Our Trustees

Blessings Kaseke

Blessings, a Mental Health Nurse, has been a Trustee since 2016. Having been born in Zimbabwe, Blessings witnessed the daily struggles of parents to afford education for their children.

Blessings has held a number of roles including an early years provision which she set up in Zimbabwe that allocates some places for the less privileged children in the community thereby fulfilling her long-held desire to contribute effectively in charitable activities in the community.

Richard Rushworth

Richard has worked in finance in the leisure, manufacturing and retail sectors. He has managed a recruitment agency. Now retired, he volunteers with humanitarian organisations, ex-serving military personnel and for fairer world advocacy and homeless charities.

His relaxation includes gardening, walking and socialising.

Ali Monjack

Ali is a Media Communications Specialist with a background in press, radio & TV. She is passionate about developing positive news stories and has a track record as an editor and presenter in community radio and That’s TV South of England where she worked closely with the BBC to supply content to regional newsrooms.

Ali strives to support charitable organisations and is committed to providing a media platform to build communities. This led her to start 4TheNow in 2020 to produce podcasts that make a social impact. She also works in communications for Savills as an Office Coordinator.

Ekundayo Akande LL.B, MA, MBA FCIArB

Ekundayo qualified as an International Arbitrator and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in 2018. She holds an LL.B in Law, an MA in international and Comparative Business Law, an MBA in project Management and Consultancy and a Diploma in International Arbitration. During lockdown, Ekundayo qualified as a Civil Mediation Council Accredited Mediator with the Civil Mediation Council.

Ekundayo has over 23 years’ experience in commercial contracts and currently works for Transport for London as a Contracts Compliance Manager. She is passionate about giving back and believes it’s the only way to really learn and grow. She has held voluntary roles within and outside her alumni, with various youth groups and is currently treasurer at her local church.

Savio Fernandes

Savio specialises in change management, enhancing organisational services and enriching the customer experience. He has over 30 years’ experience in local government, social housing and the banking sector. He is experienced as Head of Service & Business Operations and has a wealth of professional and rich cross-industry experience. He is also a coach and mentor.

Savio is an experienced school governor of an inner-city school. His main focus is in making sure that children receive the best education and opportunities available. As such, he is familiar with the role and responsibilities of a board member. Savio’s relaxation includes exploring new places on holiday, trying new foods and cooking. He brings his experience and expertise to support the vision and mission of Vana Trust.

Nick Harrison

Nick is the founder of the financial planning firm Harrison 360 Wealth Management and has worked in the finance sector for over 25 years. Nick is passionate about working with people to help them to develop a fully rounded ‘360 degree’ financial plan. Outside of work, Nick is also a Trustee of the children’s fostering charity ‘The Children’s Family Trust’, loves spending time with his family and is an avid sports fan.

Thank You To Our Supporters

Banya – an independent fostering provider. B1G1 – a corporate giving platform, Nyasha Gwatidzo, Karen Calthorpe, Henry Pitman, Lynne Franks, Joanna Whaley, Charlotte Lane, William Carey, Peter Huitson, Ann Goodman-Smith, Muriel Sutton Estate, Suzie and Issam Alsabban, Lindsey Wylie, Natalie Shell, Diggory John Atkins, Memorial Fund, Waitrose Community Fund, SESF, Bernard Sunley Foundation, Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust, Heart of Bucks, The Rothschild Foundation, Soil Association, Community Impact Bucks, Nicola Cairncross, GWIIN – Bola Olabisi, Lis Ransom – Henley Publishing, Iain – Eco Consulting, PDG Landscape Construction, Pete Middleton Electrics, Bruce McNaughton – Customer Driven Solutions Ltd, Annie Carlson Design, Piddington Poultry, Peartree Farm Poultry Breeders, Brill Scouts, MacIntyre, Kingwood

And of course our wonderful and hardworking team of farm volunteers. We would also like to thank everyone else who has given so generously of their ideas, talents, time and money. Every minute or every penny spent with us is sincerely appreciated.

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