Liz Zeidler
Chief Executive
Liz is an internationally recognised leader in sustainable wellbeing with over 30 years of experience in connecting, challenging and supporting change-makers. She has been a key part of the development of all Centre for Thriving Place’s wellbeing measurement tools and approaches.
She is a globally in-demand speaker and advisor on community wellbeing and place-based approaches to measuring, understanding and improving wellbeing in all sectors.
Rachel Laurence
Deputy Chief Executive
Rachel Laurence is an experienced local economic development practitioner whose background combines community development and youth work, with local economic development policy and practice expertise.
Since 2012 she has worked in a range of senior leadership roles for Save the Children, the New Economics Foundation and London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Lisa Groves
Head of Research, Data and Insight
Lisa has two decades of experience devising and leading research, insight and evidence programmes, across the full breadth of the UK and internationally. She joined CTP in 2023, having previously worked in consultancy supporting clients across the public, private and non-profit sectors to measure, understand and improve their impact. Her past work has explored diverse areas connected to wellbeing e.g. equality, circularity, healthy behaviours, economic health.
katie tiplady-startin
Operations & Project Manager
Katie works to transform the strategy from plan into action through her many years of Operations Management experience. Having worked in organisations of all sizes in various sectors, including start-ups, she brings a wide variety of skills and knowledge to the team, providing support and direction to the delivery of all Centre for Thriving Places projects, working closely with clients, partners and team members to deliver maximum impact and further the organisation’s mission.
Mel Cairns
Wellbeing Measurement Advisor
Mel provides research and data support, having led on delivery of the Thriving Places Index as well as supporting the creation and implementation of several diverse wellbeing frameworks. Mel holds an MSc Sustainable Development in Practice and believes that nothing is sustainable without wellbeing. She is particularly interested in growing our connections with nature, with our compassionate values and with each other, to support a better world for all.
Annabel Reddick
Communications
Annabel is a writer, editor and communications planner with a background in print and digital media.
She has a long association with CTP both as a volunteer and part time communications associate, and currently provides social media and editorial support.
Saamah abdallah
Wellbeing Measurement Advisor
Saamah is a globally recognised expert in wellbeing measurement and policy, having won the Community Indicators Consortium award in 2016 as an emerging leader in the field of community conditions and wellbeing. Saamah has conducted complex analyses for a range of clients including Eurostat, the Big Lottery Fund, the European Network Against Racism, RAND corporation and Eurofound and served on multiple advisory boards, including the ONS, OECD and Eurostat.
Rosie Maguire
Wellbeing Measurement Advisor
Rosie is a researcher with over fifteen years of experience in using evidence and insight to inform the design, management and evaluation of policy and practice.
She has worked with a range of stakeholders including national and local government, What Works Centre for Wellbeing, NHS organisations, the European Commission and international and local charities and community-led organisations.
Sam Wren-Lewis
Wellbeing Measurement Advisor
Sam is a writer and philosopher with extensive experience in wellbeing research and measurement.
He’s worked on numerous wellbeing policy projects in collaboration with a wide range of local, national and international organisations, including UK Cabinet Office, Office of National Statistics, Public Health England, What Works Centre for Wellbeing, and New Economics Foundation.
Byron Lee
Training Associate
Byron has 30 years experience in health and social care, community, higher education and leadership development.
His passion is supporting individuals, teams and organisations weave together different sources of wellbeing knowledge, wisdom and practice to support collaborative learning and change and build supportive and inclusive practices, systems and cultures.
Wren aIgaki-lander
Strategy & Operations Advisor
Wren is our Strategy and Operations advisor, ensuring our work delivers value and impact to to partners and keeping our organisational objectives aligned with our values.
She brings over 20 years of experience working with some of the world’s leading purpose-driven organisations, helping to deliver on big visions locally and across the world. Wren holds a degree in Finance and Economics and a CSR-focussed MBA.
opportunities to join us
If you are interested in joining our team, either as a freelance Associate or as a core team member, please check out our current opportunities here.
our board
Dawn Snape
Chair
“The evaluation and analysis of measures of wellbeing, quality of life and social capital fascinate me. I believe we can leave a more peaceful, stable and equitable world for our children if we re-focus our efforts around wellbeing as a purpose.”
Mike Zeidler
Board Member
Co-Founder of Centre for Thriving Places, Mike is a director of the CIC and charitable board of trustees.
Di Robinson
Board Member
“I’ve spent my whole career addressing disadvantage & inequality to create the conditions for community empowerment, resilience and sustainable local economic development. I believe Centre for Thriving Places has a significant part to play in changing the game for good.”
Rashida Noray
Board Member
“I’m delighted to be on the board for Centre for Thriving Places to support their communications objectives. I look forward to helping the team shout about all the great initiatives, services and the impacts of their work.”
Steve King
Treasurer
“I help organisations that enrich our community and nourish their employees become and stay commercially sustainable. I’m a chartered accountant (KPMG) have an MBA (Warwick Business School) and co-wrote ‘Finance on a Beermat’ the best-selling book on finance for entrepreneurs.”
Helen Bell
Board Member
“I’m a storyteller at heart and a firm believer in the power of communications to create positive change. I’ve admired the work of Centre for Thriving Places since I was introduced to the organisation in 2015 and learnt about their mission to measure what matters. As a member of the Board, I want to use my skills to support a systemic shift to an economy that puts the wellbeing of people and planet centre stage.”
Liz Zeidler
Board Member
Co-Founder of Centre for Thriving Places, Liz is a director of the CIC