Charity Champions Podcast

Charity Champions Podcast S02E03: Will Snell, CEO, Fairness Foundation

In this episode of the Charity Champions Podcast, Emily Formby speaks with Will Snell, Chief Executive of the Fairness Foundation, about what it means to lead organisations that influence systems rather than deliver services.
Will shares his journey from international development to founding and running NGOs focused on social justice, and reflects on the challenges of measuring impact in advocacy work compared to service delivery. He talks openly about the funding pressures facing the “new economy” movement, the importance of building bridges across political divides, and why fairness must be seen as a strategy for long-term societal change.
Emily and Will explore the differences between executive and governance leadership, the balance of care and challenge in managing teams, and how the Fairness Foundation is tackling wealth inequality through research, campaigning, and shifting public narratives.
This is an insightful conversation about fairness, inequality, and the leadership approaches needed to drive systemic change in the UK charity sector.

Charity Champions Podcast S02E02: Bayo Adelaja, CEO, Do it Now Now

In this episode of the Charity Champions Podcast, Emily Formby speaks with Bayo Adelaja, founder and CEO of Do it Now Now, about the journey that has reshaped how funding, equality and leadership are understood in the charity sector.
Bayo shares how a simple New Year’s resolution sparked the creation of Do it Now Now and how the organisation has since distributed more than £3 million to Black-led charities and social enterprises.
She talks openly about the challenges of breaking through systemic barriers, the importance of lived experience in leadership, and why unrestricted funding is vital for sustainability.
Emily and Bayo explore what it means to build trust with communities, the role of research and data in driving change, and how moments of crisis from redundancy to the pandemic shaped the organisation’s growth.
This is an inspiring conversation about agency, equity and the systems that must change to ensure every voice is heard.

Charity Champions Podcast S02E01: Nicky Wake, Founder, Widowed Collective

In this episode of the Charity Champions Podcast, Emily Formby speaks with Nicky Wake, founder of The Widowed Collective, about the experiences that reshaped her life and work.
Nicky talks candidly about losing her husband Andy, the long years of uncertainty that followed, and the reality of parenting, running a business and surviving grief at the same time. She shares how those years led her away from corporate events and towards building peer-led spaces for widowed people, including Chapter 2 Dating and The Widowed Collective.
Emily and Nicky discuss why support from others with lived experience can be life-saving, how community can change the way grief is carried, and what it means to create something meaningful from the hardest period of your life.
A powerful and honest conversation about loss, connection and finding a way forward when everything has changed.

Charity Champions Podcast S01E08: Karen Horner, CEO, Tomorrow's Women

Welcome to the Charity Champions Podcast. In this episode, our Divisional Director, Emily Formby, sits down with Karen Horner, CEO of Tomorrow’s Women, for a heartfelt and honest conversation about stepping into leadership during a period of major organisational change.
Karen reflects on her reluctant transition from operations to CEO, the self-doubt that followed, and how two decades inside the charity shaped her perspective when the founding CEO retired. She talks openly about balancing the weight of responsibility, the realities of leading during expansion, and the pressures of sustaining funding in a competitive public sector landscape.
Emily and Karen also dive into the human side of leadership, from managing the shift in relationships with colleagues, to retaining frontline connection while moving into a strategic role, to supporting staff who have grown through the organisation, including women with lived experience of the criminal justice system.
It’s a grounded and uplifting look at what leadership really looks like in community-based charities: navigating change, trusting your team, and staying true to the mission while the organisation evolves around you.

Charity Champions Podcast S01E07: Martin Drewry, CEO, Health Poverty Action

Welcome to the Charity Champions Podcast.
In this episode, our Divisional Director, Emily Formby, speaks with Martin Drewry, CEO of Health Poverty Action, about what it really takes to lead a global organisation without a traditional head office.
Martin reflects on the shift to a decentralised model, how moving away from London reshaped their culture and costs, and why grounding leadership in the countries they serve has strengthened their mission.
Emily and Martin also unpack the myths around CEO power, the realities of restricted funding, and the art of leading through influence instead of authority. Martin shares how he builds energy across teams in 15 countries and keeps people motivated when resources are tight.
It’s a clear and grounded look at modern non-profit leadership and the quiet skills that keep complex global work moving.

Charity Champions Podcast S01E06: Katherine Vesey, Founder and CEO, Heart4refugees

Welcome to the Charity Champions Podcast!
Our Divisional Director, Emily Formby, sits down with Katherine Vesey, the founder of Hearts4Refugees, to talk about how compassion, community, and courage come together to create real change for people seeking safety and belonging.
Katherine shares her journey from local volunteer to community leader, reflecting on the challenges of building Heart4refugees from the ground up and the moments of hope that keep her going. She opens up about the impact of the war in Ukraine, the power of small acts of kindness, and how food and friendship have become bridges between cultures.
Their conversation explores leadership, empathy, and the everyday realities of building community through compassion, a reminder that lasting change begins when people come together with open hearts and shared purpose.

Charity Champions Podcast S01E05: Kieran Connolly, Founder and CEO, Sports Fun 4 All

Welcome to the Charity Champions Podcast!
Our Divisional Director, Emily Formby, chats with Kieran, the founder of 'Sports Fun 4 All', about how football and community can come together to inspire confidence, belonging, and change in young people’s lives.
Kieran talks about his journey from local coach to founder, the early struggles of starting out, and how 'Sports Fun 4 All' grew from one small idea into a trusted community space across London. He also reflects on what it means to lead with purpose, build a supportive team, and stay grounded while growing a charity.
Their conversation explores resilience, leadership, and the quiet power of giving people a place where they feel seen and valued.

Charity Champions Podcast S01E04: Melissa Santiago-Val, CEO of ‘Sew Positive’

Welcome to the Charity Champions Podcast!
Our Divisional Director Emily Formby sits down with Melissa, the founder of Sew Positive, to talk about how sewing, creativity, and community can bring people together and spark personal change.
Melissa shares how her volunteers are supported through training and supervision and the role of creativity in improving mental wellbeing. She also opens up about her own experience with mental health, the importance of asking for help, and how strong trustee partnerships make small charities resilient.
Their conversation explores community, sustainability, and the quiet strength behind small acts of repair, both in fabric and in life.

Charity Champions Podcast S01E03: Martin Farrell, Founder and Director of ‘Get2thepoint’

Welcome to the Charity Champions Podcast!
In this episode, our Divisional Director, Emily Formby sits down with Martin Farrell – Founder and Director of ‘Get2thepoint’, crisis coach, and author of Good Leaders in Turbulent Times. 
Martin shares the powerful story of how his own difficult experience in the late 1990s became the fuel for his life’s work supporting CEOs in crisis, from navigating workplace turbulence to facilitating retreats with the UN.
Their conversation explores leadership, resilience, the hidden costs of silence, and what it truly means to stand alongside people in turbulent times.

Charity Champions Podcast S01E02: Dr Clare Roberts-Molloy, Founder and CEO of Periods Matter

Welcome to the Charity Champions Podcast!
In this episode, our Divisional Director, Emily Formby chats with Dr Clare Roberts-Molloy, Founder and CEO of Periods Matter, and a remarkable coach, board chair, and advocate for women over 40. Clare opens up about a pivotal moment in her life when everything changed - leaving a long-term toxic relationship, facing burnout and finding the courage to completely rethink her career and purpose.
Clare shares the real challenges and triumphs of making bold life and career shifts. Their conversation touches on governance, leadership, resilience and the simple but powerful idea that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.