A community-centred, multi-faceted approach to the consequences of poverty and HIV/AIDS in rural South Africa
OUR TRUSTEES
Charity trustees serve on the governing body of a charity and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of a charity.
The Topsy Foundation UK has 6 Trustees:
Rodney has worked in South Africa and the UK in both the private and public sectors and as an HR consultant. His experience in South Africa included the planning and provision of medical and social services to majority population groups in the country.
In the UK his work has covered the planning and implementation of equal opportunity & diversity policies and programmes, policy analysis, event management, conflict resolution, and devising training materials and programmes. Much of this work took place during his time at the UK’s Commission for Racial Equality.
Other experience includes work in voluntary organisations and running a service company in the private sector.
Chairman Rodney Waldeck
L-R Jeff Rodrigues, Rodney Waldeck,
Front - Hilary Farrell
Susan is currently a published creative writer and executive coach, accredited in interpreting Hogan Personality Assessments. She is also a volunteer mentor for a number of charitable organisations.
Previously, she owned The Angoy Consultancy Ltd for twelve years. The consultancy specialised in CSR, International Development and UK regeneration and community cohesion projects. Overseas projects included an assignment in the Niger Delta of Nigeria and a development project in Cape Town, South Africa. Her earlier professional career was mainly in the public sector, and public-private partnerships focused on economic development and regeneration.
Susan has been a non-executive director (NED) on a number of public boards. The most recent NED appointments were: The London Development Agency and NHS Camden Primary Care Trust.
Susan Angoy
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Fiona Ghosh runs a boutique Consultancy implementing large scale IT systems for Retailers. Her clients have included well known UK brands like Marks & Spencers, Selfridges, River Island, and All Saints amongst others. She was born in Scotland and her family emigrated to South Africa where she was educated. After graduating from the University of the Witwatersrand, Fiona joined the Edgars Group in Johannesburg, becoming a Merchandise Planner on their Buying floor for several years, before returning to the UK to complete her MBA at Edinburgh Business School.
She is now married to Joydip, together they have 2 teenage boys and a crazy Airedale Terrier. The family spend their time between London and Kleinmond in the Western Cape.
Fiona has been involved with several South African children's charities and has supported Topsy SA since the early days. Early on during Lockdown her oldest son developed the idea of a Lockdown Half Marathon and co-opted some of his school friends to join him; together they approached Topsy with the idea and this resulted in a successful fundraising event. She is excited to become involved in finding fundraising opportunities for Topsy UK, so that it can continue to support Topsy SA in a post-Covid world, at a time when children's security needs have become paramount.
Fiona Ghosh
Foszia worked with the emergent black trade union movement in Durban in the 70’s and was the co-founder with Harriet Bolton and Richard Turner of the Institute of Industrial Education which developed course-work programmes to meet the needs of the factory workers. She also assisted Richard Turner in the founding of the South Africa Labour Bulletin and oversaw its production in its initial year
In the UK, from 1981, she has occupied the posts of Women Centre Coordinator in Kingston and Assistant Director at Family Service Units in London before moving on in 2001 to run her Transpersonal Regression Therapy practice based in Surrey.
Foszia Turner-Stylianou
Jeff Rodrigues
Jeff is a consultant in Organisational Development and Change Management; before this he was a senior manager in public service.
After completing his Master’s degree at the University of Keele, he joined the Faculte des Lettres, university of Oran, Algeria as a lecturer. On his return to the UK he moved to policy development and implementation in the Civil Service in Whitehall.
In 1990, as part of at team, Jeff set up the Office for Public Management, one of the most influential consultancy organisations in the public sector. In 1997 Jeff formed his company with clients coming from mainly health and local government. He also writes about organisational issues.
Jeff has been involved in charity work for many years. He fundraised for the ANC in the 1980s and for many charities in Africa through sporting activities and organizing large-scale social events. He is a volunteer at Blind Veterans UK, based in Ovingdean, Brighton, working on a one-to-one basis with residents.
As a Topsy Trustee Jeff continues to be a fundraising activist and strategist. “Topsy does great work and I want to be part of expanding our capability.”
Suzy Murphy
Suzy has a wealth of experience in the Lifelong Learning Sector gained during 21 years’ experience as a consultant and independent trainer in further education.
Suzy began her career in 1997 as a trainer with the NHS, branching out for 2 years to own and run a tearoom. She then worked as a Registered Manager for a care company providing and organising 24 hour care for palliative care patients.
Suzy started First Step Training 11 years ago and has delivered and written programmes for AGE UK (formerly Age Concern) and resource packs for the UKHCA (UK Home Care Association). She has provided training for MENCAP, private care providers including in relation to dementia, care/support planning, risk management, equality and diversity, teaching in academic establishments, third sector and private providers.
Suzy has a Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLL's) level 5 and is a qualified First Aid instructor.
When not working Suzy loves spending time with her daughter, travelling and cooking up a storm for her family
Until the end of 2019 Gwyneth was Controller of BBC Radio 4 and 4 Extra. Before that she was Director of the BBC World Service in English, Editor of the Reith Lectures for many years and Head of Radio Current Affairs.
She worked briefly at the Overseas Development Institute and took five years out of formal employment in the 1980s to be with her children. She has published two books, one, co-authored with Brian Hackland, on Southern Africa and another on Third World political organisations.
Gwyneth grew up in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa and is an Honorary Fellow of St Hugh’s College, Oxford where she was educated.
Gwyneth Williams
Natasha Walsh
Natasha is an IT Sales Consultant managing service contracts for enterprise businesses within the UK.
Gaining international experience working at organisations in Switzerland and West Africa, Natasha started her career in IT at Softcat in London where she spent 4 years working with key accounts and managing a team. Natasha is now with Microsoft.
Natasha graduated from Manchester University with a Business degree in 2013.
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