Meet Our team
Everyday we’re working to end homelessness
At HARP, around 160 passionate, caring staff support nearly 1,000 people experiencing homelessness each year, with help from almost 200 regular volunteers including our Board of Trustees, who contribute in shops, catering, fundraising, and activities. The Executive Management Team works closely with the Board to keep everything running smoothly.
Our Leadership Team
Chief Executive
Vanessa joined HARP as CEO in July 2022. She brings over 30 years’ experience working alongside people facing homelessness. Before HARP, she led operations, young people’s services, and recovery support at Single Homeless Project, one of London’s largest homelessness charities. She is focused on building the right support so people can move forward in a way that works for them.
Favourite thing about HARP
What I love about HARP is that it feels safe in a way that’s hard to describe until you experience it. We don’t push people before they’re ready, we stay alongside them, through the messy bits as well as the good bits. There’s no one-size-fits-all, we understand people’s struggles and work with them in a way that builds on their strengths. HARP is real, human support, thoughtful, consistent, and grounded in trust. We hold people until they’re ready to take their next step, not when the system says they should. And honestly, if I ever found myself homeless, I’d want HARP in my corner and that makes me feel proud to work here.
Jacqueline Saxby
Executive Director of Finance & HR
Jacqueline has led our Finance and HR teams since 2018. She’s a qualified accountant with experience across private companies, start-ups, legal firms, and charities. Her background helps keep our work financially strong and sustainable.
Executive Director of Operations
Sam joined HARP in August 2025 to lead our service operations. She has nearly 30 years’ experience in homelessness services and joined us from St Mungo’s, where she was Head of Criminal Justice Services. Sam was awarded an MBE in recognition of her work in this field in 2025.
Favourite thing about HARP
What I love most about HARP is its sense of possibility. Before I joined, I was told it’s a place where if you can dream it, you can make it happen, in practice, this means we understand the need and are innovative and creative in finding solutions. Our new head office is already making a difference, and the ground floor space is being developed as a vibrant community hub where people can learn skills in hospitality while creating a welcoming space for staff, service users, and the wider community. There’s a real culture of ambition and continuous growth here, which makes HARP an inspiring place to be.
Executive Director of Property Development
Nicky has been a Trustee at HARP since 2007 and joined as an Executive Director in 2008. She is a Chartered Accountant with nearly 40 years’ experience, mainly in the property sector. Nicky played an important role in developing the Bradbury Centre and continues to support our work through her financial expertise and flair for building and renovating amazing properties.
Favourite thing about HARP
HARP is the family you wish you had; it wraps its arms around you and does its best to keep you safe. It doesn’t judge, it looks for the good and potential in everyone and will always look for a way to say yes.
Executive Director of Communications & Fundraising
Agata joined HARP in December 2023 and leads our fundraising, communications, charity shops, and volunteering teams. She brings over 16 years’ experience across fundraising, marketing, and communications, having worked with housing associations and charities including Origin Housing, Groundwork London, and Single Homeless Project.
Favourite thing about HARP
What I love most about HARP is knowing that what we do makes a real difference. We’re here every day, supporting people to move forward and rebuild their lives. But it’s also the people I work with. There’s a real sense of teamwork here — people who care, who show up for each other, and who are genuinely committed to making things better for our community.
Our Trustees
Michael Raffan
Michael is Chair of Trustees at HARP, bringing extensive legal expertise from his role as a solicitor and partner at Freshfields, where he specialises in financial services regulation. He is also a Trustee of Havens Hospices, reflecting his wider commitment to supporting people in his community. Michael was motivated to join HARP by the scale of homelessness and a long-standing admiration for the charity’s work, and is committed to supporting its mission to provide housing, advice and practical support to people experiencing homelessness.
Ann Clark
Ann has a professional background in business resilience and risk, with experience in operational resilience and crisis management across complex organisations. She is a trustee at HARP, contributing expertise in governance, risk management and organisational oversight
Iain Campbell
Iain joined HARP as a Trustee following his retirement, bringing a background in business and general management within the aerospace engineering sector. He chairs the Personnel Subcommittee and is a member of the Service Operations Subcommittee, using his experience to support the organisation’s people and services. Iain was drawn to HARP by its valuable work in the local community and is committed to contributing his skills to help strengthen and grow its impact.
Lilias (Mac) Felton
Mac is one of HARP’s original Trustees and has been involved with the charity since its earliest days. She currently chairs the Operations Subcommittee and contributes to the People, Governance and Premises Subcommittees, supporting the organisation across a range of areas. Mac was first introduced to HARP during her time as a ward councillor, where she recognised the need for local homelessness support. She remains deeply committed to HARP’s work, which she sees as an extension of her family.
Mike Nevin
Mike joined HARP as a Trustee following his retirement, bringing valuable business experience to support a growing local charity. He chairs the Premises Subcommittee and contributes to the Governance and Finance subcommittees, drawing on a career as a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in finance, management and governance. Mike is committed to strengthening HARP’s foundations so it can continue to grow and meet increasing demand for its services.
Dr. Haroon Siddique
Haroon is the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Working Group. He is a GP Partner at Thorpe Bay Surgery and Southend Medical Centre, as well as the Clinical Lead for Southend Integrated Healthcare for the Homeless (SIHH). He is also an Honorary Fellow of the Faculty for Homelessness and Inclusion.
Helen McDonald
Helen is the founder of Helenore and a trained advocate and psychotherapist, with extensive experience supporting people who have experienced trauma. She brings specialist knowledge in gender-informed practice and works to ensure services are safe, inclusive and responsive to women who have experienced multiple disadvantages. Helen was drawn to HARP by its commitment to gender-informed support and is passionate about strengthening services that provide dignity, safety and understanding.
Peter Thorn
Peter is a founder of HARP and one of its inaugural Trustees, with over 30 years’ commitment to supporting people experiencing homelessness. He continues to play an active role through the Fundraising Subcommittee, drawing on a long career in banking and 19 years as a School Bursar. Peter is driven by a belief that everyone deserves support during life’s toughest moments, and values HARP’s role as a compassionate, non-judgemental safety net.
Ian Martin
Ian is an experienced Executive Leader, Non-Executive Director and Executive Coach, with over 30 years’ experience in social housing. He was previously Chief Executive of Estuary Housing Association and a Board Member at the National Housing Federation. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing and holds an Executive MBA from Hertfordshire Business School. Ian chairs the Property Committee and is a member of the Governance Committee, bringing his housing expertise to support and strengthen HARP’s work in the community.
Joanne Tierney
Joanne is a HR professional with over 20 years of experience gained within a variety of industries, including further education, membership services and banking. She is currently employed as Head of People and Culture within an Essex based construction company.
Alex Brown
Alex serves on the Finance Committee as well as the Fundraising & Communications Committee. With a career spanning the Advertising & Communications sector, across both PLCs and start-ups, he brings a wealth of experience in scaling businesses and helping organisations grow.