Meet The Team

Derek A. Bardowell is a writer, CEO of Ten Years’ Time, and a Knowledge Equity Fellow at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

Derek started his career in journalism. He has written for The Times, The Guardian, Time Out, and British GQ, contributed to anthologies such as Companion to Contemporary Black British Culture and The Weeklings: Revolution #1, and appeared regularly on BBC radio. After teaching in HMP Wormwood Scrubs, Derek moved into the non-profit sector. He directed award-winning youth programmes for the Stephen Lawrence Trust and co-founded the Project Subway journalism programme for Children’s Express (now called Headliners). From 2009 to 2019, Derek led funding portfolios for Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Laureus Sport for Good, and the National Lottery Community Fund. He has been responsible for managing over £150 million to good causes in 34 countries. Derek’s first book, No Win Race (Mudlark/HarperCollins 2019), explored race and racism in modern Britain through the lens of sport. It was a Sunday Times and Financial Times Book of the Year in 2019, shortlisted for Non-Fiction Book of the Year at the Indie Book Awards and longlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award.

Derek is currently working on a new book on reimagining philanthropy called Outsiders Within for Dialogue Books/Little, Brown Book Group. He hosts the podcast Just Cause, exploring the intersections of race, culture, and social justice and he is a founding member of Future Foundations UK, which supports minoritised racial groups who work in philanthropy. Derek is a Thirty Percy Foundation trustee, a member of the Baobab Foundation advisory group, and a Churchill Fellow.

If I had £500k … I would support the visions of alternative systems and futures by Black intersectional feminists.

How I joined Ten Years’ Time: I became the CEO in May 2021, but I have been involved in Ten Years’ work, in various guises, since its inception.

What gets me up in the morning: I’d like to say a good book but, in truth, it’s normally the latest scores from the National Basketball Association.

Ask me about: racial justice, hope, community changemakers, my mum’s cooking, golden age hip-hop and Columbo.

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Angela is Managing Director at Ten Years Time and takes a lead on all UK social change work, provides coaching and management for the staff team and helps develop the business.

Angela has spent 20 years working in health and social care services, primarily within mental health third sector organisations. Before joining Ten Years Time, she was the Director for Service User Involvement at Together for Mental Wellbeing where she was responsible for ensuring that the lived experience of people using mental health services and experiencing distress influenced the organisation at all levels in addition to the wider mental health landscape. She was also responsible for the development of a national peer support network that ensured almost 700 people struggling with their mental health were supported by others who really know and understand what it’s like based on their own experiences and insights. Angela was a member of the Advisory Group of the National Involvement Partnership to develop best practice standards in service user and carer involvement that have widely adopted across health and social care services.

Angela has developed and delivered two accredited training programmes and established an award-winning service user led training programme to reduce stigma and discrimination about mental health issues. Angela has a wealth of experience of working across statutory, private and third sector organisations and speaks at national conferences and events about the importance of lived experience to transform people’s lives and the services they access.

Angela has also served as a Trustee and volunteered as a befriender, both of which have been invaluable and enjoyable experiences.

Angela studied an undergraduate degree in Biology and Applied Social Studies at Keele University and has since been awarded an undergraduate Diploma in Voluntary Sector Management from Edge Hill University.

If I had £500,000… I would spend it on supporting and strengthening service user led organisations that are tragically disappearing at an alarming rate. I would create leadership programmes that bring together lived experience leaders with a more traditional set of leaders in social care to enable those with the purse strings to truly understand the experiences of those facing multiple challenges in society. That way, more user led organisations would be established and be able to thrive, whilst those that are now extinct could be brought back to play a pivitol role in making the world a better place for everybody.

How I joined Ten Years’ Time: After spending quite a while working for a medium sized national mental health charity, I wanted to bring my skills, knowledge and experience to a smaller, niche organisation that challenged traditional ways of thinking and working. I believe mental health issues are inextricably linked to social issues and you can’t look at one without the other. I was really excited when I came across the work of Ten Years’ Time and even more excited when I was offered the post – I think it’s the perfect match for me!

