Helen’s priority is to ensure BAAs services are seamlessly delivered to families and schools, overseeing the overall capacity of the team and ensuring the highest level of quality.

Prior to joining us, Helen owned her own manufacturing business, a water-based paint company. She is a qualified Management Accountant and has recently completed and ILM in Coaching and Mentoring and a Level 7 Certificate in Sustainable Leadership.

Helen lives in North Wales with her active and sporty family. Outside work Helen loves walking Lexi, her Cockapoo, yoga and watching cricket. Helen has a passion for learning, particularly relating to coaching, mentoring and finance.

Therese has over 20 years of experience in accountancy, internal audit and grant management and has worked across a diverse range of sectors including private practice, non-profits and charities.

She loves meeting with families and helping them through the bursary process, knowing that for many, this opportunity will lead to a generational shift and feels honoured to be part of that journey.

Alongside her role at BAA, Therese runs mental wellbeing and resilience courses for young people who are care experienced or at risk, helping them to uncover their innate resilience to overcome the unique obstacles and challenges they face in life.

Therese lives near Glasgow and loves music, dance and theatre.

Ceri is Wendy’s right-hand woman in the office, processing all the bursary application forms and making sure that the correct information is included. She will always pick up the phone to anyone who is struggling with the process and point them in the right direction.

Ceri comes to work to escape her crazy three children, husband and guinea pigs that await her at home. She has a background of supporting families in the Youth Justice System and comes to us from working in the public sector for the past 20 years. Ceri is well versed in the challenges that can affect people in life and therefore is well placed to support any struggling families through the process. She also keeps the cups of tea flowing!

In her free time Ceri tries to keep fit and enjoys bike rides with the family and holidays in the UK and further afield. She also likes walking, fresh air and can be regularly found reorganising and decorating her house!

Chirag is a Chartered Certified Accountant with over 20 years’ experience in finance and operational roles. He now finds great reward in helping families navigate the bursary process and supporting children to access opportunities they may not otherwise have had.

Chirag brings empathy, financial insight, and a strong sense of purpose to his role, helping ensure each family receives a fair and balanced assessment.

Based in North London, he is a lifelong Arsenal fan and enjoys watching matches with his son whenever possible. Outside of work, he volunteers at a local independent charity that raises funds to help individuals access high-quality mental health care — a cause he believes is vital in today’s world.

Gemma has 20 years of finance experience, including running her own high street practice. In 2018 she was awarded as a finalist Licensed Member of the Year and highly commended by her professional body for her personable approach.  Gemma enjoys the variety involved in meeting all of our different families and hearing about their experiences.

In her spare time Gemma is a netball player, coach, and umpire.  When she’s not netballing or reading she enjoys spending time with her children, step-children, and two labradors.  Gemma is originally from the midlands but now lives in rural Devon amongst rolling countryside and close to our glorious beaches.