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 has joined us as a Patron! He perfectly aligns with our mission to empower marginalized 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

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Lord Dr Michael Hastings CBE

Lord Dr Michael Hastings CBE has joined us as a Patron.

A passionate advocate for social justice and human rights, Lord Hastings brings extensive experience across the corporate, public, and non-profit sectors. His insight and expertise will help us empower the long-term unemployed and people with convictions through self-employment, creating pathways to financial independence and self-sufficiency.

RIFT Social Enterprise Patron

Rhys

Rhys is our Lead Trainer, delivering all of our courses and content to those accessing our journey model, and our external training courses, whilst overseeing all RSE webinars. He has delivered training courses for Further Education Colleges and Universities, HMP Prison Service, and Housing Associations

"Being able to take a group of learners, regardless of background, circumstance, or where they are in the business’ life, and showcase to them new ways of finding sales, or different content for social media, and seeing them have the ‘lightbulb moment. That’s what inspires me."

Business Start-Up Advisor and Lead Trainer

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

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."

Business Start-Up Advisor

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

Gemma

Gemma joined RIFT Social Enterprise in 2022 after 14 years with the RIFT Group, bringing experience in tax, accounting, and marketing with a focus on customer insight. She loves digging into how things work and finding ways to improve our services for participants.

Head of Operations

Jemma

Jemma leads the WISE Project, overseeing its participatory action learning approach to ensure continuous learning and development. She has been shortlisted for the CJA 2025 Outstanding Individual Award and nominated for Inspirational Woman of the Year 2025.

"Supporting women through self-employment is so much more than running your own business. It’s doing work you love, personal growth, independence, using your skills, and empowering them to recognise their worth and build confidence."

WISE Project Lead

Holly

Holly is our WISE Project Support Officer, using her coaching experience to deliver self-employment support to women in prisons and the community, helping them build confidence and move into self-employment.

"What inspires me most about supporting people through self-employment is watching them realise they can create something of their own - that their ideas, skills, and lived experiences have real value. I love seeing people reclaim a sense of freedom and self-belief when they realise they can design a life and livelihood on their own terms."

WISE Project Support Officer

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.”