London and South East Committee

I’ve now worked in Fundraising for more years than I dare to remember, and I’ve loved (almost!) every minute of it. As a consultant I have helped multiple organisations – from large nationals such as Mind and Alzheimer’s Society, to smaller organisations with a turnover of less than £0.5milion and everything in between - to develop and grow their event fundraising programmes, often through engaging and empowering workshops. In recent years I have added governance and strategic reviews (both of individual campaigns as well as overall fundraising strategy) to the support I offer, and I am a massive proponent of collaboration and breaking down silos.

Mark is the CEO and Founder of Hope & May, a legal practice that provides Data Protection advice and guidance to charitable organisations. His work is endorsed by the NCVO, ACEVO, Lloyds Bank Foundation and the Directory of Social Change. He has worked with more than 2000 charities and provides outsourced Data Protection Officer representations. Mark has been a volunteer and London committee member for the Chartered Institute for ten years in various roles.   

I have been a member of the London & South East Committee since 2014. I am responsible for editing web pages, video editing and social media promotion. I also help out at First Thursday events in person and online. I support the Chartered Institute as they provide valuable training and networking opportunities to all fundraisers.

I work as a freelance trusts and foundations fundraiser for small charities including RGC Wheelchair Rugby, Coventry Wheelchair Basketball Academy and Hope For African Communities. 

I am also a Trustee of the Black British Classical Foundation, who work to improve diversity in the classical music genre. I organise the Essex Fundraisers Facebook group and am active in the IWGB Charity Workers Branch.

Having Joined We Are Beams in 2022 as a complete novice to fundraising I was able to find a passion I had not found previously within a profession I have grown to love. I’m a Fundraising Executive at We Are Beams, a charity that supports disabled children and their families - including my own.

During my time here I have been able to work on most income streams building long lasting and impactful relationships to best support sustainable income for the charity. My role now is focused on Trust and Foundation giving allowing me to grow my strategic planning further whilst growing the income we have previously brought in.

This year, I started my Diploma in Fundraising and spent a day learning from the wonderful Gill Jolly on the "Trust Fundraising - Improving Your Success (Intermediate) Course". I am now volunteering with the Chartered Institute of Fundraising London and South East Group to give back but also to continue my growth within the sector.

A dedicated training manager with over 20 years of experience in telephone fundraising, compliance, and caller development, committed to empowering professionals with the knowledge and skills to excel while upholding ethical standards

As a lead trainer, mentor, and committee member at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising SE & London region, I actively shape industry best practices through meetings, training sessions, and events, deepening my commitment to knowledge-sharing and professional development.

Passionate about fostering ethical fundraising, I am dedicated to equipping professionals with the tools and insights they need to thrive while maintaining the highest standards of compliance.

30+ years experience working within London Advertising and Marketing agencies as a Creative, notably WWAV Rapp Collins where he produced and lead creative fundraising campaigns for: Cancer Research UK, NSPCC, Oxfam and RSPCA.

He's the Chair and Acting CEO of a charity supporting people with dependency issues in Luton, for which he's overseen the renaming and rebranding of.

Over and above any professional fundraising work, in his spare time Paul has to date, helped raise over £6.5 million from successful grant applications for good causes.

Kofi Oppong is the founder of Urban MBA, an educational charity revolutionising entrepreneurship training. With over 20 years of corporate experience, Kofi has created a dynamic learning environment that has empowered more than 600 students through Bachelor's Level 6, 12-week, and 6-week enterprise programmes. His hands-on mentoring has directly supported over 60 young entrepreneurs in launching their businesses. Through Urban MBA, Kofi bridges the gap between traditional education and practical business skills, creating accessible pathways for both young people and career changers to achieve their entrepreneurial ambitions.

Dimitra is a Fundraising Consultant and Coach with over 15 years’ experience in major gifts and philanthropy. She has worked with universities, charities, NGOs, and foundations across the UK and Europe, securing significant funding and supporting the development of fundraisers. Previous positions include roles at Age UK, Victim Support, Action Against Hunger UK, the University of East London, and the Bodossaki Foundation, where she led and supported initiatives in fundraising, programme development, and organisational growth.

Through her consultancy, Dimitra helps organisations design effective fundraising strategies, build teams and systems capacity, strengthen donor relationships, and embed a culture of philanthropy. She also offers psychologically informed coaching to enhance fundraising, helping fundraisers and nonprofit leaders build resilience, support wellbeing, sharpen leadership, and achieve sustainable success.

A Fellow of the RSA, an Associate Fellow of Advance HE, a Clore Social Leadership Fellow, and a member of the British Psychological Society Coaching Division and the International Society for Coaching Psychology, Dimitra is passionate about mentoring, inclusive leadership, and helping fundraisers thrive with confidence.

With over 17 years of experience in recruitment in the non-profit sector, I bring a wealth of expertise in talent acquisition and workforce strategy. I’m passionate about working with organisations, particularly those focused on awareness and support. In addition to my recruitment career, I actively contribute to the nonprofit sector, supporting events for the Chartered Institute of Fundraising in London and the South East.

Celia brings over 25 years of experience in fundraising across the charity and education sectors. She holds a Diploma in Fundraising Management and has a proven track record in designing and delivering integrated campaigns. Her expertise spans strategic project development and extensive event management.

Throughout her career, Celia has contributed to a range of respected organisations, including the British Red Cross, Sue Ryder, and Queen Mary University of London. She currently leads engagement and fundraising at Gresham College, an institution that has been offering free public lectures for over four hundred years.

Celia is excited to bring her passion and experience to the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, where she will be delivering First Thursday events across London and the South East.

James Kliffen is a fundraising consultant with a track record of delivering sector-leading growth rates in private income. Over three decades he has provided fundraising leadership for Comic Relief, the British Red Cross, the Disasters Emergency Committee and Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders. James' core work has been in enabling diverse teams to fully achieve their potential, whilst ensuring that strategies are both optimal and future proof. He is dedicated to supporting peer fundraisers throughout the UK charity sector, and has extensive experience across a wide range of fundraising markets globally. James is a trustee of the charity Music Support, which was formed by music industry professionals to help peers experiencing substance use, addiction and/or mental health challenges.

Emma-Louise Singh is a highly experienced and qualified fundraiser with over 15 years of hands-on experience across trusts, events, Individual Giving, Legacy and In Memory fundraising. She has worked with leading national charities as well as local organisations, implementing strategies that diversify income streams. Emma-Louise founded Nova Fundraising to empower small and medium charities to excel fundraising. She is highly qualified, having completed the CIOF’s Diploma in Fundraising and International Advanced Diploma in Fundraising qualifications. Her passion is helping charities turn possibility into reality by building professional, resilient fundraising programmes from the ground up. 

She is a strategic and organised thinker and is currently Chair of Trustees of two animal welfare charities.