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KNA’s Patron

Lord (Chris) Holmes of Richmond MBE

Chris was a Paralympian gold-medallist 1988-2000, worked as a journalist and solicitor, and was elevated to the House of Lords in 2013. There he is an advocate for the potential of technology, including AI. He and his wife have lived in Kew since 2007.


Our Trustees

Chair: Kirsty Gillan-Thomas

 Kirsty has a background in social research and evaluation, focusing on issues of social policy and the charity sector. She currently works for Paul Hamlyn Foundation, a grant-making charity. During her career she has also worked for the Home Office, and a number of charities in a paid and voluntary capacity, with experience in fundraising, caring and work with children and young people. She has been living in the area since 2015 and joined KNA as a trustee in 2018.


Vice chair: Martin Keene 

Martin has lived in Kew for nearly ten years.  His wife, Laura, volunteers as a driver with KNA, and he works in the media in Paddington.


Treasurer: Chris Langley

Chris Langley joined KNA as Treasurer in 2024.  Recently retired as Treasurer for a container leasing company called Blue Sky based in Marlow. He was there for about 12 years and in total fulfilled similar roles in the container industry for about 34 years.  Chris is also Treasurer of Kew Scouts.

Martin has lived in Kew for nearly ten years.  His wife, Laura, volunteers as a driver with KNA, and he works in the media in Paddington.

 


Sergio Castedo

Sergio has lived in Kew for nearly 20 years and is proud to be part of the local community. He is married, and his two children attended a local school in Kew. He brings relevant experience in governance, strategic planning, and oversight from a long international career as an executive and non-executive director in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. Outside of work, Sergio enjoys running, yoga, meditation, DIY, and furniture making. Passionate about travel, nature conservation, and community engagement, he is excited to support KNA’s mission of helping neighbours live well, stay independent, and remain connected.


Martin Cross

Martin has lived in Kew since 1974.  He retired in 2009 from a career in financial services and became a KNA volunteer driver and trustee, including two periods as chair (2015-2017) and (2020-21).  He also volunteers with Oxfam and Age UK Richmond.  His wife Jenny is a KNA Driving Volunteer.


 Abhishek Mohanty 

Abhishek Mohanty is a social anthropologist and academic, Abhishek has been a companion volunteer with the KNA since 2022, the year he moved to Kew. Before pivoting to academia, he was a management consultant. He loves going running by the river, Market Sundays in the Village, and the benches on the Green.


Monsignor Canon John Weatherill

Monsignor Canon John Weatherill is the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Loreto & St Winefride's Catholic Church in Kew.  He joined KNA as a trustee in 2024.


 

 

 

Our staff

 

 We have four part-time paid members of staff -  a Director who oversees the charity, a Co-Ordinator to run the day today business of KNA a Companionship Manager who manages Kew Neighbour's Companionship Programme and a Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator to help KNA stay visible within our community.

 

 

 

Director
Abi Palmer
mail@kna.org.uk
07951 293 319

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Co-ordinator
Position Vacant - Application deadline tbc

(Last updated 07/05/2025)

 

 

 

Companionship Manager
Ioana Goga
ioana.goga@kna.org.uk
07534095885

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Marketing & Comms Co-ordinator
Justine Nagaur
justine.nagaur@kna.org.uk
07497376634

Justine Nagaur Marketing & Comms

 

 

 

 

  

Our volunteers

A team of volunteers run the office on week days from 10am – 12 noon, finding volunteer drivers, gardeners and shoppers to meet the requests of those who need the help of our wonderful team of volunteers. And referring Companionship requests to our Companionship Manager.