Meet the Villiers Park Team

Gaby Sumner

Chief Executive

I am delighted to be Interim Chief Executive, having joined Villiers Park as Director of Fundraising in March 2022. I am proud to lead the organisation and work with brilliant colleagues across our Programmes, Communications, Fundraising and Finance teams, and with our Trustees and volunteers. Together, we deliver transformational programmes for young people that enable them to expand their horizons and realise their potential. We do this thanks to embedded partnerships in schools and FE colleges, partnerships with universities and employers, and the generosity of the individuals, trusts and foundations and companies who support us.

Before joining Villiers Park, I held senior leadership positions for over a decade, most recently as Campaign Director for Cambridge Children’s Hospital, and before that leading fundraising teams at English National Ballet, Tate Liverpool and the Royal Court Theatre, working on inspirational artistic, education and outreach programmes.

Outside of work, I recently completed a Masters in Social Innovation at the University of Cambridge, focusing my research on the use of social impact investment by charities in the UK. I am also a Trustee of Cambridge Junction and Synergy Theatre Project. Having moved to the countryside from the big city a few years ago, I relish a country walk to blow the cobwebs away with family and friends.

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Deborah Richardson

Director of Curriculum

I’m driven and motivated to support young people to explore their interests, passions and ambitions, and to see all their possible selves.

I started working with Villiers Park in 1990, making me the longest-serving member of staff. The organisation has changed almost beyond recognition over those years, but our commitment to equality of opportunity hasn’t wavered. I firmly believe that Future Leaders is the best iteration of our programme yet.

I’ve been in education all my working life, ending up as a Head of Modern Foreign Languages before joining Villiers. My interest and expertise is in curriculum development, using methodologies and pedagogies to develop subject-specific and skills-based resources, materials, courses and activities - both online and face to face - to meet current needs of young people.

With many years’ experience of working in partnership with schools, universities and a host of other training providers, I’m well-placed to support Future Leaders on their chosen pathways.

Outside work, my dog Olga and I love going on long walks and spending time with my son and family. I love exploring the UK and abroad; being a linguist, I am endlessly fascinated by language and culture.

Alex Grant

Assistant Director, Hastings & Bexhill, Tyneside and Early Entry

I have been with Villiers Park for 10 years, first as a Progression Coach (formerly Learning Mentor) and for the last 5 years as Assistant Director for Hastings & Bexhill, Tyneside and Early Entry. I am passionate about supporting young people to choose their own future pathways and have fair opportunities to access them.

Prior to joining Villiers Park, I trained as a dancer at The Royal Ballet School and Rambert School of Dance, before touring nationally and internationally for 6 years. Following my dance career, I moved into dance education with the Hastings & St Leonards Excellence Cluster, working with schools and community groups, before diversifying my role to include youth participation work and "gifted and talented" provision.

Away from work I still enjoy dancing for fun, reading, and family walks by the sea or in the woods.

Julie Kiddier

Assistant Director, Swindon

My team and I work with schools and colleges across Swindon to deliver the Future Leaders Programme. I joined Villiers Park in 2014, initially as a Progression Coach, and became an Assistant Director in 2017. I have a particular interest in working with employers on our Apprenticeship Support Programme, enabling young people to gain insights into their chosen career paths while developing the knowledge and skills to succeed.

I have an extensive career background in education outreach, including international roles supporting children, young people and adults in various settings. Immediately prior to joining Villiers Park I was a coordinator and part of the teaching team working in a detention centre delivering a literacy and numeracy programme for asylum seekers. I did this alongside a part-time role as Assistant Director at a Language school where I taught various Professional English courses. This followed my role working with the Australian State FE college system supporting Adults returning to Education through an individual tutor outreach programme.

I am a passionate learner myself, having recently completed Level 6 Career Coaching qualification which followed an MA in Education, and I'm looking forward to new challenges in the near future. Otherwise, I'm a mum of two and an enthusiastic heritage volunteer.

Sue Duma

Director of Finance and Operations

I am very excited to join the Villiers Park team. I am a Chartered Management Accountant and have spent many years in the Corporate world in various finance roles from Finance Manager, Finance Director to CFO and Company Secretary. In the last 20 years I have worked in the SME world in broad roles which include looking after the finances, HR, payroll, insurances, office leases, ISO 9001 and Company Secretary.

I have been a voluntary member of the St Ives Rotary Club for the last 10 years, where we fundraise and give back to the local community and Charities and support any major International disasters. I was treasurer for 5 years and have therefore had dealings with the Charity Commission, gift aid, Trustees reporting and Charity SORP Accounting.