What gets me up in the morning: In the Spring and Summer I love listening to the birds sing as it gets lighter, before I have my morning coffee and start the day. In the Autumn and Winter, I have to set my alarm (often snoozing it several times)!

Ask me about: Why lived experience is invaluable and how organisations need to see this as an essential element of their work, travelling the world and eating tasty food.

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Poonam is a Senior Social Justice Consultant at Ten Years’ Time, helping our clients to become much better informed about the issues that are most important to them; ultimately transforming what they support and how they do this with the resources that they have.

Before joining Ten Years’ Time, Poonam spent over twenty years in the corporate sector, working in various marketing, research, and customer experience leadership roles, for brands such as KPMG, M&S, E.ON, Npower, and Legal & General. Although corporate life equipped Poonam with a range of valuable skills and the opportunity to learn from and work with amazing people, as her career progressed, she became increasingly disillusioned with the profit over purpose mentality prevalent in the sector, as well as the significant lack of diversity amongst senior leadership teams.

In 2019, Poonam made the decision to transition to the Third Sector and was awarded a place on the _SocialStarters programme; an intensive learning and practical experience programme specifically designed for people seeking to transition to the Third Sector. During her time with _SocialStarters, Poonam worked with the 4Front Project; a criminal and racial justice social enterprise. This was a life-changing experience and one that cemented her decision to use her skills to accelerate and amplify the impact of purpose-led organisations. Since then, and alongside her work with Ten Years’ Time, Poonam has gone on to work with organisations addressing modern slavery, fuel poverty, and the mental wellbeing of young people; helping to develop their organisational and communications strategies.

If I had £500,000…I would use it to develop and deliver bespoke training for grassroots organisations, with an emphasis on the strategic skills that can help them accelerate and amplify their impact. My experience so far has taught me that the structure and frameworks of the business world, when married with the passion and drive of lived experience leaders, can lead to transformational change.

How I joined Ten Years’ Time: I came across Ten Years’ Time a few years ago when I was educating myself about how Third Sector finances work, and I’ve yet to come across another organisation like them. Their approach is disruptive and brings fresh thinking around how philanthropy can and should work. I followed their work periodically and when I saw they were looking for a new addition to the team, I jumped at the chance to work with them.

What gets me up in the morning: Since embarking on a new career, each day excites me. There’s so much opportunity in the unknown!

Ask me about: How to change careers without compromise, and how to pack a suitcase like a pro!

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Maxine is a public speaker, and Senior Social Justice Consultant at Ten Years’ Time. Beginning her work in the student movement, she aims to amplify marginalised voices and preserve the authenticity of these contributions. Maxine has spoken for: the European Network on Anti-Racism, Westminster Briefing, Universities UK among others. She has also contributed to a Guardian article on anti-racism in Higher Education.

Her work in Black liberation and anti-racism has led to Maxine being recognised as a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts in 2021. Her work using the arts as a tool to empower the local community led to her being awarded a Diana Award in 2013.
Maxine has a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from SOAS and won the Titmuss Prize for Best Performance in her Masters degree (MSc) in International Social and Public Policy from the London School of Economics (2021). Her masters dissertation asked ‘To What Extent Can the Equality Act 2010 Be Considered A Radical Act, Contributing to Black Liberation and Recognition in Britain?’

If I had £500,000… I would develop an Arts Centre with music, dance and painting studios. The space would be open for local youth to use for free with regular performances for the local community. The purpose of the space would be for young people to express themselves using their chosen art form, mingle with likeminded people, and take up space unapologetically.

How I joined Ten Years’ Time: A friend of mine (who I respect and admire) was working for Ten Years’ Time. I felt a spark of joy when he advertised my role on LinkedIn and I had to apply!

What gets me up in the morning: The belief deep in my spirit that today can be even better than yesterday and that we have the power to make it so.

