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Judge

Becca Caddy, Journalist and Author

Becca Caddy is a freelance technology journalist, writing for publications like TechRadar, New Scientist, and Stylist. She specialises in covering how technology shapes our daily lives, from wearables to digital wellbeing. In 2021, she published Screen Time, a book exploring how we can build a healthier relationship with our devices. Becca focuses on innovations that improve wellbeing, productivity, and the way we connect with the world.

Judge

Berkeley Wilde, Founder and Chief Executive

Berkeley has been working as an Equality, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consultant, researcher and trainer for nearly three decades. He is the Founder and CEO of the Diversity Trust. He is passionate about community cohesion and community development, empowerment and leadership, as well as social change. Berkeley’s leadership is anchored in fostering an environment where equality and diversity are not just ideals, but everyday practice.

Judge

Bertie Heppel, Associate Director, Meridian West

Since joining Meridian West in 2021 Bertie has managed dozens of projects, providing strategic, research-led advice to firms on a variety of topics, from market strategy, to brand positioning, to client strategy. His clients include PwC, JLL, Addleshaw Goddard, Womble Bond Dickinson, Withers, BNP Paribas, BDO Global, and the Charity Retail Association - for whom he is the author of the CRA’s Quarterly Market Analysis reports.

Judge

Charlotte Witteridge, Consultant, Charlotte Witteridge Consultancy

Charlotte brings over 19 years experience of involving volunteers across the charity sector, having worked for organisations such as Sense, The Myton Hospices, and Macmillan Cancer Support in senior leadership roles. In these roles, Charlotte has been responsible for developing volunteering in direct services, fundraising and charity retail. Charlotte is also vice chair of trustees for Bliss and a non-exec director for the Association of Volunteer Managers (AVM). Using her experience of developing and implementing volunteering strategy and building high-performing teams, she is a trainer, facilitator and consultant specialising in the development of those who manage and work with volunteers.

Judge

Dan O'Driscoll, Founder, Engagement Consultancy

Dan brings over 19 years of experience in the charity, commercial, and higher education sectors. As a consultant he has worked extensively with charities supporting them with consultancy projects focusing on their volunteering programmes, policies and practices. As a qualified executive coach, Dan has a deep passion in unlocking people’s potential. As an experienced facilitator Dan runs workshops and away days focusing on leadership development. Prior to this Dan worked for Oxfam as Head of Volunteering and Engagement where he set the tone and strategic direction for how the organisation worked with and engaged with volunteers.

Judge

David Cryer

I have recently retired following a 50-year career in retailing. As an executive with Marks & Spencer, I helped to develop the Simply Foods chain of shops. In charity retailing, I developed a network of shops for Helen & Douglas House, and for Shelter I developed a chain of Boutique shops. I have also been a visiting lecturer in retail at Surrey University. Previous voluntary roles have included Chair of the Board of the Charity Retail Association.

Judge

Deborah St. Louis, Director, Fashions Finest

A leading platform dedicated to supporting emerging UK and international designers, under Deborah's leadership, Fashions Finest has become known for showcasing diverse talent, particularly from underrepresented communities, through high-profile fashion events, including during London Fashion Week. The platform provides a vital space for independent designers to gain visibility and industry recognition. Her work has earned Fashions Finest accolades such as the Best Independent Fashion Event Platform 2020. Beyond events, she actively mentors aspiring designers, helping them navigate the fashion industry and build sustainable careers.

Judge

Debra Allcock Tyler, Chief Executive Officer, Directory of Social Change

Debra has worked in the charitable and voluntary sector for nearly 40 years with brief forays into the private sector. Amongst numerous other roles, she is Co-Chair of the Soldiering on Awards. She is a Trustee of In Kind Direct, one of the Prince's Foundation Charities, a governor of the Berkshire NHS Community Foundation Trust, a Commissioner on the Local News Commission of the Public Interest News Foundation, and is an Africa Advocacy Foundation Ambassador for women and girls at risk of or affected by Female Genital Mutilation.

Judge

Denise Hayward, Chief Executive, Volunteer Now

Denise has been Chief Executive with Volunteer Now since August 2017 and prior to that Director of Engagement since 2010. She has extensive experience in supporting volunteer involvement. She has wide ranging expertise in public and organisational volunteering policy development, volunteering research and supporting good practice in volunteering. She is experienced in third sector governance issues through many years working at a senior level in the voluntary and community sector. Denise is an active volunteer for Portadown YMCA, Armagh Rural Transport and Belfast Central Mission.

