NSN announces board, welcoming a diverse, experienced team of founding appointees
Glasgow, April 11 2022
National Support Network CIC (‘NSN’), a new social enterprise that helps businesses support their customers in times of need, today announced six new non-executive directors to its founding board: Sehrish Ali-Siddiqi, Robbie Dale, Manuela Marchetti, Richard Norris, Joe Peach and Simon Wakeman.
“As an early-stage social venture, we feel incredibly lucky to be joined by such a diverse and talented team,” said NSN CEO and Co-Founder, Cat Divers.
“Their expert advice and support will help us lay the foundation for scaling social impact through new business partnerships, improving many more lives across the UK. I am grateful to each of these non-executive directors for volunteering their time and expertise to further propel our business forward.”
The six non-executive directors will join two executive directors, Cat Divers (CEO and Co-Founder) and Simon Pitt (CTO and Co-founder) to create the new founding board.
Sehrish Ali-Siddiqi
Sehrish has a decade of finance and accountancy experience behind her, working across the UK. She is currently a Senior Finance Operations Advisor working within Scotland’s public sector with an educational background in accountancy, risk management and governance.
Sehrish said: “With the ever-growing desire to have support and information available at your fingertips and the rise in those feeling isolated within our communities, this service is pivotal in ensuring everyone has access to the life-changing support they need.”
Robbie Dale
Robbie is an award-winning creative director who was named in both the inaugural BIMA Hot 100 and Drum Digerati for his input into the British digital marketing industry. He’s worked in Hollywood, Helsinki and the Houses of Parliament, and is also co-founder of social initiative Today Do This.
Robbie said: “I’ve struggled. My wife’s struggled. I’ve seen friends struggle, and neighbours and colleagues too. And when you’re in those struggles, deciding to seek help can be a big step. But navigating the noise of online information can knock you right back. Information is, after all, only as useful as its curation. If we can close the gap between people in need, and the people that can help, then we can start to ease some of those struggles. And that’s something to be excited about.”
Manuela Marchetti
Manuela is a passionate product leader with more than 20 years’ experience in sales, strategy and product development in multinational companies and start-up environments. With a passion to build great businesses that solve real problems, her experience spans private and third sectors.
Manuela said: “During my career, I have constantly had colleagues or team members going through different personal challenges – financial, family, physical and psychological – and witnessed how difficult it is to find the right information and support; in most cases people rely on their network or chance for help. I think it is exciting that we are going to be able to take the randomness of the current process out and make sure the support is consistent and delivered at the right time.”
Richard Norris
Richard has 13 years’ experience of delivering digital public services. He currently leads delivery teams at dxw, an employee-owned digital agency that works with the public and third sectors. Previously he worked at the Open Data Institute, where he led the OpenActive initiative.
Richard said: “I know how frustrating it can be to find and access support when you need it. Improving the underlying data infrastructure is an essential step in improving the visibility and reach of support services.”
Joe Peach
Joe is a communications professional who has spent the last decade helping technology companies articulate their strategies, launch new projects and build successful brands. He is currently Communications Director at the technology scale-up WhereIsMyTransport.
Joe said: “I believe that technological innovation is most exciting when it improves quality of life. And I know firsthand how valuable easier access to support can be. NSN’s business model is really exciting. It combines technological innovation with carefully curated content, reducing the barrier to entry to life-enhancing services.”
Simon Wakeman
Simon is an entrepreneurial business leader with more than 23 years client and agency-side experience in the private and public sectors. He is currently Chief of Staff at TPXimpact Holdings plc – an AIM-listed rapid growth purpose-driven technology services group.
Simon said: “I can see the potential benefit that a nationwide signposting service could bring to people and organisations. There’s a clear gap for better information about support available to people in need, which NSN is well positioned to deliver against. By doing this it can help change lives for better at scale and that’s something that I’m excited to be a part of.”
“Their expert advice and support will help us lay the foundation for scaling social impact through new business partnerships, improving many more lives across the UK. I am grateful to each of these non-executive directors for volunteering their time and expertise to further propel our business forward.”
The six non-executive directors will join two executive directors, Cat Divers (CEO and Co-Founder) and Simon Pitt (CTO and Co-founder) to create the new founding board.
Sehrish Ali-Siddiqi
Sehrish has a decade of finance and accountancy experience behind her, working across the UK. She is currently a Senior Finance Operations Advisor working within Scotland’s public sector with an educational background in accountancy, risk management and governance.
Sehrish said: “With the ever-growing desire to have support and information available at your fingertips and the rise in those feeling isolated within our communities, this service is pivotal in ensuring everyone has access to the life-changing support they need.”
Robbie Dale
Robbie is an award-winning creative director who was named in both the inaugural BIMA Hot 100 and Drum Digerati for his input into the British digital marketing industry. He’s worked in Hollywood, Helsinki and the Houses of Parliament, and is also co-founder of social initiative Today Do This.
Robbie said: “I’ve struggled. My wife’s struggled. I’ve seen friends struggle, and neighbours and colleagues too. And when you’re in those struggles, deciding to seek help can be a big step. But navigating the noise of online information can knock you right back. Information is, after all, only as useful as its curation. If we can close the gap between people in need, and the people that can help, then we can start to ease some of those struggles. And that’s something to be excited about.”
Manuela Marchetti
Manuela is a passionate product leader with more than 20 years’ experience in sales, strategy and product development in multinational companies and start-up environments. With a passion to build great businesses that solve real problems, her experience spans private and third sectors.
Manuela said: “During my career, I have constantly had colleagues or team members going through different personal challenges – financial, family, physical and psychological – and witnessed how difficult it is to find the right information and support; in most cases people rely on their network or chance for help. I think it is exciting that we are going to be able to take the randomness of the current process out and make sure the support is consistent and delivered at the right time.”
Richard Norris
Richard has 13 years’ experience of delivering digital public services. He currently leads delivery teams at dxw, an employee-owned digital agency that works with the public and third sectors. Previously he worked at the Open Data Institute, where he led the OpenActive initiative.
Richard said: “I know how frustrating it can be to find and access support when you need it. Improving the underlying data infrastructure is an essential step in improving the visibility and reach of support services.”
Joe Peach
Joe is a communications professional who has spent the last decade helping technology companies articulate their strategies, launch new projects and build successful brands. He is currently Communications Director at the technology scale-up WhereIsMyTransport.
Joe said: “I believe that technological innovation is most exciting when it improves quality of life. And I know firsthand how valuable easier access to support can be. NSN’s business model is really exciting. It combines technological innovation with carefully curated content, reducing the barrier to entry to life-enhancing services.”
Simon Wakeman
Simon is an entrepreneurial business leader with more than 23 years client and agency-side experience in the private and public sectors. He is currently Chief of Staff at TPXimpact Holdings plc – an AIM-listed rapid growth purpose-driven technology services group.
Simon said: “I can see the potential benefit that a nationwide signposting service could bring to people and organisations. There’s a clear gap for better information about support available to people in need, which NSN is well positioned to deliver against. By doing this it can help change lives for better at scale and that’s something that I’m excited to be a part of.”
“I’ve struggled. My wife’s struggled. I’ve seen friends struggle, and neighbours and colleagues too. And when you’re in those struggles, deciding to seek help can be a big step. But navigating the noise of online information can knock you right back.
Information is, after all, only as useful as its curation. If we can close the gap between people in need, and the people that can help, then we can start to ease some of those struggles. And that’s something to be excited about.”
Information is, after all, only as useful as its curation. If we can close the gap between people in need, and the people that can help, then we can start to ease some of those struggles. And that’s something to be excited about.”
Robbie Dale
NSN Non-Executive Director