Also outside of work, I like to go for walks and read mainly crime fiction. I am also currently learning to play Bridge with a group of friends.

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Marianne Gluhosky

Finance Manager

I joined Villiers Park in March 2013. My role is broad and has grown over the years to include account processing, recording of donations and submitting Gift Aid claims, cashflow, audits, payroll and HMRC submissions, HR, facilities, IT liaison and other general office functions.

I grew up in Norfolk and started my first full-time job at 15, working for a firm of solicitors. Following that, I spent 25 years working in various sales and operations roles, including Front-of-House Manager at an 80-bedroom hotel in Norwich, Branch Manager for award-winning car rental company at Stansted Airport, and Group Rental and Leasing Manager for a family-owned Ford dealership. I went back to college whilst working to facilitate a career change, and gained my AAT Accounting qualification in 2012. I started my accounting career as Finance Manager for market-leading Biomass boiler installer, joining Villiers Park shortly after. 

I’ve lived near Cambridge since 1998 and love everything it has to offer, especially theatre, museums, music events and places to eat. I’m mum to two elderly rescue guinea pigs. I also love alpacas and giraffes, and was lucky enough to have a recent holiday at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi! I’m a volunteer fundraiser for Guide Dogs, and in any spare time I play cribbage in a league which involves visiting lots of pubs - and yes, I am good and have won many trophies in my lifetime!

Jenny Parr

Programmes Manager

I began working at Villiers Park in 2010 as a Learning Mentor/Progression Coach and since then have managed various teams and projects as Programme Manager and Assistant Director on our Future Leaders Programme. In my current role as Programmes Manager, I lead and coordinate the administrative and organisational functions of the Trust’s programmes to ensure that logistics are in place to deliver effective engagement for our students, residentials and courses.

I am passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of others and supporting young people to reach their fullest potential. I have previously volunteered at residential camps for children with health challenges and disabilities for the children’s charity Over the Wall, as well as at a special educational needs school and Barnardo’s.

Outside of work I enjoy keeping fit at pilates, swimming and dance classes, as well as developing my skills in cake decorating and calligraphy.

Stephen Brooks

Interim Director of External Affairs

As Director of External Affairs, it’s my job to raise Villiers Park’s profile and persuade decision-makers that a young person’s background must never be a barrier to education and career opportunities. For me, Villiers Park’s work is personal: I was raised on one of England’s most deprived estates, and a lucky council-house swap opened up new opportunities. That’s why I’m passionate about everyone having the same opportunities to reach their potential.

The Comms Team’s day-to-day activities include promoting the Future Leaders programme, securing coverage in the media, and communicating our evidence and research to policy-makers and opinion-formers. We’re also focussed on creating and contributing to communities of practice within education and related sectors.

As the son of a market trader, communicating and influencing are skills I learned early in life and have used extensively over the past 20 years in the world of policy and campaigning. After university, I was elected President of the National Union of Students in Wales, and then went on to work in politics and for charities including Oxfam and Sustrans.

I combine my Villiers Park role with other freelance work, and I’m also a trainee psychotherapist. Outside work, I love volunteering, spending time with family and friends and obsessing about all things Nordic.

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Karen Kingston

Programme Coordinator, Swindon

I am passionate about working with young people to improve their aspirations and social mobility with the help of Villiers Park. I have been part of the Programmes Team for almost 5 years, delivering coaching sessions, skills workshops and application support. 

I have worked with students in a number of skills-building and pastoral roles during the past 18 years, and I enjoy seeing the Future Leaders find the confidence to take their next step in their academic and life plans.

Outside of work, I love to spend time with my family, going out for walks with our adopted dogs and relaxing with a good book (and some chocolate).

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Musetta Ripamonti

Programme Coordinator, Hastings & Bexhill

I have spent most of the last two decades working with disadvantaged children in the Hastings and Bexhill area. The last ten years have been with Villiers Park as a mentor/coach. I am a languages graduate with specialisms in the China field and have spent several years in China and Japan, working in education and travelling.

I am an artist in my spare time and enjoy going on Summer camping trips.

Andy Eason

Programme Coordinator, Tyneside

I am passionate about education and removing social barriers. I have been privileged in personally witnessing the impact it has had on the learners I have supported. This is because I have taught for thirty years, and I have always lived close to the schools in which I taught.

