Leads the Crisis Commerce & Enterprise team and manages its existing business portfolio. Is responsible for the development of the entrepreneurship and innovation culture within the charity and the creation of new ventures to end homelessness. She previously worked with deep tech and science startups at Imperial College London. Whilst there she founded its successful women's entrepreneurship programme 'WE Innovate' and has spoken on her experience of increasing diversity and inclusion in tech internationally including at the World Economic Forum.
Sarah Hopley
Head of Venture Studio
Sarah Hopley
Head of Venture Studio She/Her
"I initially joined the Venture Studio as a Venture Builder during my social innovation fellowship with Year Here. In that time, I have been developing housing-led solutions to homelessness as potential internal ventures and have been leading the growth programme for our investment portfolio. I have recently taken on the role of Commercial Partnership Lead and am most excited about how we embed intrapreneurship more widely within Crisis, and how we build inspiring strategic partnerships that will ensure we realise our mission to end homelessness through entrepreneurship."
"Before starting as Venture Analyst at Crisis, I began my professional career as an analyst in traditional corporate and investment banking in emerging markets before transitioning into working in the field of impact investing. Currently, I lead the investment analysis and diligence processes for prospective portfolio companies. I am particularly passionate about ideas and organisations which can foster community and tackle the complex challenges of our time."
Sam is a skilled digital marketer who excels at connecting people to solve problems and make a difference. She is able to think strategically as well as bringing a tactical “get it done” approach to all that she does. She combines a love of all things digital and tech with 17 years’ experience in web, social, search engine optimisation and analytics.
Kevin is a social innovation specialist with strategic and on the ground experience in social impact. He is highly skilled in project management, project design and communications. Previous roles include the social impact consultant for SLR Consulting, co-founder of Spedal, a social start up reimagining the gig economy as a force for good and a programme manager for What Works Community, the Centre for Homelessness Impact.
Adwoa is the Venture Fundraising and Partnerships Lead. Prior to this role Adwoa was the driving force behind DWIRA, a Ghanaian skin and wellness brand that merges traditional African botanicals with modern science, and BYOT Studios, a platform dedicated to amplifying stories from Africa and its diaspora on a global scale.
Her role as the Venture Fundraising and Partnerships Lead is characterised by a deep commitment to fostering innovation and securing vital funding for ventures with significant social impact. Before stepping into the entrepreneurial and social impact sectors, Adwoa contributed her expertise to combating homelessness, working with St Mungo’s to develop impactful strategies to support vulnerable communities and end homelessness.
Our advisors
Click on the images below to find out more about our advisors
Chenelle is passionate and fully committed to ensuring diverse founders get access to capital and development that they need to grow. In her role as Head of Cornerstone Partners, Angel Investment Syndicate whose mission is to focus on investing in founders from Black and diverse backgrounds in the U.K., Chenelle ensures that they are leading the charge in investing in founders from Black and diverse backgrounds.
Ezechi Britton MBE
Ezechi Britton MBE
CEO, CFIT (Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology)
A serial entrepreneur in banking, fintech and capital markets, Ez’s journey has taken him from Software Developer to Co-Founder and CTO to Venture Capital. Now, CEO of CFIT the Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology, an industry body backed by the UK Treasury and the City of London with a mission to unblock the barriers to growth for financial technology by bringing together the best minds from across the UK to drive better outcomes for consumers and SMEs.
In 2022, Ez received an MBE for services to Diversity and to Young people.
Savitri is a former startup operator, angel investor in early stage startups, and currently works at Isomer Capital, investing in early stage venture capital groups in Europe and later stage growth companies. She is particularly passionate about creating a more inclusive society and funding products and services that address, and close, equality gaps.
James has an international background in professional services and joined the Aztec Group in 2020 from leading global real estate firm JLL, where he held senior roles including Head of Consulting and Head of Marketing, Sales and Business Development for the UK. Prior to this he worked with PwC in roles across the UK and Australia.
Frequently featured for her research and inventions in The Financial Times, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Quartz and the New York Times, Dr. Vivienne Ming is a theoretical neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author. She co-founded Socos Labs, her fifth company, an independent institute exploring the future of human potential. In her free time, Vivienne has invented AI systems to help treat her diabetic son, predict manic episodes in bipolar sufferers weeks in advance, and reunite orphan refugees with extended family members.
Sue is a highly motivated and empathic business leader with a strong track record of growing businesses with a combination of purpose and pragmatism. A global citizen having lived and been educated in multiple countries including Pakistan, Belgium, U.S, UK and France, creating a strong foundation of empathy for cultural differences from an early age.
Tim West
Tim West
Partner and Alternative Investments Leader with Ernst & Young LLP
Tim is a Partner with Ernst & Young LLP United Kingdom in London and is the UK Wealth & Asset Management Alternative Investments Leader. He has over 30 years of industry experience, having previously held CEO and COO roles in global asset managers including Venture Capital - working in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific. He has held a number of Director roles on company and fund boards in the UK and around the world.
Amina is an angel investor at Ada Ventures, the inclusive venture firm. They find and fund extraordinary talent building breakthrough ideas for the hardest problems we face, investing in UK technology companies across climate, economic empowerment and healthcare & ageing. She is a also a NED for Social Investment business.
Clare Ashley
Clare Ashley
Managing Director, Office of the CAO at Goldman Sachs
Clare is a member of the Corporate Planning and Management division, where she manages a firmwide strategic regulatory program that require cross-divisional collaboration. She is a member of the Regional New Activity Committee in EMEA. Clare also serves as the firs regional co-head of the EMEA Firmwide Black Network. She joined Goldman Sachs in 2010 as an associate and was named managing director in 2021.
