We are a Social Enterprise trying to do good things to help UK charities
Imagine the difference we could all make to charity if everyone donated regular amounts of small change.
If we can encourage everyone to give a little, together we can all make a big difference to all the wonderful charities that exist. We want to see a million pounds a year (100,000,000 pennies) donated through the scheme (and when we get there, we will go for £2m!)
We are motivated by participation in the scheme, not by profits. Each employer pays a small license fees to not only cover the costs of administering the scheme but also to support us in spreading the word of Pennies from Heaven to others. Our employers realise that the scheme can achieve more by running it together than operating it alone. As a Social Enterprise we are committed to reinvesting our profits into our business to enable the scheme to realise its full potential and social purpose.
Who would have thought that watching a Superman movie would generate a ground breaking idea for the charity sector…
The concept of Pennies from Heaven came from watching Superman 3! Richard Pryor, working as a computer programmer, realises that everyone’s paychecks are being round down to the nearest cent, so he begins diverting away those small amounts into his own account and uses it to turn into a world class super baddie! We decided that we could ask people to volunteer their pennies and use them to do good.
Pennies from Heaven is a small charitable company with five goals:
To spread the message
To share the idea of the scheme with all employers, pension providers and charities.
To make payroll changes easy
We campaign payroll companies to change core systems so that payroll costs are free.
To make set up and administration simple
We provide fundraising expertise, payroll guidance, artwork, online sign up and distribute donations to charities.
To connect employers
We cultivate a community of employers to share best practice, tips and tricks.
To recognise success
Our annual award scheme provides employers with an external recognition of success.
Meet the team


John Hough
Chairman
John started his working career, in the distant past, by training to be an actuary focusing mainly on advising companies and trustees of pension schemes. After managing a consulting team at one of the major actuarial firms he decided, in his mid thirties, that he would prefer the autonomy and control of setting up and managing his own firm of actuaries and pension consultants and with a few colleagues. He raised money in the City and established a firm called Aspen. Under his stewardship, Aspen successfully grew and in 2007 was sold to Capita plc. He has since entertained himself by taking on various appointments as a trustee of pension and institutional funds and directorships of business which seek to grow.
John was asked to became involved with Pennies From Heaven in 2000 when Barclays first considered the Scheme and, as the initial client, were keen for someone they knew to oversee the distribution of the collected funds. Subsequently, in 2004, Anthony asked John to help finance the operation and take on the Chairmanship of Pennies From Heaven Ltd.
“What started out as a favour for Barclays become a real interest – such a simple scheme that can do so much good. Being involved enables me to use some of the business development skills I have acquired to help the charity sector. I very much enjoy seeing Pennies From Heaven grow and contribute more and more each year to helping others in need of help. It is my way of giving back to society.”
John is in his early sixties, resides in London and is always busy with his various bits of work, grandchildren and children, as well as trying to stay fit!


Anthony Law
Founder and Non-Executive Director
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 Frost
CEO
Kate has a first class business degree from Warwick University and joined the Barclays Bank Graduate Management programme upon leaving University.She held a number of senior marketing positions within Barclays and spent three years as a Director working across the Barclays Retail business. Kate had a problem though – charity!
Alongside her full time job Kate involved herself in many charitable events raising money for a wide variety of causes. A moment of clarity came in 2003 when she realised it wasn’t the charities that motivated her in her voluntary work it was the act of giving. How could she help more people to give? Kate remembered the Pennies from Heaven scheme running at Barclays and contacted its Founder Anthony Law. From that moment on life changed for everyone! For 2 years Kate supported the company on a voluntary basis before joining the company full time in 2005 as an unpaid Director. Since then Kate has helped the Pennies from Heaven scheme grow and grow using her marketing expertise and fundraising passion to raise millions more for charity. In 2017 Kate took over as CEO of Pennies from Heaven.
“I am thrilled to be taking on the role of CEO and driving Pennies from Heaven forward. My mission is to get everyone giving their payslip pennies to charity. I believe that few of us would miss the pennies from our pay and by donating them to charity millions and millions of pounds can support hundreds of causes – imagine that. Imagine what those charities could do with that. Small Change makes Big change – simple.”
Kate lives in Oxfordshire with husband Paul, her two wonderfully energetic daughters Elsie and Elizabeth and their dog Bertie!