Ask me about: Black liberation as an intergenerational pursuit; the importance of optimism, hope and joy; as well as the masterpiece that is Shonda Rhimes’ Scandal.

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Amel is a Social Justice Researcher at Ten Years’ Time, working on social justice with a particular focus on racial equity.

Amel graduated with a BSc in Political Economy at King’s College London. Here she took a particular interest in Black intersectional feminism, which informed her thesis on the underrepresentation of Black women in UK Parliament. She explored the ways in which using an intersectional lens can aid policy recommendations to help increase levels of equity. Intersectionality typically investigates the implications of the overlap between gender and race. However, as a working theory, it can be applied to many identities, such as class, sexuality, religion, disability and more. Under such a lens, she believes it becomes clear that many issues cannot be remedied in isolation as intersecting identities mean that the most vulnerable are disproportionately impacted. By applying an intersectional lens and working from the margins to the centre when addressing issues, more equitable solutions can be found for all.

Prior to this, Amel worked in the field of Investor Relations, liaising with clients to find ways to increase their reach.

If I had £500,000…I would set up a mobile food truck for the unhoused that offers professional support to rehouse them, as well as a friendly ear. This is something that is often overlooked by those offering to get food for the unhoused, perhaps not accounting for dietary requirements and/or simple dislikes, which can be dehumanising. I believe that being able to choose the food you eat is a small but impactful way to maintain agency and restore community participation of the unhoused.

I would also set up a support network for Black and Brown young people within the education system due to the systemic failings that they face. This support network would allow for the young people to fully access the benefits of the schooling system and advocate on their behalf.

On a more trivial note, I would buy a family house back in Eritrea and take a really really long holiday in a hot country, I’m not too sure of the destination yet!

How I joined Ten Years’ Time: I came across the mission statement of Ten Years’ Time and was surprised to see an organisation dedicated to making tangible changes. This came at a great time as I had started to carry a pessimistic outlook on the changes that could be made to the systems which we live in. It was heartwarming to see that Ten Years’ Time choose optimism and innovative approaches to challenge existing traditional structures. This aligned perfectly with my desire to aid the transition to a more equitable future for all.

What gets me up in the morning: The thought of a good breakfast and a hot beverage (I switch between English Breakfast, Earl Grey and a Vanilla Latte), blue skies, the sun and a stellar playlist or podcast.

Ask me about: Why intersectionality may be the most important critical lens, self taught coding skills and electronic/alternative RnB (namely Kelela, she’s amazing!)

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Emily was a journalist for five years, writing for The Guardian, Observer, OpenDemocracy, Vogue, WIRED, New York Magazine, BBC, and many more. She appeared on the Today Programme, Woman’s Hour and Newstalk, and was a guest editor on 5 Live. In 2018, she was DIVA Magazine’s Journalist of the Year, and her book, A Beginner’s Guide To Losing Your Mind, came out with Hodder and Stoughton in 2017.

Emily’s work now focuses largely on mental health. She works at national Mind within the Peer Support and Communities team and as a Lived Experience Designer, at Mind in Haringey on suicide prevention, at the Violence, Abuse and Mental Health Network, and with many other organisations on one-off projects. She is completing an MA and will be starting a PhD in October 2022; her research focuses on subjectivity, knowledge and labour in the context of mental health. She is a trustee of two user-led organisations: the National Survivor User Network and Disability Action Haringey.

If I had £500,000…I would invest in projects that join up user-led mental health organisations with grassroots organisations run by and for other marginalised communities. There is such a strong link between other struggles – anti-imperialism, anti-racism, feminism, trans rights, and others – and that of those with experience of mental ill-health or distress, and working together can only make us stronger. I would also invest in community groups that work on abolition in the criminal justice system and challenge repressive policing practices.

How I joined Ten Years’ Time: I work with Ten Years‘ Time on a freelance basis, and have been lucky enough to help out with a range of projects that have both drawn on my existing passions and taught me really interesting things about subjects I didn’t know much about.

