a director of a national charity specialising in independent living; improving mobility and acquired brain injury rehabilitation. She's glad to be able to continue her involvement in the charity world as an Aspens trustee.

Adrian Batchelor

After joining the board in December 2019, Adrian brings skills and experience from a career in financial services. Married, with five boys, his youngest son is autistic with severe learning difficulties and lives in residential care in Sussex. Adrian is looking forward to working with his fellow trustees and staff to make a difference to everybody supported by Aspens. 

Ian Arnold

Ian held senior roles at Camelot Group plc and Playtech plc, before joining one of the Big 4 consulting practices to advise UK clients on governance, risk and compliance.  He also owns and runs a private consulting business and, as well as being a Trustee for Aspens, is Chair of a Community Interest Company.  He spent many years raising funds for the National Deaf Children's Society by participating in overseas challenges, including trekking the Cuban rainforest, the Inca Trail in Peru and ascending Mount Kilimanjaro; hanging up his boots in 2012 after completing the 'Coast to Coast' multi-sport challenge in the North of England.  He is committed to using his expertise in technology, regulation and auditing to support Aspens as a Trustee.

Tim Sadka

Tim joined the board in December 2020. A Partner at Rix and Kay Solicitor’s Corporate and Commercial team, Tim has more than 25 years’ experience in the legal field and a string of high-profile awards. With more than two decades experience both as a corporate lawyer and in business management, Tim brings a wealth of experience to Aspens and has a proven track record of helping organisations realise and deliver their strategic objectives. Tim is an advisor to national and international businesses and his areas of expertise include charities, mergers and acquisitions, finance and leadership and mentoring.

Carmen Di Cara

Carmen joined the board in May 2021. She has been in brand management for over ten years, working within the entertainment industry and charitable sector, most notably FremantleMedia and Prince's Trust International. Currently studying for an MBA, and a diploma in performance coaching, Carmen is looking forward to being an active part of the Aspens community, supporting the strategic growth of Aspens with the team.

Luke Holbrook

Luke joined the board in December 2022, having spent the past decade working in the financial services industry. Luke has worked as an equity research analyst for Morgan Stanley and, prior to this, at Stifel. Luke is a Chartered Accountant, having also worked in the Assurance team at PwC. Luke is looking forward to working with other trustees to ensure the charity continues to provide the best care to the people it supports.