Our Team
Our Wonderful Team!
The Wickers Charity is fortunate to have a dedicated and passionate team of staff who are at the heart of their mission. Comprising individuals from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, our team works tirelessly to ensure we are consistently making a positive impact on the community.
Founder
Henry Smith
FOUNDER
FOUNDER
Henry Smith
Born and raised an East Ender, Henry Smith, CEO of Aitch Group, has raised funds for the Richard House Hospice, Teens Unite by getting to the North Pole and Breast Cancer by climbing Machu Picchu. Henry now thinks it is important we support the youths at risk in Hackney and has recently found The Wickers Charity.
“I’m proud to call East London my home. Since starting Aitch Group in 1995, I’ve seen the area change in unimaginable ways. Yet, one thing has always remained the same, East London’s strong sense of community and buzzing soul.
From starting off converting houses into bedsits to now regenerating industrial areas with approximately 300 new homes, offices and leisure, I’ve always had the passion to support the local community and build sustainable environments for people to live and work. Aitch Group is formed of exceptionally talented individuals who share this vision, which makes Aitch Group a truly inspiring place to work. We place great importance on giving back to the areas that we operate in, that’s why we support a range of local charitable organisations.
Now is the time to really come together and help our youths at risk. We aim to provide them at the Hub with all the assistance needed to improve their confidence, skills and get employed but most important of all to distract them from drifting into knife crime and gang life.
Come to The Wickers Charity’ Hub and meet up with Wickers Team and find out how we can do this together”.
Trustees
Wendel Henry
TRUSTEE
TRUSTEE
Wendel Henry
Hackney born and bred, Wendel Henry still lives in Hackney and has dedicated most of his life to doing charity work.
“I have always had a passion for boxing and still maintain, to this day, my connection with Repton Boxing Club in Bethnal Green. A chance meeting opened an opportunity for me to becoming a Trustee and an integral member of the charity’s operations team at the Hub.
Here at the The Wickers Charity Hub, the team and I facilitate workshops and courses and provide group activities to distract our youths at risk of drifting into knife crime and gang life.
I am really thrilled to be a Trustee working at the Hub and specially on taking the #saveouryouths programme forward”.
Chelsea Reynolds
TRUSTEE
TRUSTEE
Chelsea Reynolds
Chelsea Reynolds was originally approached by Henry to set up the charity. Chelsea’s background is assisting Family Offices find philanthropic ways to not only create but continue successful charities & foundations.
Chelsea loved what The Wickers were looking to achieve & knew instantly she wanted to be involved. “I want to show young people that there is a different life, a different world, out there. Everyone can have the same opportunities when you put in 100%. You can have knockbacks but just keep going, they only make you stronger.
This is my first involvement in a charity as a Trustee and I’m thrilled to be an integral part of such a fantastic cause – helping the younger generation to improve school grades, pursue goals and in turn save lives from gang related crime.
I’m proud to know that The Wickers Charity is making a positive impact on the future of young people in East London”.
Tessa Matchett
TRUSTEE
TRUSTEE
Tessa Matchett
Tessa is the Head of Press for ITV Studios, ITV’s international business which makes and sells tv programmes around the world. ITV Studios has 55 production companies creating and making award-winning hit shows for over 200 channels around the world including Bodyguard, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Love Island, Queer Eye and Come Dine With Me.
“I was born, brought up and still live in Tower Hamlets and want to do all I can to support the work of the charity in providing young people with an alternative to gang and knife crime. The children of Hackney deserve a different choice, a different life and I believe if we can instil them with confidence and a belief that they can aim high, we can support their start in life.
Management Team
Barrie Laslett
CEO
CEO
Barrie Laslett
Barrie is the CEO. With 20 years of experience in the Third Sector working for Barnardo’s. He has a background in Strategy, Planning & Performance and Business Analysis.
During his time at Barnardo’s he worked on some major strategic projects, which took him all over the UK. These projects include the design and implementation of a new operating model, and the implementation of the organisations first performance framework.
He joined The Wickers as Strategy & Business Development Manager before taking the role as CEO in October 2020.
“I spent my childhood growing up in East London and I came from a disadvanataged background. I understand the challenges and barriers that young people face. I am also a father and have been concerned with the rapid rise in knife crime, so The Wickers was a natural fit for me. I just want to help young people fulfill their potential and not to become another statistic.”
Brogan Garrit-Smith
fundraising manager
fundraising manager
Brogan Garrit-Smith
I started working for The Wickers Charity upon my return from travelling; and from the moment I joined the team I knew I was working with something very special. I have been blown away with what the Wickers Charity has achieved in the last year alone, the lives the Charity has touched, and the hope it provides.
Having worked in the corporate world for over 5 years and run some of my own companies I am able to adapt my skill set and networking to help deliver the vision and goals of the Charity.
The Charity’s vision is to support the youths at risk in Hackney so that they make better life choices.
I am now the Fundraising Manager which means I am responsible for raising funds for the Charity to enable it to continue and expand its activities in supporting the young people in the community.
The Wickers Charity has become such a big part of who I am and waking up each morning and going to a job I love is truly a privilege.
Sam Bosede
Head of Business Development
Head of Business Development
Sam Bosede
Sam is the Business Development Manager. With a background in Law, Business Management and Banking, he started with the charity as a volunteer. In that time Sam has gone on to qualify as a Teaching Assistant and a Teaching Assistant Assessor.
He gained experience of working with young people as a Community Volunteer for Young Hackney working at their Hub in Manor House, Community events and at Emmanuel Community School in Walthamstow.
“I want to be who I needed when I was younger. I believe my experiences growing up as a young man in Hackney, my educational and professional background can help provide young people with a positive narrative and access to a world of possibilities with the right guidance”.
I am proud to be part of a team that takes a holistic community approach to supporting young people to write their own stories to positively impact society as a whole.
Kieran Harris
Head of Service Delivery
Head of Service Delivery
Kieran Harris
Born and raised in Hackney, I have always had a passion & love for my community. Working throughout Hackney delivering many youth projects within local schools and community centres I have constantly enhanced my skills. Becoming a mentor, Youth worker, sports coach and Charity fund raiser, helping me to deliver the best youth work projects possible.
Working with the Wickers Charity, I have helped to create and establish The Wickers Charity Community Hub, since it was created in July 2018. I am proud to be with an establishment devoted and extremely passionate in helping the youths of the community and strive to make sure we continue our amazing work.
Kianu Glasgow
Rise Up East Programme Manager