Our people
Our People
Who we are
David Lett and John Evans founded New Meaning in 2006. Now, there are two separate sister enterprises helping people find meaning. New Meaning Training and our Charity, New Meaning Foundation. Together, these enterprises are Building Strengths, Building Lives and Building Futures.
For the next 10 years they delivered numerous programmes across the country in schools, community enterprises and social housing providers, all focused on motivating, enabling and facilitating agency and social enterprise in young people and those without jobs.
Together they developed a number of People-Behaviour-Change methodologies including ProActive Life & Work Skills (for young people), ProActive Behaviour Change (for organisations), and ProActive Community Enterprise (for local communities).
I believe in supporting, facilitating and enabling lost souls to rediscover their self-confidence and improve self-esteem, with the desired outcome that everyone who goes through the process learns to be proficient, able and successful in a way that is genuinely meaningful to their individual lives.
John Evans
Chief Executive Officer (and Co-Founder of New Meaning)
John comes from a background in agri-science followed by several years in mergers & acquisitions (people & process). Since co-founding New Meaning in 2006 he has focused on social enterprise charities, providing positive life-changing education, training and employment for the hardest to reach in society.
John sees his role at NMF as defining overall strategy with the Trustees, followed by orchestrating and implementing delivery (but in reality he does a lot more than that).
On a personal level, John used to be an average rugby player, founded the Herts Uni cross country club, and his claim to fame was undoubtedly leader of the 2nd violins in the Anglo-French Youth Orchestra in the late 70’s.
“I believe in supporting, facilitating and enabling lost souls to rediscover their self-confidence and improve self-esteem, with the desired outcome that everyone who goes through the process learns to be proficient, able and successful in a way that is genuinely meaningful to their individual lives.”
Tracy Mann
Trustee
I first met John many years ago and like other trustees I have witnessed the growth and development of New Meaning Foundation over many years. I have always been passionate about helping people to live their best lives and do that through my work every single day. I have many years experience in the NHS, the Civil Service and third sector where I’ve worked on a number of programmes designed to help reduce inequalities, increase life chances and opportunities and widen participation and access to health and education.
I am really thrilled to be part of New Meaning Foundation and be able to share and apply some of my learning and also to learn from our customers and those we help so that we continue to grow and reach and support many more people.
“In my role as Trustee Safeguarding Lead, I work closely with our brilliant team of people to make sure we’re doing everything we should to keep everybody working / studying / training with us safe and well.”
“In my role as Trustee Safeguarding Lead, I work closely with our brilliant team of people to make sure we’re doing everything we should to keep everybody working / studying / training with us safe and well.”
From my perspective, New Meaning is one of the few charitable organisations for whom action, impact and results are the key metric. They put people at the heart of everything they do, and understand that all people have different experiences, mindsets, priorities and lived experience. I have never met two more empathetic individuals than John and David.
Lex Beckett
Trustee (Chair)
Lex has worked closely with John & David for the past decade so has witness the development of New Meaning and their various activities and course around the UK and abroad.
As a BAFTA-nominated filmmaker (yes, indeed), Lex is the Company and Creative Director of the wonderfully named Squashed Robot Films, who specialise in commercial and film production, broadcast, documentary, aerial filming and photography.
Although we don’t see Lex that often in Cambridge (he’s based in Cheltenham), he brings a valuable creative perspective to New Meaning Foundation, as well as a long-term interest in psychology which he feels aligns with the ethos of the charity.
When he’s not wielding a camera or a clip-board, Lex’s idea of fun is escaping the modern world, either camping or walking in the middle of nowhere.
“From my perspective, New Meaning is one of the few charitable organisations for whom action, impact and results are the key metric. They put people at the heart of everything they do, and understand that all people have different experiences, mindsets, priorities and lived experience. I have never met two more empathetic individuals than John and David.”
Andrew Aus
Trustee
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Simon Pickering
Trustee
Simon began his career working with young people in South London as a youth worker, in the area where he grew up. Simon’s 15-year youth sector career has included commissioning youth services for young people in two local authorities in Suffolk and working for BBC Children Need. In 2015 Simon founded Dot to Dot Training and Consulting a purpose drive business specialising in supporting charities and social enterprises with fundraising, impact communication and business development. Dot to Dot work UK wide and have supported over 300 organisations to thrive.
