Charles Mindenhall
Chair
Charles Mindenhall is Co-Founder of Blenheim Chalcot, a leading global venture builder, where he has helped build over 40 companies since 1998.
He serves as Chair of OnSide Youth Zones and Future Youth Zone in Barking and Dagenham, and is a trustee of Mental Health Innovations, launched from the Royal Foundation’s Heads Together programme.
Charles holds an MA in Philosophy and Psychology from Christ Church, Oxford University, and previously worked at Monitor Company.
Jyoti Cushion
Chief Legal & Compliance Officer at Blenheim Chalcot
Jyoti is Chief Legal & Compliance Officer at Blenheim Chalcot, advising its portfolio companies across sectors including financial services.
She was previously General Legal Counsel at TDX Group (a Blenheim Chalcot business) for ten years until its sale to Equifax in 2014, and before that worked in private practice specialising in commercial litigation.
Jyoti lives in Nottingham with her two teenage daughters and three dogs, who collectively test most of her patience.
Lara Mindenhall
Co-Founder and Trustee
Lara is Co-Founder and Trustee of Babyzone, with a background spanning strategy, marketing, and technology ventures at Blenheim Chalcot.
She was a Strategy Consultant at Monitor Company, VP of Consumer Marketing at EMI Music, and is also a Trustee of On the Edge Conservation, having previously served with Operation Smile.
Lara holds an MBA from INSEAD, an MSc in Economics from the University of Oxford, and an Honours degree from the University of Cape Town.
Lucy Elwes
Founding partner of Theleme Partners
Lucy is a founding partner of Theleme Partners, a global investment firm based in London, managing assets on behalf of institutional clients.
She has over 20 years’ experience in investment management, and holds a degree in Modern Languages from Christ Church, Oxford, as well as the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
Lucy is committed to supporting women in finance through her volunteer work with GAIN (Girls Are Investors) and serves on the Christ Church Development Board.
Sarah Hesz
Associate Director at The Royal Foundation’s Centre
Sarah is an Associate Director at The Royal Foundation’s Centre for Early Childhood and has spent the past eight years working in parent tech start-ups.
She co-founded Mush, an app supporting new mums’ mental health through community, and is a Non-Executive Director at childcare platform Bubble. Mush enabled hundreds of thousands of meetups and friendships for parents.
Sarah previously spent a decade in advertising in London and Boston, specialising in new business and growth.
Paddy Radcliffe
CEO of The Peel
Paddy is CEO of The Peel, a 127-year-old community charity based in Clerkenwell, London and is a trustee of the Octopus Community Network.
He has over 20 years’ experience working with charities, public bodies, social enterprises, and community organisations, holding roles as Chair, CEO, and advisor. He is passionate about achieving sustainable, inter-generational social impact.
Earlier in his career, Paddy worked in marketing in London and South Africa, and once made a successful appearance on Dragons’ Den!
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Gavin Evans
CEO
Gavin joined the Babyzone team in summer 2025 and brings over two decades of experience leading youth and community-focused organisations across the UK.
Prior to Babyzone, Gavin served as Chief Executive Officer at Future Youth Zone in Barking and Dagenham, where he played a pivotal role in establishing a vibrant, inclusive space that supported thousands of young people through high-quality activities and personal development opportunities. He also held the CEO role at Legacy Youth Zone in Croydon and served as Interim CEO at The Way Youth Zone in Wolverhampton, helping to strengthen operations and strategic delivery across these organisations.
Gavin is a qualified teacher with experience of working in Primary Education as well as having worked in roles within statutory and non statutory organisations that deliver positive outcomes for young people in employability, outdoor education and various youth programmes.
Gavin is passionate about creating safe, inspiring environments where young children and families can thrive, and he is excited to lead Babyzone through its next phase of national growth and impact.
Will Brackwell
Director of Partnerships
Will is responsible for leading external partnerships, income strategy, and national expansion at Babyzone.
He brings experience in operations leadership and strategic planning, and before joining Babyzone, worked as Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff at a sustainability-focused infrastructure start-up. Earlier in his career, he served as an Infantry Officer in the military.
Will is passionate about building impactful partnerships and scaling mission-driven organisations to create lasting social chang
Isobel Barker
Chief of Staff
Isobel is responsible for driving strategic alignment, enabling cross-functional execution, and supporting executive decision-making across the organisation.
She brings experience in healthtech operations and partnerships, and before joining Babyzone, worked at AllMyHealth as Founder's Associate and Partnerships Lead, where she supported initiatives to improve outcomes for rare disease patients.
Isobel is passionate about building systems and products that empower families and caregivers.
Natalie Allibon
Marketing & Communications Executive
Natalie leads Babyzone’s social media, content development, and digital presence, ensuring that the organisation’s mission reaches families and partners effectively.
She brings experience in campaign planning, content creation, and event management, and before joining Babyzone, worked at Blenheim Chalcot, supporting both the central team and portfolio ventures.
Natalie is passionate about using digital platforms to connect diverse communities and amplify stories that create lasting impact.
Jessica Barnaschone
Head of Babyzone Croydon and Babyzone Hammersmith & Fulham
Jessica is responsible for leading Babyzone delivery in Croydon and Hammersmith & Fulham, as well as overseeing safeguarding.
She brings experience as a primary school teacher, early years educator, and trainer.
Jessica is passionate about helping families positively impact the home learning environment to improve outcomes for children.
Carragh Garrity
Head of Babyzone Blackburn and Babyzone Wigan
Carragh leads Babyzone in Blackburn and Wigan, overseeing programme delivery, partnerships and staff development.
She holds a degree in Health & Social Care and has 15 years’ experience in early years. Before Babyzone, she led a Family Support service at Home-Start.
Carragh is passionate about perinatal mental health and committed to reducing isolation and helping every child feel safe.
Naomi Tracey
Head of Babyzone Barnet
Naomi leads Babyzone in Barnet, working with practitioners and partners to connect families with local support and learning,
She has over a decade’s experience supporting families, combining her child psychology studies with extensive work in early years settings before joining Babyzone.
Naomi is passionate about helping children thrive and dedicated to empowering parents to confidently support their child’s development and growth at home.
Liz Kemp
Head of Babyzone Warrington
Liz leads Babyzone Warrington and serves as the Designated Safeguarding Lead, supporting families through early childhood development and community-based care.
With over 18 years’ experience, she has dedicated her career to working with disadvantaged and vulnerable families through outreach and support services.
She takes a compassionate, strengths-based, and culturally responsive approach, creating safe, nurturing spaces where children thrive and families feel respected, empowered, and supported.
Heena
Head of Babyzone Barking & Dagenham
Heena oversees operations at Babyzone Barking & Dagenham, bringing together families and local partners.
She has experience working with families and young people, and before joining Babyzone worked in youth education at Peer2Peer Education to improve young people’s future prospects.
Heena is passionate about supporting underrepresented families to reach their potential through opportunity and education.