Our Lady of Grace Parish Buildings Preservation Trust

Sam Gannon serves as Chair of the Trust, bringing business leadership and financial consultancy experience to the board. Prior to his current role in the renewable energy sector, Gannon worked as a consultant in the finance sector, developing skills in financial analysis, risk assessment, and strategic planning.

Working Groups: Chairs Communications (stakeholder communications, social media, website, press relations). Also serves on Legal and Fundraising Working Groups.

Shirley Bigwood serves as Vice Chair with a background in international banking at the Bank of Montreal and Barclays Bank PLC. At Barclays International Banking, she managed a portfolio of international clients as a Relationship Manager, advising on investment, lending, and tax matters.

Born locally and educated at the Assumption Convent School and The Ursuline Convent, Blackheath, Bigwood has longstanding ties to the parish. Her three children attended Our Lady of Grace Catholic Primary School, as have three grandchildren. She serves as a catechist and Parish Council member.

Working Groups: Chairs Community (volunteer coordination, local fundraising, community engagement). Also serves on Communications Working Group.

Michael Trousdell is Director at WSP, serving as Head of Sustainability for the UK Property and Buildings department. A Cambridge-educated mechanical engineer with over 25 years of experience, he leads sustainability services across architecture, structural engineering, building services, and energy consulting.

His heritage experience includes the Warner Stand project at Lord's Cricket Ground, adjacent to the Grade II* Listed Pavilion, where he delivered the first all-electric stand. His portfolio includes work on listed buildings and heritage properties, demonstrating understanding of conservation standards and requirements.

Working Groups: Chairs Buildings & Technical (assessment, repair planning, cost analysis, procurement). Also serves on Fundraising and Financial Working Groups.

Nuala Gray serves as Administrative and Finance Officer at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Primary School, Charlton. Her role encompasses financial administration, budget management, and regulatory compliance within the Archdiocese of Southwark education system.

Gray's experience managing school budgets provides practical knowledge of charity finance regulations, audit requirements, and transparent financial reporting. Her understanding of grant management and funding compliance within the education sector applies directly to heritage project financial oversight.

Working Groups: Chairs Financial (budget consolidation, financial controls, monitoring, reporting). Also serves on Legal Working Group.

Alfonso Padro RIBA is Co-Founder and Director of ATPA Ltd, bringing over 20 years of architectural experience. Previously Principal at HKS Architects London office, he specialises in community-focused architecture with experience in educational and heritage-sensitive design.

Padro's professional engagement includes appointments as Awards Panel Chair for the World Architecture Festival and RIBA London Awards. He serves as Trustee of Canary Wharf College and Ambassador for the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, demonstrating commitment to educational excellence and community benefit.

Working Groups: Serves on Buildings & Technical, Financial, and Communications Working Groups.

Sean Small serves as Headteacher of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Primary School in Charlton. Under his leadership, the school maintains an Ofsted rating of "Outstanding," demonstrating his capability in managing educational institutions.

Small's experience with school building development projects and infrastructure improvements provides practical knowledge of managing construction and renovation works within operational educational settings. His networks within the Catholic education system provide valuable channels for stakeholder consultation.

Working Groups: Serves on Buildings & Technical and Community Working Groups.

Eleanor Glogowska brings 11 years of experience working in community engagement and fundraising for CAFOD (The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development). Her background encompasses developing fundraising strategies, managing donor relationships, and securing major gifts.

She has worked across Trusts and Foundations, Major Donor and Corporate fundraising, gaining experience in proposal and report writing as well as grant management relevant to heritage preservation funding.

Working Groups: Chairs Fundraising (major grants, strategic initiatives, corporate sponsorship). Also serves on Community Working Group.

Nadia Gracias is a Solicitor at Simmons & Simmons LLP. Dual-qualified as both a Solicitor in England and Wales and an Advocate in India, she brings legal expertise to the trust's governance.

Gracias holds a Master's degree in International Commercial Law from the University of Cambridge. Her specialisation includes international commercial law, regulatory compliance, and contractual frameworks. Her experience with complex transactions supports the trust in maintaining legal compliance whilst navigating heritage regulations.

Working Groups: Chairs Legal (property transfer, governance, canonical matters, agreements). Also serves on Communications Working Group.

Susanna Kiguwa brings a combination of scientific background and educational leadership. As a Science practitioner with 25 years of teaching experience in inner city schools across London and North Carolina, she offers insights into community education and engagement.

Kiguwa's 12-year medical research career includes positions at the University of Cambridge (genetics), King's College London (oncology), and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (virology). This scientific background contributes to the trust's evidence-based approach to heritage preservation planning.

Working Groups: Serves on Financial and Community Working Groups.