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[ about ] → [ who we are ] → [ our staff ]

[ our staff ]

CEO, Trustee, Director and Secretary:

Dr Victoria Harris  set up Article 25 in June 2005 (then known as Architects for Aid). "She should probably be runnning the country" said Ed Vaizey, the Shadow Culture Secretary, on his website in 2007,  http://edvaizey.mpblogs.com/2007/02/26/great-architecture/. She has a BSc in astrophysics and PhD in nuclear physics from Imperial College London co-authoring 70 published collaboration papers on the physics of proton electron collisions; which she then followed with five years in investment banking and two further years in banking consultancy, working in the areas of derivatives and securitisation. Victoria worked on projects as diverse as football gate-receipt receivables financing to headhunting teams for investment banks. While seeking a career change into the not for profit sector, Victoria began (though did not finish this time!) a second PhD (in experimental psychology) at Cambridge University working on research with the charity the Autism Research Centre and in the department of psychiatry. At the same time she also undertook professional experience in psychology,  working in some more hostile environments including conflict zones. This influenced her interest in and move to full time into development work and post disaster redevelopment and reconstruction, and ultimately to setting up Article 25 with the founding Trustees. Victoria is currently a visiting academic supervising a PhD in disaster relief in the department of Architecture at Queens University Belfast. Victoria is the full-time chief executive of the charity. Ed Vaizey has yet to persuade Gordon to step aside.

DIRECTOR OF PROJECTS:

Robin Cross joined Article 25 as the Director of Projects in May 2008. Robin graduated with Distinction from The Bartlett School where he developed strategies for socially and environmentally motivated design. In the year of his qualification as an Architect and his admission to the Architects' register, Robin was awarded the RIBA's Hayden Smith Award for the strongest design quality of his year. Robin went on to gain extensive experience in leading design teams in construction projects in the UK and abroad. His leadership experience ranges from facilitating construction teams in community-based building projects, to adminstering contracts in the pressured environment of the UK commercial construction industry. Robin is also an elected politician as a Councillor in the London Borough of Lewisham, where he represents one of the most diverse and multicultural communities in London. As the Chair of Lewisham's Design Panel and as his political group's lead on the Sustainable Development Select Committee, Robin takes an active role in sustainable urban regeneration. As a Director of a local New Deal for Communities regeneration initiative, Robin contributes his professional skills to the challenging role of regenerating a deprived area of London. At Article 25 Robin leads the design team's operations, heading a highly motivated team of talented designers and built environment professionals  who commit their skills and energy to Article 25's expanding programme of development and disaster relief.

FUNDRAISING

Lisa Dayanandan became Article 25’s Office Manager in June 2007 and moved to fundraising full time in early 2009 as Fundraising Officer.  Lisa originally decided to move from Edmonton, Canada to London to teach English at GCSE and A-level.  Lisa has a lifelong interest in literature and runs her own book group which has been flourishing for 3 years. Seeking a career change from teaching she then went on to work in office environments and further developed her skills in business administration and customer services by working as a freelance administrator/book-keeper.  Lisa had a  strong desire to work in the charitable sector and this led Lisa to Article 25 where she has worked tirelessly to keep the business running smoothly and efficiently. She handed over to Stephanie Johnston on taking up her new role in the Fundraising department. Lisa collects Fridge Magnets from around the world. You should SEE her fridge. She never has.

EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION

Emily Reilly joined Article 25 as the Education and Communication Manager in August 2009. She studied social policy and government at the London School of Economics (LSE) and after a year working for an NGO in China, and a posting at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, she went on to complete a Masters in Violence Conflict and Development at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Putting theory into practice, Emily spent the next four years working in Iraq, firstly on a government reform programme funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and lastly as Programme Director for an emergency response programme funded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Bringing a wealth of practical knowledge of the challenges faced by communities affected by conflict, and the NGOs and donors working to assist them, Emily has firsthand experience of problems caused by the absence of built environment professionals at programme design and implementation level. Emily will be managing our Education and Communication Activities including an ambitious DFID supported programme to raised awareness of international development amongst built environment students and professionals.  

Stephanie Johnston moved from her former capacity as Office Manager to Education and Communication Officer in June 2009. Having started volunteering for Article 25 in 2008, Stephanie joined the organisation after a Masters in Development and Planning: Building and Urban Design in Development (Deevlopment Planning Unit, Bartlett, UCL). Stephanie is actively involved in the Community Participation Strategy of Article 25, in addition to her work supporting the activities of the Education and Communication team under the DFID funded programme. In case she feels she doesn't have enough to do, Stephanie also continues to act as administrative support for the Office Manager, and takes on the running of the occassional event in aid of Article 25.

OFFICE MANAGER

Alick Macleod started volunteering for Article 25 in June 2009 before moving into the Office Manager role in November 2009. Following graduation from Durham University, Alick taught English in South Korea before returning to pursue an interest in international development. Alick manages our human resources and internal systems to keep the organisation running smoothly and on a tight budget and even keel. Alick combines his work with studying for a part-time Masters degree in Poverty Reduction and Development Management from Birmingham University: a terrible decision that means he can no longer enjoy weekends!