About Us

Our People

Who Makes RIFT

Behind RIFT Social Enterprise is a community of people united by passion, expertise, and dedication. From our staff and mentors to participants with lived experience and organisational partners, every member plays a vital role in helping individuals succeed.

To bring their voices forward, we asked our team the same question.

“What inspires you about supporting people through self-employment?”

Levi Roots

Entrepreneur and advocate Levi Roots is RIFT Social Enterprise's Patron.

He perfectly aligns with our mission to empower marginalised people through self-employment support, stating that his own journey from prison to success shows the value of our work. Levi is "excited to support and bring some Reggae Reggae sunshine" to people’s lives. As an active Patron, he will lend his voice and support to our key initiatives, including prison visits, helping us raise awareness and amplify our impact. We look forward to creating positive change together.

RIFT Social Enterprise Patron

Strategic Advisor - Prisons

Nick Leader

A manager who served as Governor/Director of seven prisons and was CEO of Sodexo South Community Rehabilitation Company. He has nearly forty years of public and private sector experience and is proud to have helped champion improvements in performance that made a difference to the lives of staff and people moving through a variety of stages in the criminal justice system.

Nick is now retired but still enjoys making a contribution to help support successful rehabilitation of those transitioning from custody to become valued members of our communities.

Business Start-Up Advisor and Criminal Justice Lead

Kath

Kath is a Business Start-Up Advisor who supports individuals in transforming their business ideas into viable and sustainable ventures. She provides guidance, resources, and practical advice to help participants turn their entrepreneurial goals into reality.

"I love being able to help people turn their ideas and hard work into something sustainable and meaningful. For me, supporting self-employment isn’t just about starting a business, it’s about helping people build confidence, independence, resilience and stability. It’s amazing to see how one person’s success can have such a positive impact on their family and community."

Olly

Olly, who spent a decade teaching before founding his own business, now helps clients turn ideas into reality while enjoying board games and walks with his dog in the Yorkshire countryside.

"I’m inspired by how self-employment can unlock people’s confidence, creativity, and sense of control over their own lives. What drives me is seeing individuals turn their skills and passions into meaningful, sustainable opportunities - and watching them grow personally as well as professionally along the way."

Business Start-Up Advisor and Community Engagement Lead

Andy Gullick

Andy has dedicated his career to supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals, holding roles from social worker and Senior Probation Officer to prison governor, charity CEO, and Director of Justice at an employment organisation for people with convictions.

"What inspires me is witnessing how self-employment transforms lives, not just for the individual, but for their families and their communities. When someone gains the confidence to build something of their own and sustain it, the ripple effect is powerful and far-reaching."

Chief Executive Officer

Daisy

Daisy leads RIFT’s Business Start-Up Team, drawing on 7 years in social housing, a background in procurement and construction, and experience delivering large-scale projects supporting over 1,200 people into work or education.

"“Working in the employability space, self-employment is often overlooked but such a viable alternative for many. I love that we provide opportunities for people to earn a living whilst doing something that they love, on their own terms”"

Head of Business & Enterprise

Ts’anna

Ts’anna (Tish) is our Business Support Coordinator, providing essential support across all areas to ensure the smooth day-to-day operations of the business. She is dedicated to maintaining strong relationships with our participants, contract partners, and referrers, helping to create a seamless and positive experience for everyone we work with.

“I love that everyone here treats each participant as an individual and seeing all the passion that goes into supporting them to build a business that fits their life and celebrates their unique strengths is truly inspiring.”

Business Support Coordinator

Shanice

Shanice is a facilitator, programme designer and a big people person at heart! Much of her work revolves around bringing people together, creating meaningful experiences and turning ideas into action.

Shanice loves meeting new people, having great conversations and finding ways to make things both impactful and enjoyable. She is a big believer that you can do brilliant work while having a good laugh along the way!

Associate Trainer & London Rep

Jefferson

Associate Trainer - Kent & London

Jefferson Iweh is a trainer, facilitator, career coach and community engagement professional with over 16 years’ experience supporting individuals and communities. He has trained over 1,000 people in digital skills, employability, business development and professional development. His experience spans local government, education, charities and social enterprise, including career coaching, youth mentoring and inclusive workshops. At City Gateway, he supported 60+ young people and apprentices, contributing to an 85% positive progression rate into employment or training. As a college governor and business mentor, Jefferson is committed to removing barriers, building confidence and helping people turn their potential into progress.

Denise

Associate Trainer - Sussex

Denise is an experienced trainer, consultant and coach with over 30 years’ experience across education, inclusion, mental health and additional needs. Her work has included supporting young people permanently excluded from school and those involved with Youth Offending Teams, alongside training professionals across justice, education, health, social care-related settings.

As a self-employed business owner, in consultancy, training and coaching, and in party equipment hire, Denise brings practical experience of developing services, marketing, pricing and finding customers. She is passionate about helping people recognise their strengths, overcome barriers and explore realistic routes into self-employment.

Nick

Associate Trainer - South Wales

Nick is a business trainer, entrepreneur and coach with more than 35 years of commercial experience. As a former business owner, he is passionate about helping people start, grow and succeed in their own businesses.

Through practical training, mentoring and coaching, Nick supports aspiring entrepreneurs to develop the confidence, leadership skills and strategies needed to become self-employed and achieve lasting success.

Rachel

Associate Trainer - Somerset

My career mission is to help people build their self-confidence to achieve their goals, to be their best selves and strive for the lifestyle they desire. I am a positive and proactive soul with a variety of business skills acquired throughout my career both within employment and running my own businesses.

Work life balance is essential…I love to travel, anywhere, in my campervan, working on the move, exploring our beautiful countryside and coastline along the way, definitely some festivals and music events feature in my calendar each year to keep me motivate

Emma

Associate Trainer - North Wales

Emma is a passionate advocate for people development, bringing over 20 years of experience supporting individuals, teams and organisations to realise their potential. An experienced executive coach, facilitator and leadership development specialist, Emma combines commercial insight with a genuine warmth, empathy and belief in the power of people to create positive change.

Throughout her career, Emma has worked across a diverse range of industries, helping people build confidence, develop their capabilities and navigate challenges with greater self-awareness and resilience. Her approach is grounded in kindness, curiosity and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard, supported and empowered to move forward.

Emma is particularly passionate about creating environments where people feel valued, understood and able to recognise their own strengths and possibilities. She brings an inclusive, person-centred approach to her work, meeting people where they are and supporting them to identify their own path towards growth, positive change and a brighter future.

Bryan

Associate Trainer - Dorset

Bryan is an enthusiastic, motivational trainer, facilitator and coach who combines a wealth of commercial working experience with an engaging, and inclusive delivery style.