Meet Our Patron and Trustees
Our Patron
We are honoured that The Lord-Lieutenant Robert Voss CBE CStJ accepted the position of Patron of Electric Umbrella. Robert gives invaluable support in advocating for us, representing our work and what we stand for across Hertfordshire, and helping us achieve our goals.
“It is a huge honour to have been invited to become the Patron of Electric Umbrella. Having attended a number of events and sessions with these wonderful people I had absolutely no hesitation in accepting Mel’s offer and I get immense pleasure from not only watching their shows but even joining in. The impact they make on audiences at shows and workshops across Hertfordshire and beyond, proves there is “No such thing as Normal”.
Robert Voss CBE CStJ
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire
Our Trustees
The Electric Umbrella Board of Trustees is composed of committed people who oversee our operations and ensure we stay true to our mission. With their diverse backgrounds and expertise, they help us navigate challenges and seize opportunities to expand our impact.
Sue Clark
Chair
Aside from Electric Umbrella Sue is the Senior Independent Director (a Non-Executive Director position), of three FTSE 100 listed companies and prior to that was European Managing Director for a global beer business. She is a Trustee of two other local Charities and has been on the Board of Herriot Watt Business School.
“It is a privilege to be Chair of Electric Umbrella at this exciting time. It is a unique organisation with an infectious passion and energy that runs through everything! I hope I can bring some of the experience that I have gained through a career in commercial business to help the organisation grow and develop to the benefit of all our members and change the way the world thinks about disability.
Electric Umbrella has so many opportunities and the challenge for the team is to focus on the areas where we can make the biggest difference and have the most fun!”
Lyle Aitken
Treasurer
Lyle is a retired chartered accountant. Following a career in financial management in physical commodity trades and international finance, for several years he was financial controller of Africa Ahead, a UK charity promoting personal health and sanitation practice in rural communities in Sub-Saharan and Southern Africa.
Kate Holland- Hibbert
Trustee
Kate is a family girl at heart with four grown up children. Kate started married life as a Montessori teacher in London and then moved to Munden on the outskirts of Watford in Hertfordshire, where she now co-manages a diverse rural agricultural and property business with her husband, Henry.
Kate has been involved in the VCSE sector for as long as she has lived in Hertfordshire, starting with the NSPCC. Being an original team member for the Keech Braveherts appeal, Kate is now an ambassador to Keech Hospice Care and an ambassador for the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital (CCH). Kate was made a Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire in 2019.
“If music is the spice of life, then Electric Umbrella is good for the soul. I am thrilled to have been asked to join the party. Becoming a trustee to such an inspirational charity will certainly spice up my life and will be a new string to my bow…. bring it on!”
Simon Putman
Trustee
Simon has been a Primary Head Teacher for 16 years and in education for over 30 years – he has a passionate interest in championing inclusion and equity.
“When I first came across Electric Umbrella and saw how their fantastic online Music Machine broadcasts enthralled and excited my SEN children I had to book an Express Crew visit.
The impact of the work Electric Umbrella has had on my school community has been immeasurable and empowering. Classes were inclusive anyway but now even more so and the whole school has wholeheartedly embraced the ethos of ‘There’s No Such Thing as Normal’.
I just had to get involved with this inspirational charity so here I am, a proud trustee!”
Chris Luff MBE
Trustee
For the last 38 years Chris has worked predominantly in business development and investment, building teams, business plans and value propositions for sometimes very complex technologies. Before that Chris was a heating engineer and plumber …but he found it too draining!
Chris’ approach to anything is the same: keep it simple to understand and prove its value in whatever you are doing.
“Most of my working career and life has been spent challenging the norm, so I love the mission of challenging perceptions and there is no better way than by using music, song and dance to do so!
Now more than ever do the words ‘THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS NORMAL’ make so much sense.”
Paul Lewis
Trustee
Paul is an international marketing consultant and executive with over 30 years experience in the movie industry, working with companies including Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment, DreamWorks, LAIKA Animation, Warner Bros, and Eon Productions (the makers of James Bond movies).
He has also Chaired the Board of Governors at a Special School, where during his time a charitable foundation was founded, and has worked on a number of projects with Chickenshed Theatre Company, which has been an integral party of Lewis family life for over 20 years now. He’s thrilled to be able to use his combined experience of the entertainment industry and the charity sector, to help take Electric Umbrella forward.
