Meet the team

Team Head

Niall O’Reilly

Director of Delivery

Amelia Willett

I oversee service delivery and quality at IPS Grow, supporting fidelity assurance, implementation, and our Communities of Practice. My role is to make sure that services and systems across all regions and contracts benefit from an integrated, high-quality IPS Grow offer. With hands-on experience in IPS across different settings and countries, I’m passionate about continually improving how IPS is delivered and helping people achieve good quality employment outcomes through IPS.

Director of Research and Innovation

Gary Johnston

I drive evidence-based employment support for people facing barriers to work and wellbeing, focusing on scaling IPS and innovative approaches across the UK and Europe. With 30+ years’ experience in leadership and implementation, I’ve led major projects, including Europe’s largest IPS trial, to empower thousands into work and lasting social inclusion.

Head of Workforce & Engagement

Tina Latimir-Jones

Tina has experience working across the healthcare and private recruitment industry in both a marketing and recruitment capacity.

CRM Project Manager

Gareth Hayes

Gareth was the regional IPS Grow manager for the Midlands and the East and has an extensive background supporting people with substance misuse experiences, mental health issues or disabilities to find meaningful and lasting work. He has now moved on to leading our CRM management.

Head of Programmes (SMI & D&A)

Leila Reyburn

As the Head of Programmes I lead the national delivery of IPS services for people living with severe mental illness and substance use. This includes overseeing contract delivery, driving quality improvement and supporting the team providing technical assistance to these services. I have previously worked in national roles in NHS England, Mind and Stonewall, with a focus on mental health and health inequalities.

Data and Digital Manager

Sanjana Govil

I lead the digital and data workstreams at IPS Grow, including managing and improving the IPS Grow Reporting Tool to give services and commissioners a live view of access and employment outcomes. Since joining Social Finance in March 2022, I’ve developed and scaled digital products across health, employment, and social care. I’m passionate about using technology to improve decision-making and service delivery.

Workforce Manager

Mairi Fraser

As IPS Grow’s Workforce Manager, I manage a team of people who support services to recruit, support and train IPS staff. I have over 18 years’ experience of working within employability, including 10 years directly with the IPS model across various cohorts. I am experienced in leadership and management, supporting employment services, and communication.

Quality Manager

Holly Cooper

I’m the Quality Manager for IPS Grow, focused on driving quality across IPS delivery. I joined IPS Grow as a Regional Lead in 2023 and became Regional Manager for the East in 2024, bringing over 16 years’ experience delivering IPS as an Employment Specialist and Team Leader. I’m passionate about a system-led, collaborative approach to improve client outcomes and strongly believe in IPS’s power to transform lives.

Research Consultant

Silvia Molino

I’m a Research consultant for IPS Grow, specialising in health, care, and public services with expertise in evidence-based system change. I bridge communities and systems, ensuring lived experience and evidence inform decisions. I joined Social Finance in 2025, bringing experience across NHS, local government, and consultancy, delivering high-impact studies and building strategic partnerships.

Project Manager

Dominic Burrows

I am currently working on projects related to contract mobilisation and race equity within the IPS Grow team. I joined Social Finance in 2025, bringing insights into how project and programme management could be approached within the team. I have spent most of my career in local government and have experience in a variety of roles, including work within local government transformation and building and running a social lettings agency.

Marketing Executive

Lola Olowofela

I’m a Marketing Executive at Social Finance, managing social media, website updates, SEO, newsletters, webinars, and marketing materials. I also handle reporting, MailChimp campaigns, and stakeholder engagement. Since joining in 2021 and becoming an IPS Grow Analyst in 2023, I’ve supported projects for LGBTQ+ young people and helping those with severe mental health challenges access meaningful work.

IPS Grow - Senior Analyst

Karuna Menon

I am an Associate at Social Finance, working with internal and external stakeholders on initiatives that expand and strengthen the IPS workforce across England. My role combines data analysis, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. I joined the team in 2023, bringing an academic background in Political Science and International Development, alongside prior experience in non-profit project management.

Project Support Officer

Samiha Sehgal

I sit under the project management team to support the delivery of specialised projects across IPS Grow. I manage stakeholder liaison, team budgets and expenses, and also work with the IPS Grow Data/Digital team on the Data Reporting Tool. My key skills include data analysis and project management.

IPS Grow - Analyst

Shahrukh Mubashir

Shahrukh joined Social Finance in January, 2025 as a data analyst with IPS Grow. Shahrukh helps IPS teams across the country use IPS Grow’s flagship reporting tool alongside pulling together insights that support the work of our delivery team and for our statutory reporting. Prior to Social Finance, Shahrukh has worked in data related roles in a variety of sectors including charities, universities as well as the commercial sector.