I have worked in four different educational establishments. At my penultimate school I was Lead Teacher coaching and mentoring all the staff to support them improve their pedagogy as well as Deputy head of Science. My last educational establishment was a National Pilot School set within a Further Education College. This was a very exciting opportunity as, having achieved the role of Curriculum Leader for Science I was able to develop, virtually from scratch, two new science departments. I was also Curriculum Lead for Stretch and Challenge ( Quality assurance and promoting progression). Our Direct Entry College supported students from the schools across the city in which I worked (not Newcastle) who were failing to progress within regular school settings, as well as home-schooled and school-phobic pupils. We offered a much-reduced academic curriculum with a wider selection of vocational courses. As a brand-new ‘school’ we were closely monitored by OFSTED as we trail-blazed the curriculum and structures required to support the education of our learners in our unique educational framework. During the course of the seven years that I worked there, I am very proud to be able to say, that we achieved “Outstanding” for all of our six inspections.

For the last three years I have worked on the National Tutoring Programme each time working for the DfE’s “preferred partner”. My roles were “Lead Tutor” (20/21), “Schools Engagement Executive” (21/22) and finally School Relations Officer (22/23).

In my spare time I like to be outside! It is important to me to keep fit, so I do resistance training and running, I particularly enjoy trail running. I love getting up into the mountains for hiking and climbing. Every year I canoe on the River Wye. When I holiday abroad I windsurf and sail.

Julie Penn

Progression Coach, Swindon

Prior to joining Villiers Park I spent several years working in the secondary education sector. Witnessing how lack of self-belief and opportunities hindered some students from reaching their true potential motivated me to apply to be a Progression Coach. Seeing how the work that we do can make a real difference to student’s performance and aspirations is really rewarding.

Outside of work, I like to keep active and enjoy tap dancing, swimming, gardening and walking. I am also a keen runner and this year completed the London Marathon.

Demi Garry

Progression Coach, Hastings & Bexhill

I am thrilled to have joined the Villiers Park team as a Progression Coach for Hastings and Bexhill hub. I am a Villiers Park alumni so I know first-hand the difference a programme like this can make to a young person’s life. Back when I was a student, Villiers Park was crucial in motivating me to achieve on my GCSE’s, to go to college and then on to university where I graduated with a degree in Psychology.

During my studies I decided I had an interest in education and working with young people, and began volunteering with children and young people to improve their mental health and wellbeing. I am passionate about helping young people to overcome barriers and make sure they get every opportunity to succeed and achieve their goals, whatever their background.

In my spare time I enjoy family days out, reading (when I get the chance) and chasing round after my two very energetic tots!

Amy Belham

Progression Coach, Norwich

I joined Villiers Park as a Progression Coach in September 2022. In my role, I deliver coaching sessions to young people in various schools across Norwich, helping them decide what they want to do with their future after they leave school, and supporting them to get to where they want to get in life, and their dreams!

I am passionate about supporting young people and using my skills to help them achieve what they want and lead happy, fulfilling lives. I worked previously within secondary education, helping students who had lost motivation, supporting their engagement in school. Before this, I was a caseworker in the Youth Offending Team in East London, helping rehabilitate young offenders.

Outside of work I am a keen runner, a music lover and gig-goer, and I am learning acoustic guitar. I am interested in food and love to cook, I’m a fashion and clothes enthusiast and -  among a few others at Villiers Park - a cat lover, and have a pet cat called Lily.

Niamh O'Connor

Progression Coach, Tyneside

I began my role as a Progression Coach in October 2022, shortly after completing a Master’s in the Psychology of Child and Adolescent development. With a background in Psychology, I have a huge interest in behaviour and mental health, and I am passionate about providing all students with equal opportunities regardless of these influences.

Throughout my education I have worked within numerous schools, supporting individuals from a range of different backgrounds, however I particularly enjoyed my time working at SEND schools. A particularly rewarding experience was working with children to get them back into the classroom after being out of education for a prolonged period of time. This required endless support and encouragement and I have many fond memories assisting students to overcome personal hurdles that at first seemed impossible.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with family and friends, going on city breaks, and watching performing arts. I also have a passion for baking, fashion, and interior design showcasing my creative side.

Claire Coburn

Trust Fundraising Manager

I joined Villiers Park in April 2022 as Trust Fundraising Manager. I'm responsible for securing grant funding from and building long term relationships with philanthropic trusts and foundations, to support the delivery and sustainability of our work. 

I have 26 years’ experience in fundraising, having worked in economic regeneration in the private and public sectors including supporting charities and community groups to fundraise, before working directly within the third sector. I've worked for several youth charities including Rathbone, Street League and OnSide Youth Zones, and raised millions in revenue and capital funding that has enabled some of the most disadvantaged young people to achieve their potential.

