Sophie has worked for over 30 years in senior marketing, communications and fundraising roles across the charitable, education and arts sectors, most recently with The Story Museum in Oxford before joining First Story in February 2025. As a lifelong believer in the power of words, Sophie particularly enjoys finding ways to share the impact that creative writing and reading has on individual lives.

Bethan leads the delivery and development of First Story programmes. She has a background in leadership and management in non-profit organisations. A former English teacher with a love of literature and writing, she is driven by a career long focus on creating equality of opportunity for young people.

Ruth joined First Story in 2024 from the children’s literacy charity Doorstep Library. With over 15 years of experience in fundraising, including roles at Little Angel Theatre, Chickenshead Theatre, and the Almeida Theatre, Ruth is passionate about removing barriers to access the arts and the importance of storytelling.

Anithra joined First Story in 2022 to support First Story’s operations. After studying costume and theatre, she graduated with a Masters in Publishing. Passionate about creative writing, she hopes to see more underrepresented artists, writers and communities at the forefront of publishing.

Annette joined First Story in 2023 from Theatre Peckham. She has also worked for the Royal Society of Literature and the writer development charity Spread the Word. Annette is on the Advisory Board of Words of Colour and is a playwright.

Emma supports our programmes across the London Region. After a long career in retail, in 2015 Emma moved into the charitable sector. Passionate about young people having the opportunity to thrive and enjoy life, she has worked for Coram Beanstalk and The National School Breakfast Programme before joining First Story in 2020.

Alice supports our programmes in London. She joined First Story in 2023 with a background in arts marketing and administration. She is also a writer and fine artist.

Sairish supports our programmes in the Yorkshire region. She is a novelist and former Lecturer in Creative Writing. She taught at the University of Huddersfield after completing her PhD in 2019. Sairish first joined First Story as a Writer-in-Residence in 2022 before transitioning to Programme & Partnerships Manager in 2025. She is passionate about underrepresented voices and making the arts inclusive for all. 

Pippa supports our programmes in the East Midlands, with a focus on writer development. Formerly in IT, in 2008 she discovered a passion for writing which she enthusiastically shares with everyone around her. She is determined to give as many young people as possible the opportunity to write, having seen the difference it makes to their confidence, prospects and enjoyment of life. 

Ed is our Chair of Trustees and has provided pro bono legal advice to us since we started.  Ed is a partner at Simkins LLP, focussing on entertainment, and a published author of legal works.  Ed has a lifelong interest in creativity, before becoming a solicitor, he was a music producer, winning a MOBO award and producing several platinum records.

Sue’s commitment to young people and creative writing began early in her career as an English teacher and continued through to her last post as Director of Curriculum for England. The power of words to change lives inspires her longstanding commitment to First Story. Sue is also on the board of Coventry University and a charity in Rwanda.

Sarah has spent her career as a consultant for McKinsey and Company and then in asset management as an analyst specialising in consumer and retail equities.  She is also a founder trustee and Chair of Finance of the Wandle Learning Trust, a newly formed growing Multi Academy Trust in South London containing both primary and secondary schools.

Bobby is Programme Manager at Spread the Word, London’s writer development agency. He has been working in the literature sector for over 15 years, as a publisher, writer and creative practitioner. He is passionate about diversifying the pool of writers who become published authors and advocating for change in the publishing industry.

Gerry is Executive Headteacher of Haringey Learning Partnership (HLP), a network of alternative provision schools. Prior to moving into alternative provision, Gerry was headteacher of a local mainstream secondary school. Gerry is an activist who is committed to tackling social injustice through inclusive education. Gerry is a Collective Ed Fellow, member of the LGBTEd Advisory Board, a regular contributor to Schools Week and part of the Alternative Provision Research Network Steering Board.

Carey Scott works in structured finance and has spent her career in the finance sector in a variety of roles from finance to treasury to trading, and is a qualified chartered accountant. 
 
A strong believer in diversity, equity and inclusion, Carey is passionate about First Story’s vision to help young people reach their full potential, and is proud to contribute her financial acumen to help others access and enjoy literature