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The Vegetarian Society is a national charity governed by a board of trustees who are responsible for making sure we are focused on our goals. Our staff team are a small but extremely dedicated and productive community.
Chair, First appointed 5 Oct 2018
Lifelong vegetarian, Conn O’Neill, studied Politics at Stirling University. He manages external affairs for a pharmaceutical company. Having previously worked for a national health charity and a leading UK politician, he brings both charity sector and campaigning experience to the table.
Fond of replicating enjoyable restaurant meals at home, Conn especially enjoys Italian and Indian food.
Lifelong vegetarian, Conn O’Neill, studied Politics at Stirling University. He manages external affairs for a pharmaceutical company. Having previously worked for a national health charity and a leading UK politician, he brings both charity sector and campaigning experience to the table.
Fond of replicating enjoyable restaurant meals at home, Conn especially enjoys Italian and Indian food.
First appointed 17 Feb 2021
Deputy Chair, A fundraising professional with over 20 years’ experience, Sophie Randles-Dunkley has developed and delivered fundraising events, campaigns and projects for some of the UK’s most prominent charities.
A relative latecomer to vegetarianism, she wants to help others discover the joy of a veggie lifestyle, and make it easier for everyone to make the switch. She brings skills in fundraising, marketing, volunteer management and charity leadership to further the work of the organisation.
Deputy Chair, A fundraising professional with over 20 years’ experience, Sophie Randles-Dunkley has developed and delivered fundraising events, campaigns and projects for some of the UK’s most prominent charities.
A relative latecomer to vegetarianism, she wants to help others discover the joy of a veggie lifestyle, and make it easier for everyone to make the switch. She brings skills in fundraising, marketing, volunteer management and charity leadership to further the work of the organisation.
First appointed 3 Jan 2023
A lifelong vegetarian, Sima has an MA in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology and worked in the charity sector for over 15 years.
She has taught English in several countries around the world and has a vast array of experience in teaching, fundraising, social research, web design and property management. More recently she has begun working with young people with speech, language and communication needs.
Sima has a passion for trying new vegetarian/vegan recipes and has become a bit of a whizz at making sumptuous eggless cakes to share with friends and family.
A lifelong vegetarian, Sima has an MA in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology and worked in the charity sector for over 15 years.
She has taught English in several countries around the world and has a vast array of experience in teaching, fundraising, social research, web design and property management. More recently she has begun working with young people with speech, language and communication needs.
Sima has a passion for trying new vegetarian/vegan recipes and has become a bit of a whizz at making sumptuous eggless cakes to share with friends and family.
First appointed 23 March 2024
After a business career, Michael worked in nature conservation charities for over 20 years, in fundraising, leadership, finance and project management, helping protect threatened species and habitats, from conserving the UK’s rarest plants to saving tropical rainforest.
Vegetarian since 1984, the food the enjoys cooking is inspired by dishes from Italy, the Middle East and South Asia. He also loves the challenges of growing veg, breadmaking, understanding wine and playing bridge.
After a business career, Michael worked in nature conservation charities for over 20 years, in fundraising, leadership, finance and project management, helping protect threatened species and habitats, from conserving the UK’s rarest plants to saving tropical rainforest.
Vegetarian since 1984, the food the enjoys cooking is inspired by dishes from Italy, the Middle East and South Asia. He also loves the challenges of growing veg, breadmaking, understanding wine and playing bridge.
First appointed 3rd February 2026
A Senior Marketing Leader with over 15 years of experience, Rebecca Fairbairn has been driving impactful innovation and marketing campaigns for the FMCG portfolios of some of the UK and Europe’s best loved and best-known brands including Linda McCartney, Joya and Natumi in the plant-based sector. She brings brand and marketing skills to the board as well as being the voice of the FMCG industry and consumer.
She is a passionate advocate for animals and a proud vegetarian; as well as introducing friends and family to the wonderful world of plant-based food she loves going to watch live music and playing roller derby.
A Senior Marketing Leader with over 15 years of experience, Rebecca Fairbairn has been driving impactful innovation and marketing campaigns for the FMCG portfolios of some of the UK and Europe’s best loved and best-known brands including Linda McCartney, Joya and Natumi in the plant-based sector. She brings brand and marketing skills to the board as well as being the voice of the FMCG industry and consumer.
She is a passionate advocate for animals and a proud vegetarian; as well as introducing friends and family to the wonderful world of plant-based food she loves going to watch live music and playing roller derby.
First appointed 10th October 2026
Judi Blakeburn is an Advisor and Non-Executive Director with Watergate Bay Hotel and Another Place Hotels, where she was previously Chief Commercial Officer. She co-founded the Another Place collection and has spent over forty years in hospitality, including marketing for Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, she brings brand, commercial and guest experience skills to the board, together with governance experience from her years as a trustee of the Cornwall Food Foundation, which owned the social enterprise restaurant Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall.
Vegetarian all her adult life and now vegan, Judi has a long history with the Society – she was the Manager of the Cordon Vert Cookery School in the early nineties. She now lives a few minutes’ walk from the Society’s Manchester home, and is enjoying being part of the city.
Judi Blakeburn is an Advisor and Non-Executive Director with Watergate Bay Hotel and Another Place Hotels, where she was previously Chief Commercial Officer. She co-founded the Another Place collection and has spent over forty years in hospitality, including marketing for Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, she brings brand, commercial and guest experience skills to the board, together with governance experience from her years as a trustee of the Cornwall Food Foundation, which owned the social enterprise restaurant Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall.
Vegetarian all her adult life and now vegan, Judi has a long history with the Society – she was the Manager of the Cordon Vert Cookery School in the early nineties. She now lives a few minutes’ walk from the Society’s Manchester home, and is enjoying being part of the city.
First appointed 10th October 2026
A campaigns professional, Joanna has worked for leading UK and global animal welfare charities for over 20 years. Raised in rural Australia, she grew up working in her family’s takeaway, giving her a lifelong connection to food and the people who grow, cook and serve it. She now advocates for a food system that is kinder to animals, people and the planet.
Joanna is a long-term vegan who enjoys lifting heavy things at the gym and can happily discuss dogs, pigs and plant-based food for hours on end.
A campaigns professional, Joanna has worked for leading UK and global animal welfare charities for over 20 years. Raised in rural Australia, she grew up working in her family’s takeaway, giving her a lifelong connection to food and the people who grow, cook and serve it. She now advocates for a food system that is kinder to animals, people and the planet.
Joanna is a long-term vegan who enjoys lifting heavy things at the gym and can happily discuss dogs, pigs and plant-based food for hours on end.
Director of Marketing & Communications
Director of Finance and Operations
Head of the Cookery School
Campaigns and Advocacy Manager
Social Media Marketing Manager
Head of Fundraising & Membership
Fundraising and Administration Officer
Check out all of our current job vacancies and apply at the link below.
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