Our team

Gill Bryant (she/her)

Chief Executive Officer

Gill is EveryStory’s Chief Executive Officer. She brings over 30 years’ experience in the health and social care sector, including 23 years in the voluntary sector. Gill has worked with a wide range of people and communities, including autistic children and adults, people with learning disabilities, those experiencing homelessness, and people affected by mental health or substance use challenges.

As CEO, Gill is responsible for the strategic direction of EveryStory. She works closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure strong governance, leads the executive team, and oversees the operational, financial and compliance functions of the organisation. She also represents EveryStory externally, helping to strengthen our profile and grow our impact.

Gill is passionate about inclusion and making sure the people we support are seen, heard, and fully part of their communities.

Fahmeeda Amode (she/her)

Director of Finance and Housing

Fahmeeda has worked with the organisation for over 15 years and brings more than 20 years of financial experience in the charity sector. She is an FCCA-qualified accountant and plays a key role in supporting EveryStory’s sustainability and strategic growth.

She leads the finance and housing teams and is responsible for delivering strong financial systems to guide decision making. Fahmeeda also oversees GDPR and IT across the organisation, ensuring we work efficiently, safely and in line with best practice.

Fahmeeda is proud to support a charity that puts people first and is driven by a strong sense of purpose and impact.

Stephen O’Brien (he/him)

Director of Operations and Development

Stephen joined EveryStory in March 2025 as Director of Operations and Development. He has worked in the care sector since 1997, beginning his career as a support worker and leading services across both charities and for-profit organisations.

Much of Stephen’s experience has focused on setting up new services for autistic people and people with learning and physical disabilities, particularly in the Southeast. He spent many years as a Registered Manager and brings a deep understanding of frontline practice.

At Everystory Stephen is responsible for ensuring our teams are professional, responsive and person-centred. He’s passionate about helping people live the lives they choose, and supporting staff and families to make that happen

Michelle Jewell (she/her)

Director of Resource and Governance

Mich brings over 12 years of experience in the learning disability sector, having worked in a variety of roles, most notably as part of the Transforming Care programme where she supported people to move out of long-stay hospitals and into homes in the community.

At EveryStory, Mich leads on a number of key compliance functions. She oversees our office and HR teams, manages health and safety, learning and development, contract management, and insurance. She also serves as Company Secretary and is the governance lead for the Board of Trustees.

Mich is passionate about supporting people to live life on their own terms and is proud to be part of an organisation that puts people at the centre of everything it does.

James Radford (he/him)

Board Chair

I’ve long believed that increasing the choice and control people have over their lives enhances dignity, freedom, and quality of life. Tackling the inequalities that hold back autistic people and people with learning disabilities is essential, and I’ve been truly inspired by the impact Everystory makes through its person-centred approach. I believe in our potential to reach further and make an even greater difference.

Over the past 20 years, I’ve focused on addressing health and wellbeing inequalities, from promoting physical activity to improving healthcare responses. I’ve held leadership roles in the sport sector and at St John Ambulance, where I helped lead the charity’s extensive volunteer response to Covid-19. I’m currently Strategy and Transformation Director at Age UK and work as a consultant and executive coach, supporting organisations to maximise their impact for underrepresented groups.

Since 2022, I’ve also served as a trustee of the Blackheath Conservatoire for the Arts and Music.

Jean Young (she/her)

Board Member

Everystory has been part of my life for almost 40 years, since my brother was first supported by the organisation. I’ll always be grateful for the care, support and opportunities he received- those memories still make me smile.

I became a trustee 10 years ago. It is a privilege to continue supporting EveryStory as it grows and evolves. As a family member, I bring both professional insight and lived experience, and I’m proud to play a part in helping shape an organisation that continues to put people first.

Nicole Allwood (she/her)

Board Member

I’m currently Head of Commissioning Practice and Development in children’s services at a local authority, working to improve services for children, young people, and families. My focus is on making sure commissioning is inclusive, evidence-based, and shaped by the voices and lived experiences of the people it affects.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked in a person-centred way, driven by a belief in people’s potential and the importance of creating systems that enable, not limit that potential.

I joined EveryStory as a trustee five years ago because I’m passionate about equity, inclusion, and high-quality support for people with disabilities, all of which sit at the heart of what we do. Every interaction with the EveryStory team reminds me of the shared commitment to improving opportunities and outcomes for the people we support to live full, meaningful lives.

Ramandeep Jhattu (he/him)

Quality, People and Risk Committee Chair

I’m honoured to join EveryStory as a trustee, inspired by its commitment to supporting autistic people and people with learning disabilities to thrive.

Throughout my career in NHS and primary care leadership, I’ve championed inclusive, person-centred approaches and worked to transform services to better meet the needs of diverse communities. I bring strategic, financial and operational expertise to the board, having led major healthcare federations, secured vital contracts, and navigated complex governance challenges. My work has always been grounded in collaboration, empowerment, and a focus on equity.

EveryStory’s vision resonates with me both professionally and personally. I believe everyone deserves the chance to live with dignity, independence and purpose, and I’m proud to support the charity’s continued growth and impact.

Jessamy Baird (she/her)

Board Member

Supporting people with learning disabilities is something that’s always been close to my heart. My daughter is a support worker, and seeing the impact of her work has only strengthened my connection to this sector.

I’ve spent over 20 years in healthcare, including senior roles in the NHS and life sciences, and as General Manager and Country Lead for Sanofi UK & Ireland. I was honoured to receive an MBE for services to healthcare innovation in 2024. I have held non-executive roles across NHS organisations and serve as a Board Trustee with Duchenne UK.

When I met the EveryStory team, I was inspired by their values and the difference they make. I wanted to bring my skills and experience to support that work.

Hetal Desai (he/him)

Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair

Hetal brings over five years’ experience in the charity sector, alongside more than 20 years in senior finance roles across retail, telecoms and utilities. He currently serves as a Trustee and Finance Chair at Right2Work and is a Board Member at the Greenford Willow Tree Lions Club.

He is passionate about supporting organisations that improve the lives of those with learning disabilities and autistic people. He is particularly drawn to work that empowers people to live with more choice and independence.

Ava Zadkhorvash (she/her)

Board Member

Ava is an award-winning senior lawyer and specialist in regulatory risk, compliance, and governance, with over 15 years’ experience advising UK and international governments, global law firms, and FTSE-listed institutions. Her career spans state-to-state mediation and advising on major infrastructure projects, using legal strategy to drive cross-border collaboration and support investment into emerging markets. Her work focuses on legal reform that enables inclusive, community-led development.

Ava now brings this experience into the charity sector, helping organisations strengthen governance, navigate complexity, and grow responsibly. 

Ava joined EveryStory to support its next phase of development, bringing legal rigour and values-led strategy to a charity based in the community where she lives.