Our Team

Meet the Trustees

  • Ashley James

    CHAIR

    Now retired, Ash spent 40+ years in banking, latterly as a Senior Manager in the Commercial and SME environment. Responsible for a portfolio of clients, Ash used interpersonal skills and technical knowledge to help businesses grow and prosper. A committed Christian, he is a member of Above Bar Church and is currently its Treasurer.

    Ash has been part of The Big Difference since its inception and was instrumental in facilitating its transition from a small group of likeminded individuals distributing food parcels to becoming a significant independent charity. He combines his many years in the commercial world and his Christian ethos to help in the alleviation of food insecurity in Southampton.

  • Mike Spradbery

    TRUSTEE

    Mike is a Cloud and AI Specialist at Microsoft, helping central government innovate, modernise and transform services. With 25+ years in technology and leadership. Mentoring and coaching are central to his approach, with a focus on early‑career colleagues and developing talent from diverse backgrounds.

    As a trustee of The Big Difference, Mike brings his energy and experience into community impact, committed to helping shape strategy and partnerships as the charity grows.

    Mike also serves as a trustee with Venturers Norfolk Broads Cruise, where sailing builds confidence, teamwork and character in young people. Away from trustee work, Mike is a keen musician, active in his local church, a lifelong sailor, and a husband and dad to three grown‑up children.

  • Chris Ward

    TRUSTEE

    Chris Ward is CEO of Vermont Systems, a Southampton-based IT services company supporting small and mid-sized businesses and non-profits. With a passion for reducing risk, optimising technology and freeing teams to focus on what really moves the needle.

    As a Trustee of The Big Difference, Chris brings this commercial-and-community mindset to the charity’s mission of food redistribution across the Southampton area. He believes efficient systems and smart partnerships matter just as much in the non-profit world as they do in business and is committed to ensuring every step adds up to real-world impact for families facing food insecurity.

    Outside work, Chris is a keen surfer, hiker and traveller, and lives locally with his wife and two daughters.

  • James Lapage

    TRUSTEE

    As a qualified Chartered Accountant and Chairman of a family property company, James brings extensive financial expertise, leadership experience, and a long-standing commitment to supporting local communities.

    His involvement with The Big Difference began during the COVID pandemic through his membership of Rotary, where fellow members both volunteer and work alongside the organisation. Since then, supporting communities and helping those facing hardship has become an important part of his voluntary work.

    James has been an active member of Rotary since 1991, contributing to a wide range of initiatives focused on supporting young people, families, and vulnerable communities. Working closely with The Big Difference, James volunteers at the Young Carers Festival, helps organise Christmas celebrations for young people in disadvantaged areas of Southampton, and supports the distribution of more than 360 food parcels to families in need through local schools.

    Creating opportunities for young people is a particular passion. Through Rotary, he helps local state school students participate in youth competitions including Young Chef, which he leads, alongside Young Writer, Young Photographer, and Technology competitions.

    Alongside these roles, James serves as a trustee for five local grant-giving charitable trusts supporting grassroots charities and acts as clerk to a trust that provides school uniforms for children living in Southampton.

Meet Management

  • Dr. Sanjay Mall

    CEO

    Sanjay founded The Big Breakfast 19 years ago with a simple but powerful mission: to create a safe, welcoming space for people experiencing homelessness by providing hot breakfasts, food parcels, and a sense of community and dignity for those in need. He continues to lead this as a volunteer every Thursday. This ministry was nominated for The Kings Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) in 2024.

    Building on this commitment to supporting others, he went on to establish The Big Difference in 2020, expanding his work to address wider social challenges and strengthen community support networks.

    In 2020 he was nominated for the Police and Crime Commissioner's award for his work with the homeless in Southampton.

    He was also put forward for The Queens Award in 2021 by Southampton City Council and received a highly commended award by the council for his work during COVID with the homeless.

    Sanjay received the highly commended in 2023 at the BBC Radio Solent make a difference awards.

    In 2025 Sanjay was one of the winners in the Unity 101 awards for his dedicated commitment to the communities he helps.

    He was also nominated as one of the city’s community legends in 2024 amongst 40 other people who were displayed on the old City’s walls across Southampton.

    He was also a volunteer for the first 3.5 years in The Big Difference, and the charity has been nominated for the KAVS award (2026).

    Deeply connected within the local community, Sanjay works collaboratively with community groups, charities, local councillors, and educational institutions to raise awareness of social and financial hardship and develop practical, long-term solutions. His work is driven by a belief that lasting change happens when communities come together to support one another.

    Sanjay and his team have now pioneered the idea of Social Supermarkets which help the so many struggling with food aid.

    Passionate about inclusion and social impact, Sanjay is dedicated to helping individuals from all walks of life overcome barriers, access opportunities, and feel valued within their communities. His compassionate and community-focused approach continues to create meaningful change for those facing hardship.

  • Aaron Dolman

    Logistics and Operations Manager

    Aaron has spent many years living and working abroad, primarily in China, where he worked closely within communities as a translator, building connections across cultures and supporting people from diverse backgrounds.

    His passion for helping others led him into charity work, where he supported children in care, developing a strong understanding of the importance of advocacy, compassion, and creating opportunities for young people to thrive.

    As a father of four, Aaron brings both personal and professional experience to his community work. He is deeply passionate about supporting individuals and strengthening communities.

    Since joining The Big Difference, Aaron has played a pivotal role in pioneering and developing the charity’s Social Supermarket programme, helping to create a sustainable and dignified way for individuals and families to access affordable and healthy food and support. His innovative approach and commitment to community impact have helped shape the service into a vital resource for thousands of people across Southampton and beyond.

