Staff Biographies
Zandria Pauncefort
Chief Executive Officer
Zandria has previously worked as a consultant on strategy, change management, communications and organisational development projects in the public, private and voluntary sectors. She has a particular interest in social, economic and health issues, and was author of the 1993 report "Communities at Risk", and the follow-up report "Communities in Crisis", published in 2000. She is the author of one book and a number of reports on health related issues. A former Director of a national charity (The Family Planning Association) and Director of the UK-wide FPA-HEC government-funded personal and social health information service, she acted as UK Director of the US Guttmacher Institute's 37 country study of young people in the 1980s. Earlier experience was also gained with Unilever (public affairs) and in a business agency / journalism (trade journal associate editor).
Other recent consultancy projects have included work and reports for the Industrial Society, the Community Foundation movement, Local Agenda 21 and the development of a 10-year rural development area strategy for the Rural Development Commission, working as Director of a team from the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester.
Before joining the the Institute Zandria was Vice Chair of the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust.
Bernie Flanagan
Director, Democracy through Citizenship
Bernie joined the Institute in 2002. He has a background in special education, youth work and community and social work for both statutory and voluntary agencies. He most recently worked with The Children's Society undertaking research and training on the needs of disabled young people and promoting rights and participation.
Becky Hatch
Projects Manager, Citizenship Education
Becky Hatch is Project Manager of the Institute's Education projects. She is currently running a project raising awareness of the work of the GLA in secondary schools and overseeing this year's Mayor's Question Time for schools and colleges. Her background is in promoting public involvement and active citizenship, and she was previously Research Fellow in Democracy and Public Invovlement at the Institute for Public Policy Research. She is interested in developing new ways for the public to get involved in decision-making and has a degree in English from Cambridge University.
Damien Gilchrist
Projects Manager, European and World Citizenship
Damien joined the Institute in 2004 following spells working in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and as a Research Assistant to a backbench MP. He graduated from Edinburgh University in 2003 with a Masters degree in Philosophy and Politics, and plans to return to university in the not-too-distant future. He currently manages Speak Out! on European Citizenship, A Vision of Europe, and the Mayor's Question Time projects.
Catherine Reid
PA to the Director, Democracy through Citizenship
Catherine joined the Institute in 2002. Her career began in the legal field and then moved into HR function in the oil industry in Aberdeen. Catherine returned to work after a career break, most recently at the University of York looking after the welfare needs of students of one of the eight colleges.
Chris Smith
Financial Controller
Chris is responsible for the financial affairs of the Institute, including budgets, management accounts, financial statements, project planning, payroll and pensions. He is also Company Secretary to the Board. Chris was formerly the Policy and Development Director at Milton Keynes Borough Council. Prior to that he was Finance Director for Milton Keynes and had previously worked for local authorities in this country and overseas. In addition, Chris has served as a non-executive Director of the Milton Keynes General Hospital NHS Trust, and as a Trustee and Treasurer of the Bletchley Park Trust.