Our Trustees
MARCELLE SPELLER
Marcelle is the founder of both Localgiving and the Localgiving Foundation. Marcelle graduated with a BSc in Environmental Sciences from the University of East Anglia, before going on to gain more than 10 years experience within leading advertising agencies in London and Amsterdam. She has an MBA from INSEAD and has held various Director and Board-level marketing positions with several multinational companies.
In 1996, Marcelle co-founded Holiday-Rentals.com, Europe’s leading website for advertising private holiday homes. When the company was sold, she attended a workshop at the Institute for Philanthropy, and was inspired to found Localgiving.
In 2011, Marcelle was awarded an OBE for her services to the voluntary sector, in 2013 was awarded a Beacon Fellowship for Pioneering Philanthropy and was named Philanthropist of the Year at the Spear’s Wealth Management Awards. In 2014 she received an honorary DCL (Hons) from the University of East Anglia.
Marcelle is also a Director and Trustee of New Philanthropy Capital and a recognised spokesperson for TV, radio and print media for comment on philanthropy issues and how they affect small, local charities and community groups. She has contributed numerous essays and opinion pieces to major publications, including the Cabinet Office’s Giving Green Paper, The Times, The Guardian, Spear’s Magazine and The Economist.
Marcelle is the founder of both Localgiving and the Localgiving Foundation. Marcelle graduated with a BSc in Environmental Sciences from the University of East Anglia, before going on to gain more than 10 years experience within leading advertising agencies in London and Amsterdam. She has an MBA from INSEAD and has held various Director and Board-level marketing positions with several multinational companies.
In 1996, Marcelle co-founded Holiday-Rentals.com, Europe’s leading website for advertising private holiday homes. When the company was sold, she attended a workshop at the Institute for Philanthropy, and was inspired to found Localgiving.
In 2011, Marcelle was awarded an OBE for her services to the voluntary sector, in 2013 was awarded a Beacon Fellowship for Pioneering Philanthropy and was named Philanthropist of the Year at the Spear’s Wealth Management Awards. In 2014 she received an honorary DCL (Hons) from the University of East Anglia.
Marcelle is also a Director and Trustee of New Philanthropy Capital and a recognised spokesperson for TV, radio and print media for comment on philanthropy issues and how they affect small, local charities and community groups. She has contributed numerous essays and opinion pieces to major publications, including the Cabinet Office’s Giving Green Paper, The Times, The Guardian, Spear’s Magazine and The Economist.
SYLVIA BROWN
Holding both French and American passports, Sylvia has spent over thirty years working in various aspects of the non-profit sector. Following a BS in Economics from the Wharton School, and an MA in International Relations from UPenn, focusing on development economics, she spent a decade in New York advising emerging market countries on their foreign investment promotion. She then married a UNHCR official and spent the next six years in various war zones running income generating projects, then settled in London.
For the last 16 years, she has been advising non-profits on governance, strategy and sustainability. In 2014, she returned full time to the USA, and in 2015 founded 'Uplifting Journeys,' a donor education course on the basic elements of effective giving. In addition to the Localgiving Foundation, Sylvia sits on the boards of the Social Enterrprise Greenhouse and the John Carter Brown Library in Providence, Rhode Island.
Holding both French and American passports, Sylvia has spent over thirty years working in various aspects of the non-profit sector. Following a BS in Economics from the Wharton School, and an MA in International Relations from UPenn, focusing on development economics, she spent a decade in New York advising emerging market countries on their foreign investment promotion. She then married a UNHCR official and spent the next six years in various war zones running income generating projects, then settled in London.
For the last 16 years, she has been advising non-profits on governance, strategy and sustainability. In 2014, she returned full time to the USA, and in 2015 founded 'Uplifting Journeys,' a donor education course on the basic elements of effective giving. In addition to the Localgiving Foundation, Sylvia sits on the boards of the Social Enterrprise Greenhouse and the John Carter Brown Library in Providence, Rhode Island.
RICHARD COUNDLEY
Richard Coundley is an angel investor and internet entrepreneur, who co-founded Holiday-Rentals.com with Marcelle Speller.
With a degree in civil engineering from Bristol University, and an MBA from the London Business School, he's been a consulting engineer on projects around the world. At National Power,
Richard worked in major investment appraisal, overseas acquisitions and a review of the company’s overhead. He believes in using technology to open up new business opportunities and says his experience has taught him to “understand technology, think globally and rewrite the rules.” Richard is an instrument-rated private pilot and is currently engaged on a "Grand Designs" type project re-building his home in the New Forest.