Most recently, Paul was Head of Marketing and Partnerships for Electric Umbrella, joining the board on his retirement from that role. His involvement with Electric Umbrella also stretches back some years before that, as a parent of EU member Max Lewis.
Meena Hansen
Trustee
Previously, Meena has worked in the aviation industry, enhancing customer relations and revenue management. Meena’s professional life saw her family being transferred to various locations across Asia and the Middle East, bringing with it many opportunities to immerse in different cultures, but also the many challenges of constantly being uprooted, especially with a child with special educational needs. This experience opened Meena’s eyes to the various challenges our special children face and the advocacy required to support their learning and life experiences.
“Our family was first introduced to Electric Umbrella during lockdown cyber sessions and the impact and joy it brings to our son, Christian, has been life changing for him and to the family as a whole. Electric Umbrella has provided Chris with uplifting music, lifelong friendships, and a caring and nurturing environment that fosters personal growth and self esteem. We are so delighted to witness his development that has been a direct result of these enriching experiences and are forever grateful to be a part of this wonderful charity.
I am delighted to bring my prior experiences and learning into supporting a charity like Electric Umbrella who keep their special members at the very core of all their endeavours and I look forward to being a part of such a dynamic and impactful team.”
Adina Collins
Trustee
Adina is a trained art teacher with ten years of experience, and has always had a deep connection with those who are learning disabled. From a young age, Adina never shared the societal concerns about interacting with or working alongside people with learning disabilities. During her teacher training, Adina realised her passion for working in SEN settings. In 2017, she joined Kisharon Noé School, a school with a mission to deeply enrich and enhance the educational opportunities available to the learning disabled community.
Adina started off as a class teacher, and her dedication led to her promotion to deputy headteacher in 2022. Recently, in June 2024, Adina was honoured to be appointed as headteacher. Alongside her professional journey, Adina is currently completing an MBA in Strategic Leadership to further enhance her skills. Adina considers herself a leadership nerd, and is often found trawling recent Ted Talks and publication for inspirational leadership and sharing this with those who she works with.
“I learned about Electric Umbrella, and their initiatives that I greatly admire, through enjoying participating in their workshops at school. It as an absolute honour and privilege to be part of the trustees of EU and I strive to ensure that my expertise in education can be used to drive this fantastic organisation and their endeavours forward.”
Toby Sutherland
Trustee
Toby has been the Headteacher of St Clement Danes secondary school, Chorleywood, for the last eight years. Prior to that he was Deputy Headteacher at Queens’ School, Bushey. Toby has been a teacher for 26 years. He currently serves as the Chair for Challenge Partners Education Advisory Group, a national education charity dedicated to closing the educational gap for disadvantaged pupils.
Whilst a pupil at Merchant Taylor’s School, Northwood, some years ago, Toby was privileged to be a part of the PHAB (Physically Handicapped Able Bodied) Programme in his two years in the Sixth form. This formative experience was instrumental in a lifelong commitment to inclusion.
Anjula Prabhakar
Trustee
Anjula has spent over 25 years working in reward and pensions, and what matters most to her has always been people, especially those whose voices are too often overlooked. As a parent of a child with special needs, she has long understood the importance of inclusion and opportunity, and this lived experience has shaped both her values and her leadership.
Professionally, Anjula is Global Reward and Pensions Director at a FTSE 50 company, where she leads global reward strategy and advises the Board on executive remuneration and governance. Her personal commitment to inclusion is reflected in her role as co‑sponsor of the company’s DiverseAbility network, where she works to champion disabled and neurodiverse colleagues.
“I was drawn to Electric Umbrella because their joyful, creative approach to inclusion mirrors what I believe in as a parent and as a leader. It’s a privilege to support an organisation that celebrates difference so wholeheartedly, and I hope my experience in governance and people strategy can help strengthen their mission.”
The Impact Electric Umbrella Has
The Impact Electric Umbrella Has
Our members tell us that the most important thing about Electric Umbrella is friendship and belonging.
For members like William, Electric Umbrella has made an enormous difference as he has found what he describes as “family”. Your support makes this possible.
Watch William’s story to see how our activities and community make a significant difference.
Video: William’s Electric Umbrella journey.
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