I'm an avid sportswoman and enjoy cycling, swimming and yoga, but stand-up paddleboarding is my biggest passion and I can be found pootling around Norfolk’s finest waterways most weekends. I'm mum to Labradors Bruce and Sandi, and Albie the cat. My favourite holiday destination is Wales, and I'm currently learning to speak Welsh. 

Maria Healy

Corporate Partnerships Manager

I joined Villiers Park in July 2022 as Corporate Partnerships Manager. I’m responsible for delivering our current partnerships and developing new ones with companies nationally, to create greater opportunities that benefit the young people we work with.

I am passionate about building partnerships that truly benefit both parties. That means inspirational experiences for our Future Leaders, and insight into supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds for partners. I have been working in the fundraising sector since 2019 and have delivered bespoke, authentic projects that bring in vital funds and invaluable expertise from the companies I have worked with. Whilst living in Cardiff, I worked with the University Outreach team to deliver History and Archaeology workshops across schools in South Wales, to encourage students to consider university as a pathway after college. I have also worked in charities concerning homelessness and drowning, to deliver lifesaving partnerships worth six figures.

Outside of work, I’m a competitive pub-quizzer and keen cyclist around the Cambridge countryside. In the evenings you can find me curled up on the sofa having a cuddle with my two cats, Hector and Winston. I also love a cold dip in the Scottish lochs every summer!

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Bronagh Sumner

Communications Manager

I joined Villiers Park in May 2023 as Communications Manager. I'm responsible for sharing the positive impact we create at Villiers Park. I work closely with the Programmes and Fundraising Teams to spread the word about all the amazing things happening at Villiers Park.

I am passionate about helping young people from all backgrounds to access the best support and reach their full potential. Previous to my role at Villiers Park I worked in the Employability Team at Nottingham Trent University helping students to plan their careers and perfect their applications. 

Outside of work, I am an avid reader and keen walker. I am enjoying exploring the beautiful countryside around my home in Cambridgeshire.

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Mary Csillag

Progression Coach, Swindon

I joined Villiers Park Trust in March 2023 as a Progression Coach for the Swindon Team. Prior to that, I’ve worked with children and young adults in various capacities for the last 25 years. I’ve taught English as a foreign language in a Romanian school, I worked as a nanny in the UK and Southern Ireland, and successfully ran my own childcare recruitment agency for many years in the South of England.

My educational background was initially rooted in teacher training in modern foreign languages (English and French) and I followed it up with a degree in Criminology and Psychology. My aim is to join a combined Masters and Phd degree in Criminology that prepares me to design rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for young offenders who experience the justice system.

I have also trained as a cognitive-behavioural hypnotherapist with the UK College for Hypnotherapy and Hypnosis, and I am a certified and accredited Coach and NLP Practitioner.

I love to travel to my home country of Hungary to visit friends and family, and in my spare time I really enjoy writing trauma informed recovery techniques based poetry, vegan fusion cooking, swimming, and my kickboxing classes.

Katie Byford

Fundraising and Communications Assistant

I joined Villiers Park in November 2023 as a Fundraising and Communications Assistant. Coming from a background in education and childcare, I am keen to work alongside the team to bring fundamental experiences to young people. I am passionate about supporting people to achieve the best they can, whether that be within my work team or guiding those who are benefiting from the work we do.

Prior to working at Villiers Park, I studied Early Childhood Studies at the University of Suffolk, which led to further training in primary schools and then working in a nursery, where I worked with children from 0-5 years. Within this workplace, I completed an additional the Level 5 qualification for Early Years Senior Practitioner.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing darts in my local leagues and socialising with my friends and family. I also particularly like to spend time with my family’s pets: Daisy the dog, as well as Luna, Cloud and Millie the cats.

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Caroline Treacher

Progression Coach, Wiltshire

I joined Villiers Park in November 2023, and I am extremely excited to start as a progression coach at Villiers Park Swindon and Wiltshire.

I have previously worked in support and person-centered advocacy roles within the NHS, Social Services, and the education sector.

Back when I was a young person, I too had challenges that prevented me from progressing with education, and I left school early with no qualifications. Many years later I found my passion for learning again and as a mature student have recently been through the whole process of GCSEs, A-Levels, and now hold a degree in Psychology. Therefore, I wholeheartedly understand the need and impact Villiers Park will have on these young people's futures and the importance of the job.

Additionally, I am a trained holistic therapist including trauma-informed mindfulness and guided meditation facilitator. I love writing poetry, reading, walking, watching wildlife, and yoga.