Open City welcomes Sarah Gold, Ann Paul, and Mike Saunders to the Board of Trustees
Open City is delighted to announce the appointment of Sarah Gold, Ann Paul, and Mike Saunders to the board of trustees. The Open City Trustees are a group of volunteers representing a broad cross section of perspectives and backgrounds. They are the legal custodians of the charity and oversee Open City’s strategic development. In parallel to the recruitment of a new Chair of Open City’s Board of Trustees that is currently underway, these appointments contribute strategic and technical expertise in data and digital systems, human resources, and people management.
Sarah Gold is a global digital leader recognised for her work designing trustworthy digital services across the public and private sectors.
She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Projects by IF, they help organisations use emerging technologies like AI to earn customer trust. Clients include Google, the UK Government, and Lloyds Banking Group.
Sarah also advises the Mayor of London’s Data for London programme and the UK Design Council on digital innovation and responsible technology.
Ann Paul has spent 30 years working with organisations to help them create the optimal conditions for their people to do their best work.
She is currently Chief People Officer at Nesta, a social innovation agency that works to help solve some of society's most intractable problems.
Prior to this, Ann spent several years in consulting and executive coaching working on a wide range of leadership and culture projects for clients.
With extensive experience across the media and retail sectors Ann has worked across the full range of people related disciplines including organisation design, talent and development, reward, resourcing, employee engagement, and wellbeing.
As a proud, longstanding resident of London, Ann has a passion for the urban environment and is thrilled to be part of Open City's endeavours.
Mike Saunders has been a digital pioneer and entrepreneur for 30 years, developing innovative digital businesses across media, education and the built environment. He co-founded digital engagement platform Commonplace to realise his vision of inspiring thriving places through community data and collaboration. Commonplace has been used by over 400 local authorities and developers, and by 10 million people in the UK and around the world, winning multiple awards for its innovation and effectiveness. His most recent venture is Afield Environmental, a new non-profit facilitating natural spaces in low income urban communities, and funding artist-led research in the environment.
Mike is also deputy chair of Trinity College London.
Building on his experience and combined interests in education and the built environment, Mike is delighted to be able to help Open City on the next stage of their exciting journey.
Manijeh Verghese, Chief Executive Officer of Open City said: ‘We are delighted to have Ann, Mike and Sarah join us as Trustees of Open City. Even over the past few weeks since their appointment, the charity has already greatly benefited from their expertise, care, and stewardship of our different programmes of work.’
Deborah Denner, Chair of the Open City trustees said: Deborah Denner, Chair of the Open City trustees said: ‘Our three new board members will make an important contribution to maximising the charity’s impact, as well as bringing fresh energy to conversations about its future. It’s a pleasure to welcome Ann, Mike, and Sarah to the brilliant trustee team.’
Sarah, Ann, and Mike join Open City’s existing Board of Trustees that include Deborah Denner (chair), Dav Bansal (vice-chair), Selina Mason (vice-chair), Roland Oakshett (treasurer); Pooja Agrawal, Aretha Ahunanya, Sara Bailey, Peter Bury, Carolyn Larkin, and Anna Liu.