Meet the team

The Spinnaker team consists of a passionate and diverse group of around 60 staff, volunteers and trustees, working together in London and the South East of England to fulfill the Spinnaker mission.

Backing up our dedicated schools team, the office team are hands-on with the finance, admin, communciations, HR, IT, data-management and so much more. They are every bit as passionate about schoolswork as the rest of the team. In fact many of them, at one time or another, will be found in schools delivering assemblies, lessons or generally helping out.

You can get to know some of the team leaders and key workers by clicking below:

Team

Mike Harrowing

Mike Harrowing

Caroline Allen

Caroline Allen

Gill Ashley-Smith

Gill Ashley-Smith

Katie Burtonshaw

Katie Burtonshaw

Cathy Ellis

Cathy
Ellis

Heather Hawthorne

Heather Hawthorne

Claire Holl

Claire
Holl

Rachel Swaby

Rachel Swaby

Glenis Ruston

Glenis Ruston

Kim Woodley

Kim Woodley

Sam Oakes

Sam
Oakes

Caroline Rous

Caroline Rous

The Trustees

The Trustees

  • Mike Harrowing
  • Caroline Allen
  • Gill Ashley-Smith
  • Katie Burtonshaw
  • Cathy Ellis
  • Heather Hawthorne
  • Claire Holl
  • Rachel Swaby
  • Glenis Ruston
  • Kim Woodley
  • Sam Oakes
  • Caroline Rous
  • The Trustees

  • Mike Harrowing

    CEO

    I really am so pleased to be joining Spinnaker and becoming a part of this fantastic ongoing outreach work to children across the South-East. I come from West Kent where I have been visiting schools for 15 years.  My passion has always been that all children have the opportunity to discover what Christians believe about the Gospel and to encounter Jesus. I am looking forward to seeing this expressed Spinnaker-style! My own children are about to start their school lives and my prayer for them is the same for every school-child: That they experience what St. Paul experienced when he wrote to the Romans “the Holy Spirit that was given to us has flooded our hearts with love” (ch5v5) This is an exciting chapter for Spinnaker, and it is abundantly clear that everyone involved is more invigorated than ever to plant the seeds of God’s Kingdom in the lives of so many thousands of young people.

  • Caroline Allen

    Central Operations

    My work for Spinnaker allows me a unique and inspiring perspective of our operation: From the generosity of the supporters to the smiles of the children. From the warmth, passion and energy as assemblies are delivered to the dedication and excellence in their preparation. From the strength and support of the Trustees to the excitement of new hits on the website – all of this, and more, is my personal view of Spinnaker. Best of all is working with a loving, faith filled, caring team.

  • Gill Ashley-Smith

    Administrator

    As I open the post in the Spinnaker office, it is really encouraging when we receive a grant from a trust, or a donation from a church or a supporter, sometimes with a warm note of encouragement to respond to and thank them. We do value our friends who give and pray for our work in schools. It is also very satisfying when the Review magazine is finally ready and on its way, with the valuable help of a team of volunteers to get it mailed out.

  • Katie Burtonshaw

    Schools Team Manager

    I feel a buzz of excitement as I visit primary schools for Spinnaker. Seeing the welcoming, smiling faces of the children and staff as I lead their collective worship is always a joy and privilege. Having built up trustworthy relationships over the years, hands spring up eagerly as I ask for volunteers to take part in drama, responding to questions or simply helping to hold things up and I never cease to be amazed at how well the children remember bible stories told to them in previous weeks. I love interacting with the children in fun, creative and engaging ways, passionately sharing my Christian faith and making it real, hoping to inspire children to find out more for themselves.

  • Cathy
    Ellis

    Epsom Hub Leader

    Working as a Hub Leader for The Spinnaker Trust is, without doubt one of the most exciting, challenging and rewarding things I have done with my life so far.

