Meet our staff

Heather Hunt - Fundraising Volunteer Manager (East Region)

I work from home, raising funds and recruiting volunteers from a wide-ranging, diverse area. Dull it isn't! I thrive on the variety, the challenge and most of all, the wonderful people I meet every day. I feel extremely privileged when members of the public share their sad loss with me, or heart patients who rejoice because they feel well again, offer their help with fundraising.

Julie Watson - Regional Head of Volunteer Fundraising (South Region)

I joined BHF in the 90’s, first as a Fundraising Volunteer Manager and now as Regional Head of Volunteer Fundraising. But my connection to BHF is far greater and longer. In 1976, aged 11, I was asked to volunteer at my local branch because I'd had open heart surgery at 5. I was happy to help BHF as I wanted to give something back − something that still motivates me today.

Paddy Elvin - Supporter Care Assistant

I came to the BHF as a volunteer and was delighted to subsequently be offered a place in the Supporter Care Team handling supporter donations and enquiries. It’s a pleasure to work with a fantastic group of committed, friendly people and every day I am touched by the generosity of new and regular supporters who give their money and time towards our vital work! 

Lorraine Keogh - Volunteer Training & Recruitment Advisor 

As Volunteer Training and Recruitment Advisor I get to work with a variety of different people, raising awareness of the BHF in local communities and recruiting & training volunteers for our shops to help us raise the funds we need. I love working for an organisation that is devoted to the fight against disease and It’s great to see the small difference I can make.

Gareth Julian - Retail Area Manager (Northampton)

I'm an Area Manager, in the South East Midlands. It’s a role I love, I'm humbled everyday by the good work the charity and volunteer teams working within our shops do. Don’t be fooled it’s not all tea and biscuits, BHF has the same retail principles you'll find in any high street retailer. The expectation is high but the reward is knowing that through good retailing we raise money to save lives.

Karen O'Donoghue - National Stock Generation Manager

I head up the recently created Stock Generation team as part of the Stock Taskforce. The Taskforce was created to respond to the continual decline in donated items to our charity shops. My role is varied, I travel the UK to some interesting and sometimes not so glamorous places but I' m passionate about both fighting heart disease and reducing the environmental burden on landfill.

Jenna Hall – Head of Children and Young People

The Children and Young People's team supports 0-19 year olds and their carers to prevent, reduce and manage their heart health throughout their lives. We achieve this by producing a range of multimedia resources and through direct engagement with young people and professionals, including training days, workshops, grant funding and peer support programmes. I joined the team in January 2013 and previously worked in the public and charitable sectors.

Robert Amanze - Community Resuscitation Administrator

My job incorporates the provision of Emergency Life Support grants called ‘Heartstart’ to schools and schemes within England and Wales.  Essentially, it is simple skills that save lives. It is very rewarding to find out that the life of a parent or loved one could have been saved by a child who has been taught the Heartstart programme, co-ordinated by the BHF.

Judy O’Sullivan - Programme Lead, Heart Matters Service

In my time at the BHF I've had lots of opportunities including support with further study and promotion. My background is in cardiac nursing. I've used that knowledge and acquired a whole new range of skills.The pace of work is fast, there is lots of variety and always an opportunity to try something new. It's challenging and rewarding. I love working for BHF so I'd recommend it! 

 

Tamara Bennett - Senior Media Officer

The Multimedia team is an exciting team to work in. We're forward thinking in our approach and are constantly developing new ideas and creative approaches to communications. I work on a variety of projects and campaigns, no two days are ever the same. There are new challenges every day but I really feel I make a difference to the lives of people living with heart disease.

Ben McKendrick - Senior Policy & Public Affairs Manager Scotland & NI

In my role I try and persuade governments and politicians to implement the policies BHF supports: which is fortunate because arguing with people also happens to be one of my favourite hobbies, so to get paid and make a real difference doing it is great! I’ve been with BHF since 2006 and Its great to be part of such a dynamic team.

Louise Kyme - Design Manager

I started out at the BHF as an Art Worker and now I’m Design Manager! Working as a creative at the BHF is both exciting and challenging. The work we produce is cutting edge and we pride ourselves on constantly aiming higher. Add to that my colleagues are the loveliest and most talented group of people you could work with and it really makes for an inspiring atmosphere.

 

Kate Morris – Head of Group Finance

The BHF is a great place to work. I've personally been given the opportunity to contribute and make a positive change in the Finance Department which is really motivating. It’s also exciting to support and work with colleagues responsible for service delivery, as they are constantly coming up with new and innovative ideas. Our strong brand makes me proud to say I work here.

Rajiv Seda – Finance Officer

In my role as Reporting and Analysis Accountant I am able to support budget holders in the charity by providing them with analysis on income and expenditure. Working for the BHF has been a highlight of my career so far. I’ve been given the chance to progress and develop and I get great satisfaction from knowing that my work supports an organisation which really helps people. BHF is a fantastic and friendly environment to work in.

Donna Buxton – Evaluation Lead

As the Evaluation Lead, my role is to ensure there is robust research evidence readily available which clearly demonstrates the continual outcomes and impact BHF is having from its spend. My role also aims to encourage organisational insights and learning, sharing the findings from evaluations across teams so we can continually improve on our work. I have set up a UK-wide Charity Evaluation Working Group (ChEW) which is a network of Evaluation and Research Managers from across the sector.

 

 

Suzan Willing - Compensation & Benefits Officer

2011 marks the 20th anniversary of me joining the BHF, and for 20 years, and I have loved my job. When you hear the wonderful stories and get to meet the people our work helps, nothing comes close in motivating you to continue working at the BHF.

Rebecca Birs - Recruitment Manager

I'm responsible for the strategic planning, development and management of our recruitment service. I love what I do because everybody working here has the power to make a difference to our fight for every heartbeat but I also get to have a direct impact on the people that will continue to make that difference and drive the BHF's objectives forward, that's a huge privilege.

Tom Barton - Senior IT Project Manager

As Senior IT Project Manager I get to work on a wide variety of exciting and innovative projects that really make a difference to the foundation achieving its wider charitable objectives. It’s also a fun and inclusive working environment, so I get to make a difference and work somewhere I enjoy!