Who we are

Meet the team

Founder
Sali is a journalist, presenter and broadcaster specialising in beauty, women's lifestyle and interviews. She’s been The Guardian’s Beauty Editor since 2011, where she’s known for her straight-talking advice. Sali has written and presented on homelessness for BBC One Wales, Trolling for BBC Radio 4 and appeared as beauty expert on a number of consumer shows. Her popular YouTube series, “In The Bathroom…” was followed by her ongoing podcast, ‘Beyond The Bathroom’.
Sali has written four books, including Pretty Honest: The Straight-Talking Beauty Companion and Pretty Iconic: A Personal Look at The Beauty Products That Changed The World.
In 2019, she won the J&J Award for Outstanding Contribution to Beauty, and the prestigious CEW Achiever awards, both as voted by industry peers. In 2021, she received an Honorary Fellowship to Cardiff University, for services to journalism and charity.

Founder
Jo is a renowned beauty PR expert with a career spanning over two decades, shaping the narratives of some of the most influential beauty brands in the industry. Known for her strategic vision, deep industry knowledge, and ability to craft creative campaigns, Jo has been instrumental in launching and elevating both heritage and emerging beauty brands.
The trust that Jo has built with high-profile names like Babyliss has been key to developing Beauty Banks’ vital brand partnerships.
Beyond her work in beauty communications, Jo is a champion for authenticity in the industry, advocating for honest conversations around skincare, wellness, and the business of beauty.

Operations Coordinator

Kumba joined Beauty Banks in August 2023 relocating from Cardiff to Brighton. Her role at Beauty Banks includes supporting logistics, operations and procurement. Kumba leads our volunteer shifts in Brighton and Croydon. In her previous role, Kumba worked for a local charity, running volunteer-led projects for adults with learning disabilities.
In her spare time Kumba loves to cook, go on walks, see friends and watch movies.

Operations Manager
Esther joined Beauty Banks at the beginning of 2023. She has over a decade's worth of experience working in the charity sector, previously in management roles at FareShare and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. At Beauty Banks Esther manages the day to day operations, including the operations team, the volunteering programme, the management of the warehouse units, and management of the charity partnerships.
In Esther's spare time she enjoys swimming, listening to music and is a keen baker.

Meet our brilliant board of trustees

Nicola Watson

Nic is a proven people manager, centred on leveraging HR expertise to foster team building and performance management, with an emphasis on operational transformation in the tech industry. She advocates for wellbeing and mental health, highlighting the importance of inclusive workplaces.
Sue Rissbrook

Sue is a Chartered Accountant and former senior Partner in a professional services firm with a background in finance, leadership and governance. She is an ambassador for Women Supporting Women at The King’s Trust and is passionate about inclusion, equality, and helping diverse voices be heard.
TK Spiff

TK is a lawyer based in London, specialising in media and entertainment, advertising and technology. Having supported many of his firm’s social diversity, ethnicity and inclusion initiatives, TK joined the friendly and passionate Board of Trustees in early 2023.
Paul Bursche

A former head of communications for Sony Music, Paul now runs his own consultancy advising individuals and companies on PR and reputation.
He is also a trustee at a Riding For The Disabled charity, Park Lane Stables and is a senior adviser to the Relationships division of Cancer Research UK.
Rob Fellows

Rob is a founding partner of Quatro, a PR and Public Affairs agency specialising in sustainability, energy and infrastructure projects. He is also a director of NIDVM, a global consultancy focused on crisis communications and reputation management