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Peter Zipp
Trustee
Peter has had a long career in Engineering and Information Technology, including the founding of a company in South Africa, and acting as CEO for its first 20 years. That company (which is now 40 years old) specialises in systems for manufacturing and logistics. (In the “alphabet soup” of acronyms, this includes CAQ, MES, ERP and SCADA.)
Based in Cambridge since 2006, he has been consulting on both business and technology to numerous companies, including several start-ups, and has become well established on the Cambridge Entrepreneurial scene.
In his spare time he has deep interests in Psychology, Philosophy, Economics and Sociology.
He has been associated with New Meaning Foundation since 2016, and became a Trustee in 2020.
“The full vision of New Meaning Foundation is to become a self-sustaining venture, in which the productive output of the trainees will generate enough revenue to support the training operations. In addition, the provision of low-cost housing addresses another pervasive social problem. The long-term foresight of John is indeed remarkable, although the obstacles to be overcome are considerable.”
‟The full vision of New Meaning Foundation is to become a self-sustaining venture, in which the productive output of the trainees will generate enough revenue to support the training operations. In addition, the provision of low-cost housing addresses another pervasive social problem. The long-term foresight of John is indeed remarkable, although the obstacles to be overcome are considerable.”
Lacy feels strongly that the work at NMF is “all about the kids”. She says “I probably have too much empathy and there’s no big story to share about how I came to this. But I find that it’s really rewarding when you get along with a young person and you see them achieving.”
Lacy Bridgeman
Construction Tutor
A Plumbing and Heating Engineer by trade, Lacy is now a naturally hardworking and empathetic tutor at New Meaning Foundation. By day she works with the young people on their Construction Multiskills programme and by night she manages an events catering business (Duxford Hog Roast). After secondary school Lacy didn’t go straight into plumbing, but in fact began by studying for 3 years on an Art & Design BTEC National Diploma, with a specialism for merchandising and display. Whilst Lacy didn’t continue in this direction she certainly puts those skills to good use as she’s been enthusiastically developing and showcasing a side-line of NMF products to help the charity with fundraising. It has to be said, Lacy has so many talents!
Back when Lacy was doing her BTEC she had a part-time supermarket job. But when she completed the BTEC she found herself working there full time. She says “I thought, what am I doing? I’m stuck in a dead end job”. So after a short 3 month stop-gap working with her mum in a workshop, Lacy realised she wanted to work doing something really hands on and plumbing seemed like the ideal choice. After sending letters out to every plumbing and heating company in the area Lacy was offered a 3 year apprenticeship with Taylor Woodrow where she completed a level 2 and then a level 3 City and Guilds Plumbing and Heating qualification.
Lacy stayed there for 3 years, picking up a Gas Safety Certification along the way and then went on to do a further 3 years working for the contractor she had worked alongside for the first 3 years.
After a career break to have her family, Lacy returned to working in plumbing and started her own business. That was hard to start with because she was moving from site work to domestic work, which was very different.
Fast forward to April 2022 and Lacy found that she was hating the solitude of her work and wanted another challenge. She spotted the Plumbing Tutor job at NMF and jumped at the chance.
Lacy feels strongly that the work at NMF is “all about the kids”. She says “I probably have too much empathy and there’s no big story to share about how I came to this. But I find that it’s really rewarding when you get along with a young person and you see them achieving.”
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Mayomi Wickramaratne
Administrator
Mayomi brings a wealth of experience to our team, drawing on a diverse professional background in Sri Lanka and England.
In Sri Lanka, Mayomi dedicated nine years to the Ministry of Labour, where she contributed across various divisions. In the Academic Division, she played a key role in organizing, developing, and planning training programs for the employee sector. Within the Finance Division, Mayomi managed the ministry’s Computerised Government Accounting System. Additionally, their work in the Planning, Research, and Development Divisions included organising mobile services to extend support to rural communities and leading the Annual Research Symposium on Labour, as well as the publication of the Annual Research Journal on Labour. These responsibilities involved extensive planning, coordination, and public engagement. Furthermore, Mayomi collaborated on research initiatives conducted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in partnership with the Ministry of Labour.
