Stop Conflict. Save lives.
Peace Direct has nine core staff based in London.
Carolyn Hayman.
Chief Executive.
Carolyn co-founded Peace Direct and is now Chief Executive. After a career in DFID, the Cabinet Office and Venture Capital, she joined the Foyer Federation as Chief Executive in 1997. Over the next seven years she grew its turnover eightfold. She served as a Board member of the Commonwealth Development Corporation from 1994 to 1999 and in 2003 was awarded an OBE for services to young people. Contact: carolyn@peacedirect.org
Tom Gillhespy.
Head of International Programmes.
Tom Gillhespy spent several years working in Sri Lanka for Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), assessing the impact of landmines on conflict affected communities. After four years with NPA, which took him to Mozambique, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Jordan and Cambodia, he returned to the UK to study a Master’s in ‘Anthropology of Conflict, Violence and Conciliation’ at Sussex University, focusing on traditional approaches to re-integrating ex-combatants in Africa and ex Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. He returned to Sri Lanka in 2007, to manage community led projects on behalf of the UNHCR. Contact: tom@peacedirect.org
John Bainbridge.
International Programmes Officer
John joined Peace Direct in August 2009 and works predominantly within international programmes whilst also assisting with content on the IoC site. He graduated in 2008 with a degree in International Development and is currently juggling his work as Peace Direct with part-time studies at SOAS where he is doing an MSc in ‘Violence, Conflict and Development’. Contact: john@peacedirect.org
Robert Mathers.
Head of Finance and Systems.
Robert came to Peace Direct in May 2008. Robert qualified as an actuary, and has spent several years in various finance positions, working both in the UK and overseas. He is responsible for the financial and HR systems, administration and supports the Chief Executive in governance matters. Contact: robert@peacedirect.org
Helen Buxton.
Individual Giving & Website Manager.
Helen joined Peace Direct in August 2009. Helen was previously working as a digital fundraiser for the NSPCC, working on a variety of projects such as using social media channels to attract and engage with supporters. She graduated from the University of Kent in 2005 with a degree in Social Anthropology. Helen looks after the website and manages all aspects of Individual Giving. Contact: helen@peacedirect.org
Roderick Cobley.
Fundraising Assistant.
Roderick joined Peace Direct in July 2008. After gaining a degree in Political Science & Social Policy, Roderick went on to obtain a D.Phil, writing his thesis on International Relations. He has since worked for charities such as CND, Unlock Democracy and the Multiple Sclerosis Society in Northern Ireland. Roderick identifies trusts and funds which may support PD’s work and prepares bids to them. Contact: roderick@peacedirect.org
Ruairi Nolan.
Insight on Conflict Project Manager.
Ruairi joined Peace Direct in June 2009 from an international volunteering charity. He has an MSc in Latin American Studies and has worked for 2 years in rural development in Central America, and also at Irish Aid and the UNESCO Centre at the University of Ulster. Ruairi works on Peace Direct’s ‘Insight on Conflict’ website.
Joel Gabri
Database and Supporter Assistant.
Joel joined Peace Direct in July 2009. He graduated from London Met in 2008 with a degree in Peace & Conflict studies and Politics, focusing on how the internet can be used to promote and aid conflict resolution. Joel provides support across the organisation, working on IoC, contacting our supporters and overseeing our web analytics. Contact: Joel@peacedirect.org
