Management team
CEO: Alexandra Thompson
Alex joined GASP as Chief Executive Officer in August 2019 following roles at SATRO and Royal Society Mencap. Alex has a wealth of experience working with corporate organisations, schools and local stakeholders, facilitating joined up working and realising shared goals. She is keen to develop and grow GASP in order to provide opportunities for more young people to participate in the highly successful programmes we offer.
Operations Manager: Lucy Weber
Lucy joined GASP in July 2022. Having previously worked at Jubilee High School, Lucy has a wealth of educational experience, particularly focused on those with SEND and alternative educational needs. Lucy has been bringing students to GASP for over five years. Prior to education, Lucy had an extensive career at senior management level within Facilities Management.
Office team
Fundraising and Business Manager: Moyra Matravers
Moyra joined the GASP team in January 2023 following over 20 years of fundraising in the third sector across Surrey. Most recently she spent 10 years as Head of Fundraising at Oakleaf Enterprise, leading a small team, whilst specialising in bid-writing. Moyra is thrilled to have the opportunity to increase GASP’s income at a time of operational growth, helping the charity to benefit a growing number of young people.
Programme Coordinator and Schools Liaison: Laura Lloyd
Laura joined GASP in March 2023 and has several years’ experience in administration including quality assurance of policies and procedures, staff training and much more. Laura is hugely passionate about young people’s education and is committed to reaching out to schools and other education services within Surrey to ensure their young people can access the alternative provision GASP offers.
Executive Assistant: Sam Jones
Sam joined the GASP team in 2021 and assists Alex with the day to day administration tasks of running GASP. Sam brings to the team experience from both the corporate and education sectors. Having worked in mainstream education, Sam has first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing schools and their pupils. She understands the needs of young people and the value alternative provision gives. Sam’s work experience includes Media Relations, Marketing, Office Management and Finance.
Delivery team
Session Leader: Howard James
Howard joined the GASP team in 2013 and leads the delivery of our mobile programme which takes the GASP programme across the county and delivers our onsite courses to schools, youth centres, referral units and centres for young adults. Howard trained as a mechanical engineer at the MOD, with a specialism in precision instrument making. Howard has a background in development and field service engineering, in both the public and private sectors. He is also a fully qualified British Gliding Association Instructor, and teaches people how to fly, including the disabled. In his spare time Howard enjoys playing badminton.
Session Instructor: Simon Boyden
Simon joined the GASP team in 2015 and assists in the delivery of both mobile and workshop sessions. His mechanical expertise stems from his interest in maintaining and repairing cars as a hobby. He has engaged with and instructed youth in his spare time for four decades as an ATC, RAFGSA and Full Cat BGA gliding instructor and holds a PPL. He was a Scout Leader for over 15 years, moving up through the sections with his children. He has held various voluntary roles such as PTA Chair and Treasurer. Simons career background was investment banking financial services IT where he spent two decades working in London.
Session Instructor: Richard Seymour
Richard joined the GASP team in April 2021 and helps deliver sessions in the workshop. He started his career in 1978 as an apprentice mechanic at a local Ford dealership before moving to Toyota to work as a Technician in their Technical Department in 1990. In 2010 he moved to the Toyota Press Department as a Product and Technical Specialist. Richard has been involved in many roles including preparation of cars for the press, assisting with driving events, supporting motor shows, providing product information, and maintaining and driving the cars. During his career he has also taught a Formula One driver how to drive one of Toyota’s special cars, competed in the Toyota MR2 motorsport championship and driven a car with wheels made of ice. Richard currently supports film crews with vehicle management, driving and special projects. In his spare time he enjoys restoring old cars and motorbikes, cycling, table tennis and the theatre.
Session Instructor: Gus Ferenczy
Gus joined GASP in January 2024 has a life-long interest in all things engineering through his family background, and many years of running and maintaining classic cars, motorcycles and bicycles to the present day. Gus has had a distinguished career in the military, initially as a pilot, and then as an intelligence officer. He then moved into law and became a Senior Lecturer at the University of Law, before establishing his own consultancy business. More recently Gus was Director of the Bike Project, a charity specialising in providing skills and employment pathway opportunities for young and learning impaired people not in work or full-time education. He is also a qualified ski instructor, RYA powerboat instructor, ECB cricket and FA football coach, and ran his local Scouts Group for many years. Gus is passionate about providing young people with opportunities for learning and personal and social development.
Evening team
Evening Instructor: Steve Randell
Steve joined GASP as a volunteer in March 2023 and helps run the Wednesday evening sessions alongside Andy and Darren. Steve is a fully qualified aircraft instrument maker (multi trade machinist and fitter) apprentice trained at the MOD, have run engineering companies doing work ranging from aircraft components to seat heaters, racing car part manufactures and specialist boring bars. Steve set up is own plumbing and building company 20 years ago.