Our team
Team
CEO of Tree Shepherd
Sandra Ferguson
Sandra has been an integral part of Tree Shepherd since April 2018, bringing extensive experience in delivering socio-economic programs. With an extensive career in community regeneration and the housing sector, she focuses on programs that empower individuals and build economic well-being.
As the CEO of Tree Shepherd, Sandra leads the organisation in creating a world where everyone can actively participate in their local economy, working with diverse clients including the unemployed, low-income families, aspiring young entrepreneurs, and small independent businesses.
Under Sandra’s guidance, Tree Shepherd offers comprehensive enterprise training courses, workshops, and affordable workspaces, business mentoring programs, helping individuals refine their ideas and strategies. With market stalls and networking opportunities, Tree Shepherd fosters a supportive environment for growth.
Recognising the importance of effective engagement and networking, Tree Shepherd actively builds networks and forums for individuals and businesses to maximise their connections within and beyond their community. Tree Shepherd also extends its support to businesses impacted by regeneration projects, helping them navigate their way towards a future where they can achieve their business goals successfully. Tree Shepherd continues to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals and businesses, empowering them to thrive within their local economies and build a brighter future.
Business Development Manager
Rhian Letang
Rhian has been with Tree Shepherd since November 2018 and currently works as a Business Development Manager. In this role, she provides strategic support to local start-ups, micro, and small independent businesses affected by redevelopment. She has led key projects, including initiatives with the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre and the Peckham Business Forum. Rhian excels in relationship-building, regularly engaging with key stakeholders to offer tailored solutions that foster growth within developing business communities.
With a background in Advertising, Sales, Account Management, and Business Development, Rhian has extensive experience supporting small businesses. Prior to Tree Shepherd, she worked with over 500 small business owners through the Federation of Small Businesses, identifying challenges and delivering targeted support services. She is passionate about empowering small enterprises, recognising them as vital drivers of the UK economy.
Rhian has also contributed to large organisations, including ITV, and collaborated with major charities to enhance their telephone fundraising campaigns. Beyond her corporate experience, she is dedicated to health and well-being and is currently the COO of a natural beauty and wellness brand.
Business Development Manager
April Collins
April joined Tree Shepherd in April 2023 as a business development executive. April is responsible for providing business support to local start-ups, micro and small businesses affected by redevelopment for projects throughout London. April is skilled in problem solving and relationship building. She regularly engages with key stakeholders and prides herself on being able to support, problem solve and provide solutions within developing business communities.
April’s previous experience comes from a background in the national health service where she worked as a service manager for a busy outpatient service. Most recently before joining Tree Shepherd April took a career break, Tree Shepherd has provided April with a platform to revisit her skill set, grow in confidence, and thrive in a career she is very passionate about in a community she grew up in.
Glows Workspace Supervisor
Magdalen Rubalcava
Magdalen joined Glows in April 2018 as the workshop co-ordinator. Magdalen has a degree in Fashion & Textiles, as well as another in Theatre design. Magdalen has worked all over the world and in the Theatre world, however, more recently works all over Lambeth as an installation artist, which includes the Sunflower butterfly garden and Alice in Wonderland in the Town Hall flowerbeds, in the final month before the Town Hall closed down for refurbishment. She has also been commissioned to make a 25ft Christmas Tree out of 500 smelly old work boots for Southwark recycling centre.
Magdalen liaises with the Glows members and introduces and promotes Glows and the hot desk maker space. She is also a founder member of friends of Windmill Gardens.
Thrive’s Workspace Supervisor
Jamie-Lee Jones
Jamie-Lee joined Tree Shepherd in June 2021, as the workspace co-ordinator at Thrive, Surrey Quays. Jamie-Lee is responsible for working with existing and new users of Thrive, our mixed business meanwhile workspace. She is also the market operator for the monthly pop-up market in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, which has been running successfully since 2022.
Jamie-Lee grew up in Rotherhithe and studied at Greenwich university studying media arts production. Jamie-Lee’s skills complement the communication team within Tree Shepherd with her creative eye. Living and growing up in the Canada Water area she knows the area really well and is passionate about bringing the local community together and helping people achieve their goals within business.
Business Support Consultant
Natasha Simms
Natasha Simms is a dedicated and passionate Business Support Consultant at Tree Shepherd, where she helps entrepreneurs and small businesses develop, grow, and thrive. With over a decade of experience in business support, event organisation, and entrepreneurship, Natasha brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on expertise to her role.
At Tree Shepherd, Natasha plays a key role in organising networking events, coordinating business forums, and supporting local enterprises. She works closely with entrepreneurs to provide tailored guidance, administrative support, and strategic business advice. Her ability to build strong relationships and foster collaboration makes her a valuable asset to the community.
Beyond her role at Tree Shepherd, Natasha has extensive experience running her own Consultancy and business ventures, including Pure Zen Juice, a successful cold-pressed juice brand. Her entrepreneurial background gives her a deep understanding of the challenges small businesses face, allowing her to offer practical and holistic support.
Natasha is passionate about empowering individuals, creating opportunities, and driving positive change in local economies. She is committed to helping businesses unlock their full potential by providing expert guidance, connecting them with valuable resources, and equipping them with the skills they need to succeed.
Trustees
Jonathan Clarke - Chair
Jonathan Clarke lives in South East London, having moved to London from Northern Ireland over 30 years ago. He lives with his husband and cat. He works at a City Law Firm as Chief People Officer. He has led HR teams for the last 10 years and before that worked in the HR teams of various legal and consulting Firms. He is member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Cynthia Mukiwa
Cynthia Mukiwa, MBA, is a Finance and Risk professional who works in the insurance industry and has held consulting roles in the professional services firms. She also actively leads and participates in social enterprise initiatives of African diaspora to drive positive social change and empowerment in Africa. Cynthia contributes as part of a community of business professionals who assist entrepreneurs and start-ups in structuring and developing their business ideas.
Andrew Livingston
Andrew Livingston is a portfolio finance director advising companies on developing management reporting systems, preparing for capital transactions, and enhancing forecasting capabilities. Over twenty-five years’ accounting experience, both in the UK and overseas, of which the last twenty has been at director level. Sectors worked in include property, light and heavy manufacturing, construction and consulting. Andrew is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
Simon Hall
Simon Hall is a very experienced senior leader who’s passionate about improving people’s lives through better services, providing opportunity, creating and regenerating places and neighbourhoods. He has substantial project management and delivery experience and worked with a wide range of communities across a range of sectors and using a wide variety of methods.
His specialties include creating opportunity and new business connections in community and urban regeneration, resident involvement and worklessness programmes. He’s been involved in managing community facilities, and working with multiple partners including Local Strategic Partnerships, public and voluntary sector groups.