Richard Coundley is an angel investor and internet entrepreneur, who co-founded Holiday-Rentals.com with Marcelle Speller.
With a degree in civil engineering from Bristol University, and an MBA from the London Business School, he's been a consulting engineer on projects around the world. At National Power,
Richard worked in major investment appraisal, overseas acquisitions and a review of the company’s overhead. He believes in using technology to open up new business opportunities and says his experience has taught him to “understand technology, think globally and rewrite the rules.” Richard is an instrument-rated private pilot and is currently engaged on a "Grand Designs" type project re-building his home in the New Forest.
KATHRIN DUNN
Kathrin Dunn graduated from Wellesley College in 2008 with a double major in Political Science and French. Prior to this she completed the International Baccalaureate at the United World College in Hong Kong and her GCSE's at St Paul's Girls' School in London.
Since graduating Kathrin has worked in the finance and accounting teams at ASDA, RBS, L'Oreal and Selfridges while becoming CIMA qualified. Kathrin is currently studying for an MBA at Hult International Business School. Kathrin's interest in charity began when she spent one month volunteering on an American Indian reservation in Montana when she was 15. She has been an active volunteer with the Junior League of London for the last 5 years.
Kathrin Dunn graduated from Wellesley College in 2008 with a double major in Political Science and French. Prior to this she completed the International Baccalaureate at the United World College in Hong Kong and her GCSE's at St Paul's Girls' School in London.
Since graduating Kathrin has worked in the finance and accounting teams at ASDA, RBS, L'Oreal and Selfridges while becoming CIMA qualified. Kathrin is currently studying for an MBA at Hult International Business School. Kathrin's interest in charity began when she spent one month volunteering on an American Indian reservation in Montana when she was 15. She has been an active volunteer with the Junior League of London for the last 5 years.
TRACEY REDDINGS
Tracey Reddings is a banker with 25 years experience operating in the private, public and charitable sectors. She is currently head of UK Private Banking, Business Leaders for JP Morgan International Private Bank. Formerly Head of UK Private Banking for Societe Generale Hambros Bank Ltd and Chief Executive of CAF Bank Ltd where she led it through a period of significant growth and change.
She has a strong track record and reputation for delivering innovations and building partnerships to create new business and brand value and in 2007 was awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise for Product Innovation. Tracey is a trustee for Prism the Gift Fund and Localgiving and Chairman of the British Bankers Association Private Banking Panel and Member of the CISI Ethics & Integrity Committee. She also holds an MBA, is a Chartered Director, Fellow of the Institute of Directors and Chartered Management Institute, a Freeman of the City of London and a member of the Worshipful Company of International Bankers.
Tracey Reddings is a banker with 25 years experience operating in the private, public and charitable sectors. She is currently head of UK Private Banking, Business Leaders for JP Morgan International Private Bank. Formerly Head of UK Private Banking for Societe Generale Hambros Bank Ltd and Chief Executive of CAF Bank Ltd where she led it through a period of significant growth and change.
She has a strong track record and reputation for delivering innovations and building partnerships to create new business and brand value and in 2007 was awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise for Product Innovation. Tracey is a trustee for Prism the Gift Fund and Localgiving and Chairman of the British Bankers Association Private Banking Panel and Member of the CISI Ethics & Integrity Committee. She also holds an MBA, is a Chartered Director, Fellow of the Institute of Directors and Chartered Management Institute, a Freeman of the City of London and a member of the Worshipful Company of International Bankers.
DAVID ROBINSON
David is a lawyer who advises individuals, trustees and charities. He was born in 1955, educated at Westminster School and took a degree in English at Pembroke College, Cambridge.
After qualifying as a solicitor in 1981 he joined Glover and Co, moving in 1985 to Frere Cholmeley (later Frere Cholmeley Bischoff) where he became a partner in 1989. He has been a partner at Forsters LLP in Mayfair since the firm's inception in 1998, serving as head of the private client group for fifteen years until 2013. He has many years' experience of acting as a trustee for families and charities.
David is married with three children, lives in West London and enjoys art, travel, music and collecting books.
David is a lawyer who advises individuals, trustees and charities. He was born in 1955, educated at Westminster School and took a degree in English at Pembroke College, Cambridge.
After qualifying as a solicitor in 1981 he joined Glover and Co, moving in 1985 to Frere Cholmeley (later Frere Cholmeley Bischoff) where he became a partner in 1989. He has been a partner at Forsters LLP in Mayfair since the firm's inception in 1998, serving as head of the private client group for fifteen years until 2013. He has many years' experience of acting as a trustee for families and charities.
David is married with three children, lives in West London and enjoys art, travel, music and collecting books.
