Who We Are
Friends on a quest!
The Switched On team is a group of friends who are using their skills to help give the poor "a leg up." As you might expect, there's a fair dose of the technology-lover in some of us, and we happen to be English speakers by, let's say, good fortune. We are agreed that technology and English training are key to enabling the world's very poor to lift themselves out of poverty. Most of us also happen to be committed Christians, though not exclusively.
As you will see from the profiles below, the trustees are all well-qualified professionals in relevant fields. We also have a kind of extended team of experts that we call on for advice on matters we're not so strong on, such as the latest practices for charities in the developing world and running fund raising campaigns.
We have many important participators who support the work through finances, encouragement, and some also pray. We'd like them, and you, to think of themselves as partners with us in the quest. Message exchanges with sponsored students is one important way, because it encourages your students to keep on hard at the studying, but participation can go far beyond that! We'd also like to be transparent with you about issues we're facing, because what we're doing is partly trail-blazing. This kind of relationship between us is the big benefit of being a small(ish) charity!
Trustees
Richard Newbould
MA (Cantab.), MSc, Switched On Managing Trustee & CEO. Currently developing Switched On project work. Over 13 years R&D & Project Management Experience in British Telecom.
Rod Stone
LLB, Switched On Trustee. Church leader. Formerly partner in a firm of solicitors with more than 20 years' experience working in the legal profession.
Edward Ramsden
MA (Cantab.), Switched On Trustee. Manager of software team, with over 14 years' experience in software industry. Church leader.
Phil Allnutt
BA, Switched On Trustee. Self-employed Web designer with over 4 years' experience (www.ip4design.com)
Wider Team
Merja Newbould
Over 3 years in educational work in developing nations. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (CELTA) certified.
Neil Rogers
BA Hons. 12 years working in graphic design.
Others
Additionally there are some 20 individuals who give considerable time contributing their skills directly to the Switched On work in the UK and Finland.
Associations
Switched On has close working relationships with two large international development agencies, from which we are grateful to receive much guidance and support. This includes Fida International, a Christian development agency funded by the Finnish government with whom we hope to run collaborative projects soon.