Directors & Operations staff

Board of Directors - Chair

Rachel Copeland

Rachel Copeland

Rachel worked as a Health Visitor in Guernsey for twenty five years, particularly with young families, and saw the necessity for a place where families could receive non-judgemental support and advice to ensure the best start in life for their children. She advocated the need for a dedicated children’s centre, and in 2017 her vision was realised when Bright Beginnings opened its doors.

Rachel was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to families in 2021, recognising her efforts to build relationships and ensure that those who are seldom heard have a voice and receive the support needed to flourish. Rachel sits on numerous boards.

 

Directors

Emma Mauger

Emma Mauger

Director

Jane le Conte

Jane Le Conte

Director

Bright Beginnings Logo

Carys Mhonie

Director

Kit Hobbs

Kitt Hobbs

Director

Rachel Gates

Rachel Gates

Director

Lucy Hadlington

Director

Will Jones

Director

James Marshall

Director

Chief Executive Officer

Lisa Blondel

Lisa Blondel

Lisa joined Bright Beginnings as its first Chief Executive Officer in September 2023. Prior to this she worked in Secondary Education, in both the UK and Guernsey, developing a range of skills across key curriculum and pastoral roles. Lisa’s passion has always been supporting children to be happy, healthy and literate in order to have the best opportunities in life.

Finance and HR Administrator

Holding image

Chloe Dodd

Bio coming soon!

Get in touch

Children’s Centre

01481 244919
info@brightbeginnings.gg

Open 51 weeks of the year, excluding bank holidays.

Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm
(unless by appointment)

Nursery & Preschool

01481 245335
office@brightbeginnings.gg
Enquiries via Famly app

Open 51 weeks of the year, excluding bank holidays.
Monday to Friday 7:30am – 5pm

Bright Beginnings, Rue des Monts, St Sampson, Guernsey, GY2 4HS
Registered Guernsey Charity Number: CH412
Registered Company Number: 54950

© Bright Beginnings

Website designed by Rock & Small and built & hosted by Enrapture

Will Jones

Director

Will Jones moved to Guernsey from the UK four years ago and now enjoys life on the island with his two daughters. He has worked in IT for 18 years and is currently a Solutions Architect at Specsavers. As a dad, Will deeply appreciates the support Bright Beginnings offers local families and is glad to play a small part in helping that work continue.

James Marshall

Director

With a career in technology, James advises the Board on digital matters, including artificial intelligence, social media and online communications. He joined as Bright Beginnings' first director appointed through the GTA's Non-Executive Director Development Programme, and also supports the charity's fundraising by helping to develop corporate partnerships and grant opportunities.

Bright Beginnings Logo

Carys Mhonie

Director

Carys brings extensive experience in charity finance to Bright Beginnings, having worked as a Financial Controller in the international development sector, overseeing financial management, reporting and accountability across programmes delivered around the world.

She is keen to use her expertise to help Bright Beginnings make every resource count and have the greatest possible impact for children and families. After a career in international development, Carys wanted to bring her experience closer to home and support a charity making a direct difference to the lives of children and families in Guernsey.

Lucy Hadlington

Director

As a highly experienced and qualified Chartered Accountant, Lucy was looking for a new way to share her expertise. She loved the Bright Beginnings’ vision, so immediately applied when she saw an advert matching her skills.

Lucy ensures that everything is on track financially to keep the important work of the charity going. This includes looking at bank reconciliations and cash flow, as well as advising the Board on spending. Lucy is excellent at suggesting how Bright Beginnings can use resources as efficiently as possible to make the biggest difference.

Rachel Gates

Rachel Gates

Director

Rachel leads our fundraising strategy, ensuring we secure the money needed to keep Bright Beginnings thriving. Rachel’s career in corporate governance means she is excellent at organisation, working to deadlines and seeing a project through to completion. Rachel loves getting involved in everything from big fundraising events to collecting money on Flag Days.

Kit Hobbs

Kitt Hobbs

Director

As a private-client lawyer and qualified solicitor, Kit provides the Board with legal and regulatory advice. His legal expertise ensures that Bright Beginnings can confidently deliver assistance for families and support children and parents to reach their full potential.

Jane le Conte

Jane le Conte

Director

Jane helped to co-found Bright Beginnings and has been instrumental in its journey. Jane received a British Empire Medal in recognition of her commitment to supporting families through her work with Home-Start Guernsey. Through this experience, and as an adoptive parent, Jane is acutely aware of the importance of early attachments for children and the ongoing impact on their lives if these crucial relationships are not formed. As well as giving huge amounts of time and energy to support families through Bright Beginnings, Jane is also Accommodation Manager for Sarnia Housing Association.

Emma Mauger

Emma Mauger

Director

Emma has held senior roles in communications and adult learning and development and now runs a learning consultancy. As well as providing key training and development for Bright Beginnings staff, she works with ‘The Next Chapter’ team to develop and promote the literacy offering within our community.