    I love working with individual children and groups of primary aged children. I love working with my team in Epsom; a group of such committed, loving, hardworking and gifted people. I love working with the teachers, and the relationships we are forming with them. I love that we can be a blessing to them in so many ways. I love that that we are involved with such a vital part of being the church – out there in our state education system!

    Engaging, Inspiring, Equipping – I love it all!

  • Heather Hawthorne

    R.E. Specialist

    It is such a privilege to go into classrooms and help schools with their Religious Education. I really enjoy working with all the different teachers and children. The children are always so enthusiastic and excited to hear stories from the bible and to talk about what they believe and they ask such wonderful and challenging questions.

  • Claire
    Holl

    Team Operations

    I love being involved in all our hubs, particularly as I get to spend time with our amazing team and see the many activities they are involved in at various schools.  It is a joy to see their enthusiasm and creativity as they work to inspire and engage both children and teachers.  We also connect with many churches and it is a privilege to share the Spinnaker vision at various meetings and encourage people to get involved and support what we do.

  • Rachel Swaby

    Schools Team Manager

    I am thrilled that as School Team Manager, I will have the opportunity to educate, develop and inspire many through the unique service we provide in our state schools. As well as educating children through RE lessons and the wonderful Bible stories that are shared through our assemblies, I believe that building relationships and supporting staff involved in education is just as important.

    I am always amazed at how much children remember from their assembly experiences. Not only just the stories, but the themes behind the stories as well.

  • Glenis Ruston

    Training Manager

    As an organisation working with children in school we are committed to ensuring that we do the best job we can. For many years we have run induction training for new staff and regular termly training for everyone. This includes skills, education issues, theological understanding and personal development. My role for the last few years has been to plan and co-ordinate that alongside Clare and the Spinnaker management team.

  • Kim Woodley

    Worthing Hub Leader

    It is so exciting to be invited into schools and to play a small part in introducing Christianity to young children. Building a relationship with the schools so that they are able to share their joys and worries is a real privilege. I am passionate about the education and care of youngsters and I believe that helping a child’s spiritual awareness by sowing small seeds of understanding will, with God’s grace, grow and develop and stay with these children for life.

  • Sam
    Oakes

    Eastbourne Co-Hub Leader

    For me, leading assemblies, providing support in teaching RE and seeking to be a welcome face in what can be a very pressured work environment is not only a privilege but also an essential part of the church’s mission and engagement with our communities. I believe that working with our supporters in continuing to provide and expand this valued and vital service in schools is an incredible way to reach out and impact countless children and families.

  • Caroline Rous

    Orpington Hub Leader

    I love having the opportunity that Spinnaker gives of being welcomed into schools, to share God's love with children and adults, who may never hear about Him otherwise. I love that the collective worship material is a brilliant, thoughtful and fun way of bringing teaching God and the Bible in to children's lives. I love seeing children so engaged and excited when they see it's a Spinnaker assembly, and it's so rewarding when a child (or adult) says thank you or that they enjoyed the assembly. I hope that we can continue to bring that excitement to more children in more schools. I still get nervous before standing up but I know I'm not on my own and God will see me through!

  • The Trustees

    Our dedicated band of Trustees meet 5 times a year but are always on hand for consultation, advice and strategic planning. They believe passionately in the vision and the team that delivers it. They watch over us with wisdom and compassion to ensure the Spinnaker goals are met.

    Chig Gough, pictured here, is one of our longest serving Trustees. When asked about his involvement he told us: 'I'm thrilled to have been involved in the development of Spinnaker over the last 22 years and I look forward to see us continuing to share the Christian message with another generation'.

  • Mike Harrowing
  • Caroline Allen
  • Gill Ashley-Smith
  • Katie Burtonshaw
  • Cathy Ellis
  • Heather Hawthorne
  • Claire Holl
  • Rachel Swaby
  • Glenis Ruston
  • Kim Woodley
  • Sam Oakes
  • Caroline Rous
  • The Trustees