Trustees

Trustees

Sim Scavazza – Chairman

Sim became a Trustee for the Mentor in 2005 and was voted in as Chair of the Board in March 2007.

In a career of 20-plus years, Sim has worked for some of the most successful retailers in the UK, including River Island, Next and French Connection.

In 2003 Sim became brand director of Miss Selfridge and in November 2005 she was voted by Drapers as one of the most influential people in UK fashion retail.

Currently working as a Creative Consultant, Sim helps global retail businesses in areas such as product development; creative direction, brand positioning and marketing. Sim is also an associate of Quarto Advisors, a retail turnaround specialist.

Sim is also involved in such events as the Women of Achievement Ambassadors Programme, bringing together school students with award- winning women in business, media and the professions. An active member of the Fashion Business Club and Coutts Woman, Sim supports women in business and enterprise everywhere, through her contacts and membership of everywoman.com

Sir Jack Stewart Clark – Trustee

Sir Jack Stewart-Clark is presently chairman and owner of Dundas Castle Ltd. From 1979 to 1999 he was a member of the European Parliament. During this time he headed up a special committee of enquiry into drugs of abuse.

From 1999 to 2005 he represented the Parliament on the Bureau and Management Board of the European Drugs Monitoring Centre in Lisbon. Prior to his political career Sir Jack worked in management positions with J & P Coats Ltd. and Philips Electrical Ltd.

Lord Benjamin Mancroft – Trustee

Lord Mancroft is a founder member and former Chairman of Mentor UK. He is well known for his views on drug use and addiction.

He has been chair of Addiction Recovery Foundation since 1989 and and chair of the Drug and Alcohol Foundation since 1994. He was director of Phoenix House Housing Association from 1991 to 1996 and vice-chairman from 1992 to 1996.

He is Chairman of Inter Lotto, a non executive director of St Martin’s Magazines Plc and RoK Corporation, and Chairman of New Media Lottery Services.

Martin Paisner C.B.E. – Trustee

Martin is a consultant partner with Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP Solicitors, specialising in the areas of trust and estate planning as well as charity law.

Martin is a Board member of several charities including British Institute of International and Comparative Law, Ovarian Cancer Action, Weizmann UK, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee Inc (of New York) and the Royal Court Theatre.   He is also an Honorary Fellow of Worcester College, Oxford, King’s College, London and Queen Mary, University of London.

Sir David Sieff – Trustee

Sir David Sieff is great-grandson of Michael Marks, the founder of Marks & Spencer. He was a director with the company from 1972 until 2001.

He is non-executive Chairman of Newbury Racecourse plc, and a Vice-President of St. Andrew’s Youth Club, and is a Trustee of several charitable organizations. He was the first Chairman of the National Lottery Charities Board (now the Big Lottery) and a member of the National Board for Crime Prevention.  He was a founding member of Business in the Community and is now one of its Vice President’s.

He was made a Knight Bachelor in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 1999.

Helen Watson – Trustee

Helen worked for the British Red Cross both in the UK and around the world in various capacities including development and disaster relief situations.

An experienced conference and event organiser she brings to Mentor UK comprehensive experience of all aspects of event management as well as extensive knowledge of the charity sector.