After moving to England, Mayomi completed an MSc in International Business with a focus on Human Resource Management. In January 2024, she joined NMF as a Business Administrator, where she continues to manage a variety of responsibilities, including HR-related tasks, administrative operations, and serving as both an exam officer and an exam invigilator.
Outside of work, Mayomi has a passion for travel and exploration. She loves visiting new places and experiencing the natural beauty and unique cultures each destination has to offer.
“I think it’s great that the work I do can make such a difference to the young people here. I find the exam invigilation really eye opening. It’s great when we see the young person caring about the results”
I think it’s great that the work I do can make such a difference to the young people here. I find the exam invigilation really eye opening. It’s great when we see the young person caring about the results
Steve Hodder
Tutor
I started work as a Ford Technical Apprentice from the age of 16, moved on to gain an Engineering Degree (sponsored by Ford), and then left Ford to become a freelance Automotive designer. My first contract was in Canada working as a design engineer for GM. I then ventured back to Europe (Germany – working with BMW, Porsche and Opel), then moved down to Italy (working with Pininfarina, Ferrari and Maserati), over to Japan (working with Nissan), and then back to the UK as European Business Executive for an Essex based Design House. I gained a senior position as Business Development Director for German company EDAG (setting up their UK business operations) but was then offered a long term move to the USA for six years as senior Business Development manager for Group Lotus.
I’ve had a colourful career, having worked as safeguarding Lead for the Essex Police cadets, and I also supported Essex Police’s MOSOVO unit for three years which was very challenging. During COVID, I worked full time for the East of England Ambulance service as a qualified call handler, so my public service experience is extensive.
However, with a burning creative streak, I gave up all engineering around 20 years ago, after being in awe of seeing West End Show “Blood Brothers”, to become a professional actor, where I trained at Trinity College London or three years, and have subsequently appeared in many big budget films, countless popular TV programs and stage shows. Nurturing my huge passion for the arts, I set up a Performing Arts School (The Pauline Quirke Academy), which I have been running now for 15 years, teaching youngsters from the ages of 6 to 18 how to act, make films, and perform and follow their own dreams.
Back in May 2024, I was asked by NMF Operations manager Fiona, |I f I would be interested in invigilating Entry Level exams. I was subsequently trained by NOCN, and undertake exam invigilation across Cambridge, for our NMF learners. This has progressed quite quickly, and I now teach Math’s and English on-site at Waterbeach three days a week, as well as assist Lacey in the workshop, and accompany Fiona on 2 to 1 Learner support in and around the county.
“Teaching students who haven’t had the best start to their schooling and education is very challenging but highly rewarding. It’s great to see them accomplish academic goals and challenges and be told they look forward to coming in to see us for classes.”
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“Teaching students who haven’t had the best start to their schooling and education is very challenging but highly rewarding. It’s great to see them accomplish academic goals and challenges and be told they look forward to coming in to see us for classes.”
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John Buckley
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Thomas Duffy
Construction
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Egiton Nyakuedzwa
Tutor
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Walter Smith
Construction
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THANK YOU ALL.
Please donate to help BFIG at Busumbala school.
MoJo / NMF are proud to have helped BFIG build this much needed school.
Congratulations to @_Hopestead, @EmmausSuffolk & @newmeaningfound, for winning Best Use of an Emerging Technology in Housebuilding at the Housing Digital Innovation Awards 2024!
Read about our winners here: https://t.co/ejUXGRIC3C
#HousingDigitalAwards #HDIA2024 #ukhousing
Congratulations @EmmausSuffolk on winning the @hdawards_ for Best Use of an Emerging Technology in Housebuilding with @newmeaningfound and
@_Hopestead for their Hopestead Place accommodation.
The homes provide companions with more independence and their own front door. 💚
We're winners!🌟
Absolutely delighted to have won the @hdawards_ for Best Use of an Emerging Technology in Housebuilding alongside @newmeaningfound and @_Hopestead
for our Hopestead Place accommodation
Above all, we're thrilled to see the homes already ...transforming lives💚