Quality Analyst

Kowsar Ahmed

I work in IPS Grow’s delivery workstream, focusing on projects that enhance internal and external processes to ensure the IPS service landscape is the best it can be. In my role, I collaborate across workstreams to design innovative, data-driven solutions and use my experience to apply qualitative research methods to embed a user-centred approach that informs continuous improvement.

IPS Grow Regional Manager - South

Marina Frias Padron

Marina joined Social Finance as one of the IPS Grow Regional Leads for London. Prior to this, she spent 4 years in IPS as an Employment Specialist, SES and Service Manager in both SMI and Drug & Alcohol services.

IPS Grow Lead - London

Laura Chisholm

My role involves supporting quality implementation of IPS in SMI and Drug & alcohol services across London, aimed at getting better outcomes for IPS clients. I’ve previously worked in IPS delivery for 5 years, in roles ranging from an Employment Specialist to Service Manager. I have also overseen the delivery of personalised care services (including social prescribing) in South-West London.

IPS Grow Lead - London

Holly Newton

I’m the Regional Lead for London, supporting IPS services to improve performance and outcomes. With over five years’ experience delivering IPS in the NHS, I conduct fidelity reviews, facilitate learning sessions, and drive collaboration across the region to ensure high-quality, consistent practice and positive client impact.

Regional Lead – London

Fabiana Palombo

I’m an IPS Grow Regional Lead in London, supporting services for people with severe mental illness and those in drug and alcohol treatment. I partner with team leaders to deliver practical support, tech solutions, and Fidelity Reviews, while working with commissioners and NHS partners to create conditions for IPS to thrive and help more people into meaningful, sustainable employment.

Regional Support Lead - London and the East of England

Danika Jenner

I’m Regional Support Lead for London and the East of England at IPS Grow, working with services to share best practice and improve outcomes. Previously an IPS Team Lead, I helped mobilise a Primary Care IPS service and have experience across employment support programmes. I’m passionate about empowering people to build confidence and thrive.

IPS Grow Lead - Southwest

Flippa Watkeys

Flippa has been working in the NHS in mental health in a variety of roles for over 30 years. More recently, she has been setting up and leading an IPS service in Plymouth. Flippa has a clinical background as an Occupational Therapist and has also worked in strategic level posts.

IPS Grow Lead - Southeast

Adam Hodgkin

Adam has over 20 years‘ experience in supporting people into employment, including 12 years of working in IPS in a variety of roles including employment specialist, team leader and service lead overseeing multiple employment contracts covering serious mental health and drug and alcohol services across Sussex.

IPS Grow Lead - Southeast

Tracy Elsdon

Tracy has been supporting people into employment for the past 25 years within the West Midlands. Tracy’s experience includes working on various Government welfare initiatives such as New Deal programs and serving as an Incapacity Benefit Specialist. Tracy’s recent role at Shaw Trust has fueled her passion for Individual Placement and Support (IPS), and she is excited to join Social Finance to further promote IPS as the best support for individuals with health issues and disabilities.

IPS Grow Lead - Southwest

Jan Hadfield

Jan joined IPS Grow in March 2021 as the Regional Lead for the South West England. Jan has worked in supported employment since 2015. Jan was the IPS Grow Business Manager, but now has moved back to her original love as a regional lead for the Southwest.

Support Lead - SW & SE

Vicki Eslick

I work with IPS teams on development, Fidelity Reviews, Guided Self Assesments, and support Regional Leads with Communities of Practice and events. I joined IPS Grow in April 2025 after delivering IPS in a Drug and Alcohol service, progressing from Employment Specialist to Team Leader. I value collaborative, creative spaces and bring strengths in problem-solving and supportive leadership.

Workforce Lead - South

Laura Mouzouris-Lodge

I bring 35 years of experience across both the private and public sectors, with a strong focus on leadership and safeguarding. This includes 10 years with the Ministry of Defence Police, followed by the past 8 years as Head of Operations and Safeguarding Lead at Mind, where I led a Hampshire-wide commissioned service. Outside of work, I’m happiest on or near the water—whether that’s running along the coast, sea swimming, or boating with my husband and our two mischievous (and undeniably cute) dogs, Vernie and Buddie. I also love spending time with our two grown-up daughters (one is a secondary school teacher in Basingstoke and the other is living her best life as a snowboard instructor in Canada) I relish catching up with family, friends, and my church family. I’m really looking forward to bringing my experience to Social Finance and getting to know everyone!

Senior Workforce Lead - South

Julia Stapleton

I support IPS services to recruit the right people with the right values and I support new employment specialists and team leaders across a 12 month onboarding programme designed to help them deliver high quality IPS services. Another core aspect of the role is to develop and deliver our new Level 3 Certificate in IPS, the first accredited training course in IPS. My key skills include a nuanced level of understanding of the IPS model and the ability to translate the value of the approach into engaging training and presentation content.

