We are a Social Enterprise trying to do good things to help UK charities

Having worked on an assignment for VSO in South Africa after leaving school Anthony embarked on a 30 year career in insurance broking working for the Sedgwick Group in various european countries (20 years) returning to the UK from Denmark at the end of 1990. Roles were largely marketing related & included operational responsibility latterly for the Nordic countries.

“One thing that has always been of interest and remains so was the desire to understand people from wherever they originated in the world and how by working together this could make a real difference for many. I guess in simple terms this is what Pennies from Heaven is trying to achieve! Well the opportunity in 1999 to work together with my co-founder and long standing friend, Angus, arose & we soon realised that whilst this would be a challenge it was indeed possible to set up the scheme”

Anthony lives and works in North Norfolk with his wife Virginia with his two children having escaped the nest live and work in London and Paris.

Kate joined Pennies from Heaven in 2005 and became CEO in January 2017

Kate has led Pennies from Heaven through an ambitious growth period, increasing the number of people and organisations participating in the scheme by 50% in three years. Having spent ten years as a marketing professional and strategy director at Barclays Bank, Kate joined Pennies from Heaven to fulfil her passion to make a difference to the charity sector. Kate led the development of Pennies from Heaven across the NHS and to date NHS staff have donated over a £1m via the scheme. Much of these donations have benefited the work of NHS charities themselves.

Kate is a passionate believer that people want to give more to charity and if we can make it accessible and easy to do so then people will want to join in and will feel good about doing so.

“It is a privilege to be part of this wonderful giving scheme and work with such an enthusiastic team. Our mission is to get everyone giving their payslip pennies to charity as we believe that few of us would miss the pennies from our pay. If every employee joined in, we would raise £198m a year, plus gift aid – imagine the difference that would make. Small Change makes Big change – simple.”

When not working Kate likes nothing more that taking part in charity challenges and volunteering. From hiking the Grand Canyon, running the London Marathon, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, and cycling across Italy you never know what she is planning next.

You can contact Kate at kate@penniesfromheaven.co.uk

Kate is an experienced business communications strategist, Kate has over 15 years’ experience of working with companies to successfully implement and execute stakeholder engagement campaigns to promote, protect and enhance reputation. Kate has an excellent track record in advising the Boards and management teams of many UK and international public and private companies on their capital markets communications activity, including corporate transactions, financial calendar reporting and IPOs.

Kate has worked alongside leading brands to create and implement integrated business-to-business, corporate and consumer campaigns, targeted on achieving commercial success. Her experience has spanned all sectors and ranges from FTSE 100 to AIM listed companies, as well as private businesses.

Gemma joined Pennies from Heaven in September 2023 as our Team Administrator. After taking a career break and being fortunate to be able to spend quality time with her two sons, Finlay and Edmund; Gemma had time to evaluate the important things in life after being dealt such a tragic blow following the loss of a very close member of her family. Gemma’s passion to help and care for others is paramount and she felt that she wanted to offer her help and support to others by working for the team.

In 2000 she travelled the world for a year visiting America, Hawaii, Rarotonga, New Zealand, Australia, Bali, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

Gemma has over 16 years’ experience working in the NHS and the private sector as a Theatre Assistant at The Great Western Hospital and Ridgeway Hospital in Swindon. Gemma loved working in theatre, finding it interesting, she learnt so much and loved the nature of the job. As well as caring and preparing patients for surgery her role involved a huge administrative responsibility.

After returning from maternity, while on a career break, she became a Child-Minding Assistant for a year then moved on to be an Ofsted Registered Nanny and continues this role alongside her current position with Pennies from Heaven. Gemma is also kept busy with her two young boys and in her voluntary role as Assistant Treasurer (PA) at the local primary school.

Hobbies include dog walking, supporting and caring for others, cooking, entertaining, spending time with family and friends and can often be seen on the sideline, cheering her eldest Son, Finlay on at football.