Helen Walters
Business Development Director
Helen is a Business graduate from Liverpool John Moores University. Helen has had a varied career working in several industries including Technology, Defence, Recruitment and Higher Education. Her roles have centred around Business Development and Client Management.
Since having her own family Helen has got actively involved in charity work completing personal challenges such as a 210ft freefall abseil and walking 100km in 24 hours all to raise money for charity. She also understands the importance of donating your time to your community in various voluntary roles currently standing as a local Brownie leader. Helen lives in Formby (Merseyside) with her husband Mark and their two daughters Hannah and Bethany who keep her on her toes!
“I am so enthusiastic about Pennies from Heaven. It’s such a cost-effective way for organisations to raise money for their designated charities; by concentrating on micro donating we can fundraise millions of pounds that make a huge difference. I am excited to be part of the Pennies from Heaven journey and making a valuable contribution to the amazing charities!”


Theresa Brown
Financial Controller and Distribution Manager
Theresa is a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Certified Accountants and an Associate of the Pensions Management Institute. She began her career with The Lord Chancellors Department before transferring to HM Customs and Excise. She then moved into accountancy and focussed on Pension Scheme Accounting, working at management level for both a third party administration company, and a large “in house” pension scheme . She also worked for a top 10 firm of accountants as Pension Audit Manager.
Theresa began to work for Pennies from Heaven when she took a career break to care for elderly parents. Currently Theresa is learning to speak Mandarin to assist with teaching English language and culture to UK resident Chinese speakers. In her spare time she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities.
Scheme Administration
How Pennies from Heaven operates
Pennies from Heaven Distribution is a not for profit company limited by guarantee. The company is responsible for collecting the donated funds from an employer who is participating in the Pennies from Heaven Scheme and paying these to the selected charities. The company is externally audited each year providing employers with assurance of our credible donation processing.
To ensure proper governance Pennies from Heaven Distribution Limited is separate from Pennies from Heaven Fundraising Limited. There is no cross ownership between the two companies and the board of directors of each is completely independent of the other with no cross directorships. A legally binding agreement defines the respective duties of each company under the Pennies from Heaven Scheme.
Pennies from Heaven makes it simple for charities to receive donations by distributing funds on the employer’s behalf. Pennies from Heaven distributes the donations to nominated charities in accordance with instructions. This includes providing employers with an audit trail as well as the charities for the reclaim of Gift Aid from HMRC.
The board of Directors, Pennies from Heaven Distribution Ltd


David Atterbury Thomas
Chairman of the Board of Directors
David has been a longstanding trustee and volunteer in the charitable sector. He is Trustee/Treasurer of Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice, Chair of Governors at Blackheath High School GDST and Treasurer of one of the City Churches. As a Chartered Accountant his early career was spent with Reed Elsevier and then for many years David was Group Finance Director at Grayling, an international public relations and public affairs group. Now a consultant, he helps charities and businesses with strategy, organisation of financial operations and financial and stakeholder reporting.


Rebecca Haines
Director
Rebecca has over 20 years experience in the Banking industry working for some of the UK’s largest retail banks. Her career has focused on the delivery and governance of change ensuring policies and compliance are adhered too and change is delivered efficiently. In her early career Rebecca worked as a Management Consultant for PwC and Cap Gemini followed by lengthy employments at Barclays Bank and Lloyds Banking Group. Now working for the AA Rebecca continues to lead change delivery. Alongside her roles at the AA, Pennies from Heaven and being a Mum to 2 young boys, Rebecca is also on the executive team for her local Scouting Group supporting the Scouting leaders and ensuring continued successful running of the local team.


Tony Smith
Director
Tony Smith has been a Motor Underwriter all his career initially in the Lloyd’s market and latterly in the company market. Tony has now retired to Norfolk where he is currently a member of the Norfolk Bench. Tony was previously chairman of Peaceful Place, based in Essex a charity for people with early onset dementia.
For further information on Pennies from Heaven Distribution Limited, please contact:
David Atterbury-Thomas
Pennies from Heaven Distribution Ltd
The Studio, 377 – 399 London Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3HL
Email: distribution@penniesfromheaven.co.uk
Registered Number: 03931760 (England & Wales)
Registered Office: The Studio, 377 – 399 London Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3HL
Auditors: Sumner & Moore. Camberley.