Sue Laidlaw

Founder

Sue Laidlaw is Founder and Senior Partner of Laidlaw Education LLP. She taught in schools before founding her education consultancy. For over twenty-five years, she has headed her team of forty-five at Laidlaw Education LLP. 

Anna Maxwell Martin

Ambassador

Anna Maxwell Martin is an actress from stage and screen. Best known for her work on screen in BBC's 'Motherland' and ‘Line of Duty’ and at the National Theatre in ‘His Dark Materials’ and ‘Consent’. She has won Baftas for her work in ‘Bleak House’ and Channel 4’s ‘Poppy Shakespeare’. Most recently she has played Monica in Joe Penhall's play ‘The Constituent’ at The Old Vic and appeared in the BBC series  ‘Ludwig’. As an ambassador of Sponsorstars she is a strong advocate for ensuring that all children have access to quality education adapted to their needs.

Buffy Davis

Ambassador

Buffy Davis is an actor who will be familiar to all who listen to The Archers. Whilst they may not recognise her picture, they will know her dulcet tones as she purrs behind the bar at The Bull, as lovely landlady, Jolene. Screenwork includes Doc Martin, The Night Manager, The Trial of Christine Keeler, Outlaws and she was recently in Machinal in the West End, which was nominated for an Olivier Award. Buffy is a former trustee of the Actors’ Children’s Trust. As an Ambassador for Sponsorstars, her message is that poverty should not get in the way of children fulfilling their potential and that every child should start with the same advantages. 

Bobby Seagull

Ambassador

After a career in the City as a trader for Lehman Brothers, and then as an accountant with PwC, Bobby is now a school maths teacher. He presented a BBC series “Monkman & Seagull’s Genius Guide to Britain” and published a book “The Life-Changing Magic of Numbers”.  Bobby co-founded OxFizz, a social enterprise that supports students applying to university as well as being a trustee for the youth leadership charity, UpRising. 

Katie Marshall

Ambassador

Katie Marshall is an award-winning 17-year-old Soprano. Since she started Classical singing at 6 years of age, Katie has performed at the O2, sung on Warner Music’s ‘Christmas at Downton Abbey’ album with the Downton Abbey & Broadway actor Julian Ovenden,  and duetted with the King’s singers’ Paul Phoenix. She was nominated for a CLASSIC BRIT Award (Sound of Classical Poll).

Aled Jones

Patron

Aled Jones has performed at countless concerts as a boy soprano all over the world and became a household name in the 1980's singing "Walking in the Air" in the film The Snowman. 

Parul Hindocha

Company Secretary

Parul is a qualified UK Chartered Accountant. She worked for the RELX Group for many years before retiring in 2021. Parul has always had an interest in education, particularly education for girls.

Georgia Laidlaw

Administrator

Georgia has undertaken various roles in both the charity and social care sectors. With a background and degree in Psychology, Georgia has a strong interest in the development of children. Understanding the importance of early education, she is passionate about ensuring all children are given equal education opportunities. Having been involved from the beginning, and watched the growth of Sponsorstars, Georgia is excited to further her fundraising efforts and help to make a difference.

Andrew Toll

Trustee

Sponsor turned Trustee, Chartered Financial Planner Andrew has over 12 years of experience in finance, having previously worked at Barclays Private Bank. He is now a Director of boutique financial planning practice, Mulberry Bow, based in the City of London. 

Clarence Mitchell

Trustee

Clarence has more than 30 years of communications, senior public affairs engagement and government relations experience. He later established Clarence Mitchell Communications Ltd and is a Director of the Enterprise Forum.

Fiona Thompson

Trustee

Fiona enjoyed a working life in television, as a writer, BBC producer and director, though volunteering in her children’s primary school gave her just as much enjoyment and satisfaction.

She is thankful for an education that gave her choice and opportunity and wants to work towards making that true for every child.

Jess Laidlaw

Trustee

Dr Jess Laidlaw is a Bristol-based General Practitioner, with interests in Child Health, Medical Education, and Lifestyle Medicine. She has experience working with children and young people across a range of healthcare settings and demographic backgrounds, and has led a range of projects focused on reducing health inequalities at population level.

Having directly observed the scale and impact of deprivation and inequality in her professional work, Jess was inspired to join the Sponsorstars board of Trustees and contribute towards positive change for young people in the UK.

Sue Conner

Trustee

Sue spent the majority of her career within the NHS initially as a Pharmacist before moving into project and general management. Her final ten years were spent at Great Ormond Street Hospital where she was privileged to witness the development of groundbreaking treatments for children. Sue is committed to using the skills and experience she gained working as a senior manager to benefit the important work of Sponsorstars. 

More recently since retiring in 2022, Sue has become a grandparent and, now living in Cornwall, is more than ever aware of the struggles some families face to provide for their children.

Hazel Annikin

Trustee

Hazel has more than 25 years of work experience ranging across public and private sectors, including multinational companies in both Fast moving consumer goods and Luxury goods sectors. Her experience to date has been in Logistics, Finance and Sustainability and she has worked with colleagues worldwide to improve training and knowledge. She is passionate about the opportunities which can be available through education and strongly believes in the fundamental human right of everyone having equal access to education. Already a sponsor, Hazel decided to become a Trustee in order to give her time to help Sponsorstars further their work in helping disadvantaged children reach their full potential.

Johanna George

Trustee

Johanna is a passionate and dedicated Assistant Headteacher at a London Primary School, with decades of experience. She is committed to ensuring all children receive opportunities to enable them to reach their potential. As a working teacher, Johanna understands the importance and positive impact of basic requirements such as access to healthy food and school uniform, on a child’s life and future opportunities.

Alan Kelly

Honorary Advisor

After a long and successful career with ExxonMobil, Alan is now Chairman of the Board of Visitors at Wake Forest University Business School, on the Worldwide Board for Junior Achievement and a member and former Marketing Committee Head of the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. 

Edmund Orme

Trustee

Edmund is the Deputy Head Teacher at a preparatory school in Southwest London. Responsible for overseeing the academic provision, he is deeply committed to fostering progression and challenge across all areas of education. Driven by a passion for helping every pupil flourish, Edmund ensures that each student has the opportunity to showcase their strengths and explore their interests. He was especially eager to take on the role as Trustee at Sponsorstars, recognising the fundamental importance of ensuring young learners are fully equipped to thrive in their education.

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