What gets me up in the morning: A drive to act in solidarity with others (and fifteen different alarms).

Ask me about: Lived experience, radical psychotherapy, the latest terrible Spurs score, or Al Pacino - my first lockdown project was watching every one of his films.

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Dean is a graduate of the 2027 Associates Programme, completing a 12-month placement managing grants at BBC Children in Need. He now forms part of the team behind the programme, playing his role in changing the face of grant-giving and social investment.

Dean primarily leads the recruitment of hosts for the 2027 Associates Programme and participants for the Grant Givers‘ Programme through his work at Ten Years’ Time. He has also supported the recruitment of hosts for Charityworks at Koreo and freelanced for the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, working on their Ideas and Pioneers Fund.

Dean previously worked in financial services for Santander and Tesco Bank but has extensive experience in community work, mostly through volunteering.

Whilst working at Tesco Bank, Dean won two annual national awards in the No One Tries Harder for Customers and Community Champion categories. He was also twice a shortlisted finalist in the Excellence in Learning and Manager of the Year categories.

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Sally is Finance Manager of Ten Years’ Time and has worked as an accountant in the charity sector for over ten years.

Prior to Ten Years’ Time she worked for Women Living Under Muslim Laws, The Foundling Museum and Parenting UK.

She is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and started her career at KPMG in 1977. She currently works for Ten Years’ Time on a part-time basis.

If I had £500,000… I would use it to buy a woodland to preserve an endangered landscape and the flora and fauna within it.

How I joined Ten Years’ Time: I was already working for the Social Investment Consultancy (the parent company of Ten Years’ Time) and became involved that way.

What gets me up in the morning: A cup of tea and or a sunny day..

Ask me about: My family, reading, theatre, gardening and Pembrokeshire

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Dr. Rebekah Delsol is an experienced leader, programme manager, researcher and coach, with a passion for driving social change and supporting transformation. She is the Director of Strategy for Healing Justice London.

Rebekah previously worked for the Open Society Justice Initiative, as a senior programme manager, working on racial justice issues. Rebekah developed and managed the Open Society Justice Initiatives’ Fair and Effective Policing (FEP) project, focused on building community and civil society capacity to challenge racial profiling, research and strategic litigation and changing structures and cultures in police institutions globally. Rebekah also provided strategic leadership on the Inclusion, Equity and Well-being (IEW) initiative for the Justice Initiative.

Rebekah is founding member and trustee of the charity StopWatch, a coalition that uses research and action to promote fair and accountable policing.

Rebekah holds a PhD. from the University of Warwick based on a comparative study exploring institutional racism in stop and search practices in the UK and US. She has written and presented widely on stop and search, racism, equality and policing and recently co-wrote Challenging Ethnic Profiling in Europe: A Guide for Campaigners and Organizers (OSF, 2021), Stop Data Recording: Methods and ’ Issues (OSF, 2020), The Colour of Injustice: ‘Race,’ Drugs and Law Enforcement in England and Wales (StopWatch, 2018) and Stop and Search: The Anatomy of a Police Power (Palgrave, 2015).

Rebekah is a qualified leadership coach, working with individuals, boards and teams from corporate, third sector organisations and movement leaders focusing on leadership, governance and organisational dynamics. She is passionate about using coaching to support growth, change and connection to accelerate social impact.

If I had £500,000… I would support community health programmes and space for visioning alternative health/security systems.

How I joined Ten Years’ Time: I have a friend at TYT and always admired the work they do. I was thrilled to be asked to work on the Trustee Coaching programme, as it combines my experience of working in philanthropy with passion for using coaching to support social change.

What gets me up in the morning: Usually, my seven-year-old twins, yelling “mum” at the top of their voices at about 5.30am!

Ask me about: Racial justice, stop and search, abolition, yin yoga, joy, my twins or art deco architecture.