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Trustees

Overview:

Re~Cycle is a charity and the trustees are responsible for the direction of the charity and ensuring that funds are spent in line with its charitable objects.

Meet quarterly in central London.

 

Trustees:

 

Andy Brown

Having studied chemistry at Imperial College, I qualified as a secondary school teacher in the UK, before spending 4 years as a VSO volunteer teaching science and training teachers in Namibia. I studied for an MA in International Development in London before joining Kaloko Trust, a small international development NGO working in Zambia (see www.kalokotrust.org). I spent 4 years running their (small) UK office before becoming Director and moving to Zambia, where I was based from early 2004 to mid 2007. Have also travelled widely through Southern Africa.

Andy Brown and Re~Cycle:

Have known of Re~Cycle for 7+ years – Kaloko Zambia having received a container of bikes from Re~Cycle. Have extensive first-hand experience of the need for appropriate transport and I am strong believer in Re~Cycle’s philosophy and approach. Like David I believe there is a huge potential for Re~Cycle – lack of access to transport is an issue that very few local or international organisations are working to address – and would like to help it achieve this.


David Gettman (chairperson)

Raised and educated in USA, degree in philosophy from University of California at Santa Cruz. Planned to go into medicine or medical research, but ditched idea after disgust at animal testing. Varied work-life, ranging from corporate communications to book publishing to software development. At McKinsey, a management consultancy, works on innovation and creativity, and sometime on pro-bono work for charities and cultural institutions – very pleased to have met Merlin and to be helping Re~Cycle. No driving licence, uses mainly public transport.

David and Re~Cycle:

Strong believer in ‘appropriate technology’ (à la E F Schumacher). Sees huge potential to scale-up Re~Cycle operations and then replicate across the UK and maybe abroad. Also would like to see pro-active links to microfinance – e.g., combine small capital loans for entrepreneurs with access to innovative pedal-powered equipment.

 

 

 

Merlin Matthews

Studied management at the LSE, thinking of doing the “city slicker” thing, abandoned after discovering some of the short-term greedy craziness in the global business.

Became Dr Bike at the LSE, which lead to Re~Cycle - History

Involved in the anti-road protest movement, tree village, Swampy etc.

Attended the SSE (School for Social Entrepreneurs) to help grow Re~Cycle, where he met David Gettman.

Keen cyclist as form of transport, believes bike and train is a great combination - does not own a car.


Merlin and Re~Cycle:

Passionate about Re~Cycle and its ability to impact people’s lives.

Want to scale Re~Cycle up, in increase numbers of people benefiting and reduce waste of bikes.

Very clued up about all aspects, having set it up and talked to other bike reuse projects and African partners over the years.

Committed to getting Re~Cycle to a position where it is able to run well without him (not looking to leave, just want sustainability).

 


Rahul Sriskanthan

Click edit and write here please Rahul

He's a good guy who's been a Monitor consultant in his day

Rahul and Re~Cycle:

Been a trustee for a few years now.

 

 

Rita Solanke

Born in Nigeria, raised in the UK, degrees from the London School of Economics.  Lived and worked in ‘perfume label locations’ – London, Paris, Hong Kong..as well as the more obscure: Richardson Texas to name but one.  Planned to be all things but ended up working for a bank (BNP Paribas), which is particularly unoriginal for an LSE graduate.  Thought about doing a PhD (still thinking about it), but currently balance my time between work, family, playing music and sports.

Re~Cycle for me started at Uni when I stumbled into a random meeting at the LSE and there was Merlin and his big heart and ambition.  The rest is history.

Rita and Re~Cycle:
I love this charity: it’s simple and allows anyone and everyone to make a big difference to the lives of people on the other side of the planet in a green and non-patronising way. My role seems to be general dog’s body – I manage small projects, liaise with London based volunteers, make movies, organise events, establish partnerships, carry out fundraising – the list is endless.  I would like to see the charity grow in supporting medical NGOs as well as extend its reach to Francophone Africa.  Working for Re~Cycle can be very stressful and very fun: the big pay off is when you hear the stories of the lives that you have helped to change – and that’s what we do: every month, every container, every bike. We aim to make a positive difference, because we can.



Trustees Wanted:

Treasurer / accounting, to add to our skill set

Women, for more balance

 

Please contact us by E-mail for more info