Workforce Lead - South/East

Tomi Ayeni

Tomi has a background in mental health support and recruitment. He has worked in forensic mental health, supporting individuals facing complex challenges, and as a Recruitment Consultant in a London-based mental health non-profit charity, managing the recruitment and onboarding process across various roles, with a focus on hard-to-recruit areas.

IPS Grow Regional Manager - North

Nosheen Zabir

Nosheen is the IPS Grow Regional Manager for the North. She joins the team with an extensive background of working in the NHS, supported employment and 7 years’ experience as an IPS Team Lead in Bradford.

IPS Grow Lead - North West

Joss Hardisty

He has over twenty years’ experience of supporting people with mental health issues to find work and was part of the team that implemented the UK’s first IPS services at South West London & St. George’s Mental Health NHS Trust.

Head of Programmes (Connect to work)

David Venables

I joined the IPS Grow team in 2024 as a Regional Lead for the North. Prior to joining IPS Grow, I managed IPS services within SMI and Primary Care after eight years in leadership roles in the drug and alcohol sector. I am passionate about expanding access to the IPS model while improving employment outcomes and embedding it within wider workforce and health strategies.

Regional Lead - North

Natalie Crampton

I provide quality assurance support to IPS employment services across severe mental illness and drug and alcohol cohorts. With 15+ years in Health and Social Care, I bring expertise in compliance, contract oversight, and evidencing impact, using a collaborative, outcome-focused approach to help teams deliver value and achieve their full potential.

Regional Lead - North

Vicky Lomas

I’m the Regional Lead for IPS services across the North of England, ensuring operational success. With 20+ years in Drug and Alcohol Services, including 12 in management, I’ve implemented new contracts, driven innovations, and led national IPS delivery. I’m passionate about creating life-changing employment opportunities through the IPS model.

IPS Grow Regional Lead - North

Maggie Binzi

I support the development and delivery of high-quality IPS services across the North of England. I have previously worked in the delivery of IPS across both Severe Mental Illness (SMI) and drug and alcohol contracts, which has given me a deep understanding of the challenges customers and delivery teams are facing. I’m passionate about helping people access meaningful employment because I believe work is a key part of recovery and wellbeing.

Senior Workforce Lead - North

Joe Buckman

I am a Senior Workforce Lead for the North of England. My role is to support IPS SMI services to expand their workforce by providing specialist IPS recruitment, onboarding and training support. I have worked in IPS since 2020 as an Employment Specialist and a Team Leader prior to joining IPS Grow. I bring expertise in training, engagement and facilitation.

IPS Grow Regional Manager - Midlands

Laura Baines

Laura is an IPS Grow Lead for the North West. She has 9 years’ experience in supporting people into work, and 3 years’ experience of Supported Employment delivery. Laura joins us from Blackpool Council where she worked as a Team Lead for 2 Employment Teams delivering IPS within both an SMI, and a Substance Misuse setting.

IPS Grow Lead - Midlands

Mathew Clarke

Mathew is IPS Grow Lead for the Midlands. He has worked in the delivery of IPS and supported employment services since 2015.

IPS Grow Lead - Midlands

Kate Allsopp

Kate’s role here at Social Finance is IPS support lead and she works with the IPS Grow Team. Kate has worked as a Senior Employment Specialist with one of the new drug and alcohol sites and previously as an Employment Specialist with the NHS in secondary mental health services.

Senior Workforce Lead - Midlands

Joanne Barber

Joanne joined Social Finance in March 2021 as the IPS Grow Regional Lead for the East of England and has been supporting people into employment for the past 3 years within the West Midlands To learn more about Joanne, Click here: https://ipsgrow.org.uk/resource/spotlight-on-joanne-barber/

IPS Grow Lead - Midlands

Samantha Parr

I joined the IPS Grow Midlands team in June 2025 as Regional Lead, supporting SMI and Drug & Alcohol services to deliver successful IPS contracts. I bring seven years of IPS experience, including roles as Service Manager and Senior Employment Specialist. My career began in 2017 after spotting an IPS vacancy on a Friday, an interview on a Monday and that was that.

IPS Grow Lead - East

Leah Richardson

Leah has worked in mental health for over 15 years with experience of working in both SMI and primary care services.  She joins the team with 8 years direct experience of IPS delivery including working within a Centre of Excellence.  Leah has experience of working in IPS in a variety of roles including employment specialist, team leader, service manager and Director of IPS for a London charity.

IPS Grow Lead - East

Vicky Brown

Vicky joined Social Finance in January 2025 as an IPS Grow Lead for the East of England. Vicky’s experience in IPS comes from drug and alcohol services in Essex, wherein she worked as both an Employment Specialist and Senior Employment Specialist.