Judge

Donna Mitchell, Account Manager, Retail Trust

Donna Mitchell is an enthusiastic Account Manager at Retail Trust, spreading positivity and wellbeing for the past 19 months. Donna’s mission? To empower Retail Trust’s Partners with all things Wellbeing, ensuring they champion the amazing content and support. Together, we’re making sure every colleague feels supported and never misses out on the good vibes Retail Trust provide!

Judge

Fiona Condron, National Head of Charities, BDO

Fiona is an Audit Partner, Head of Charities at BDO and Vice Chair of the ICAEW Charities and Voluntary Sector Committee. She is passionate about providing high quality external audit to many of the leading charities and social enterprises in the UK. She spent the first decade of my career with a Big 4 firm which was a fantastic grounding in a wide range of skills and experience. Her experience of the third sector extends across two decades.

Judge

James Lowman, Chief Executive, Association of Convenience Stores

James has led ACS on political and policy representation and driven a unique research programme that informs ACS’ policy work. James is a member of ministerial advisory groups including the National Retail Crime Steering Group and the Retail Sector Council. He also sits on the boards of Community Alcohol Partnerships, the Proof of Age Standards Scheme and the London Food Board, and is a sector leader representative to the High Streets Task Force.

Judge

Jane Ide, CEO, ACEVO

Jane joined ACEVO in May 2022, and previously headed up Creative and Cultural Skills, working to create fair and inclusive opportunities within the creative and cultural sectors. Before that, she spent four years as CEO of NAVCA, where she led the transformation of the national membership body for local voluntary sector infrastructure organisations in England.  She has leadership and communications experience in both the voluntary and public sectors and a strong commitment to delivering a valuable and impactful experience for members.

Judge

Kat Maclennan, Consultant, The Charity Retail Consultancy

Kat Maclennan collaborates with charities to create engaging retail experiences, balancing commercial and creative decisions to maximise sales. Passionate about charity retail, Kat is experienced in the development of VM principles, store planning strategies, window design ideas and facilitating interactive VM workshops for retail teams providing them the tools and confidence to implement new ideas in their shops.

Judge

Marcus Bowen, Capability Development Lead, VCS Emergencies Partnership

Marcus is experienced in working across differing roles in the charity sector, but always with a focus on advocacy and equality. As Capability Development Lead in the EP he creates space and convening organisations from across the voluntary, community and faith sector to connect community expertise with emergency response and build collective knowledge so that, in times of crisis, we put people at the heart, from the start.

Judge

Mary Corfield, Head of Operations & Campaigns Delivery, The Climate Coalition

Mary has been bringing people together for more than twenty years, because she knows brilliant things are possible when we work in unity. Currently delivering the flagship Great Big Green Week, she works with partners nationwide to inspire and engage.

Judge

Ngozi Lyn Cole, Lyn Cole Consultancy

Ngozi Lyn Cole believes that everyone has the passion and potential to achieve their ambition and sees her ‘why’ as supporting individuals and organisations to do just that. A self-employed executive coach and leadership catalyst, Ngozi holds non-executive posts including Chair of the North East Justice Together Initiative and Board Vice Chair at the South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.

Judge

Nicola Lynch, Social Value consultant & Impact Management Specialist

Nicola works closely with Social Value International and member networks in the UK & Ireland. She is one of approximately 15 Level 3 Advanced Practitioners and 4 Accredited Trainers in the UK as accredited by Social Value International. Nicola also holds Associate Trainer roles with the School for Social Entrepreneurs and the New Economics Foundation and she is a Senior Associate (Social Value) with Civil Society Consulting CIC.

Judge

Omer Soker, CEO, Charitable Reuse Australia

Charitable Reuse Australia is the only trade association representing the interests of charity retailers in Australia. With 80 member enterprises and 3,000 shops, the sector raises A$961 million a year for social good while diverting over a million tonnes of household items for reuse and saving 880,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.

Judge

Ruth Leonard, Chair, Association of Volunteer Managers

Ruth Leonard is Chair of the UK’s Association of Volunteer Managers who has held Head of Volunteering posts at UK wide charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support and Samaritans. She is a frequent public speaker, appearing on podcasts and chairing conferences and is the co-author of a recently published book on Volunteer Involvement: an Introduction to Theory and Practice.

Judge

Swami Bala, Founder and CEO, Sweet Potato Tec

Sweet Potato Tec is a consulting firm specialising in helping non-profit, event and media companies unlock the full potential of their CRM, data and AI. With over two decades of experience in digital transformation, CRM, data and AI strategy, Swami has led impactful projects that drive commercial value and customer engagement. Passionate about technology’s role in social impact, Swami is honoured to serve as a judge for the Charity Retail Association’s Technology Award, recognizing innovative solutions that empower charities to thrive in the digital age.