    In his role overseeing operations and logistics, Aaron takes a dynamic and solutions-focused approach to the daily challenges of collecting and redistributing food. Working with supermarkets, farms, manufacturers, and suppliers across Hampshire, the South Coast, and beyond, he coordinates complex logistics to ensure surplus food reaches those who need it most. His ability to build strong partnerships, adapt quickly to changing circumstances, and find practical solutions has been instrumental in expanding The Big Difference’s reach and impact.

    Aaron’s commitment to serving others continues to drive his work, with a focus on reducing food poverty, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for people to overcome challenges and thrive.

    Among other nominations for awards Aaron was awarded with the Community Legends award in 2025. He has received various other volunteer awards during his time with The Big Difference.

  • Kelly Chahal

    Finance Director

    Kelly trained with PricewaterhouseCoopers and has spent many years working in industry as a Finance Director, leading organisations through periods of financial challenge towards long-term stability, resilience, and growth. With extensive experience working alongside senior boards and leadership teams, she brings both strategic expertise and a people-focused approach to her work.

    Passionate about supporting others and creating positive change, Kelly has worked with a wide range of organisations, including charities, helping them strengthen their foundations while remaining focused on the communities they serve.

    Kelly first joined The Big Difference as a volunteer three years ago, supporting local community groups and building strong relationships across the organisation before becoming part of the management team. Her commitment to people, connection, and community continues to shape her approach to leadership.

    As a mother, and with a personal passion for yoga and meditation, Kelly is a strong advocate for wellbeing and believes that supporting people holistically creates stronger, healthier communities. She is dedicated to fostering inclusive, compassionate environments where individuals and communities can thrive.

  • Helena Boyce

    Founder & Director, YOUbuntu CIC | Anti-Racism & Racial Literacy Specialist

    Helena Boyce is an Anti-Racism and Racial Literacy Specialist, educator, public speaker, and Founder of YOUbuntu CIC. With over 20 years of experience working in educational settings, Helena is passionate about creating safe, inclusive spaces where people can explore race, identity, culture, and belonging through open, honest, and respectful dialogue.

    Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience as a Mixed-Race woman, Helena delivers engaging workshops, presentations, assemblies, staff training, and facilitated discussions for schools, organisations, and community groups. Her approach combines education, empathy, and practical action, helping participants build confidence in discussing race and challenging prejudice.

    Since founding YOUbuntu in 2023, Helena has delivered workshops to over 5,000 students and staff across multiple schools and organisations. Her work has had a proven positive impact in over 15 schools, with feedback consistently reporting increased confidence in discussing race, greater empathy and understanding, improved respect for others, and stronger awareness of the impact of prejudice and discrimination.

    Before establishing YOUbuntu, Helena spent many years teaching dances of Black origin across the UK, using the arts as a vehicle for education, cultural appreciation, and community engagement. This experience helped shape her belief in the power of education to bring people together and inspire meaningful change.

    Alongside her educational work, Helena is an experienced public speaker who has hosted, presented, and spoken at events for organisations including Breast Cancer Now, Black Women Rising, Sainsbury's, the NHS Foundation Trust, and Southampton City Council. She has also appeared on ITV News and The Lorraine Show and has been featured in Boots Magazine, ASDA's Tickled Pink Campaign, Sunday Express S Magazine, and Black Women Rising publications, where she has spoken about her experiences as a Mixed-Race woman and highlighted healthcare inequalities affecting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

    Through YOUbuntu, Helena's mission is to inspire the spirit of Ubuntu — a South African philosophy meaning "I am because we are" — encouraging greater understanding, compassion, and connection between people from all backgrounds. Her work helps schools, organisations, and communities move beyond awareness and towards meaningful, lasting change.’

Strategic Partner - YOUbuntu CIC

Helena boyce

Founder & Director, YOUbuntu CIC | Anti-Racism & Racial Literacy Specialist

Helena Boyce is an Anti-Racism and Racial Literacy Specialist, educator, public speaker, and Founder of YOUbuntu CIC. With over 20 years of experience working in educational settings, Helena is passionate about creating safe, inclusive spaces where people can explore race, identity, culture, and belonging through open, honest, and respectful dialogue.

Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience as a Mixed-Race woman, Helena delivers engaging workshops, presentations, assemblies, staff training, and facilitated discussions for schools, organisations, and community groups. Her approach combines education, empathy, and practical action, helping participants build confidence in discussing race and challenging prejudice.

Since founding YOUbuntu in 2023, Helena has delivered workshops to over 5,000 students and staff across multiple schools and organisations. Her work has had a proven positive impact in over 15 schools, with feedback consistently reporting increased confidence in discussing race, greater empathy and understanding, improved respect for others, and stronger awareness of the impact of prejudice and discrimination.

 

Before establishing YOUbuntu, Helena spent many years teaching dances of Black origin across the UK, using the arts as a vehicle for education, cultural appreciation, and community engagement. This experience helped shape her belief in the power of education to bring people together and inspire meaningful change.

Alongside her educational work, Helena is an experienced public speaker who has hosted, presented, and spoken at events for organisations including Breast Cancer Now, Black Women Rising, Sainsbury's, the NHS Foundation Trust, and Southampton City Council. She has also appeared on ITV News and The Lorraine Show and has been featured in Boots Magazine, ASDA's Tickled Pink Campaign, Sunday Express S Magazine, and Black Women Rising publications, where she has spoken about her experiences as a Mixed-Race woman and highlighted healthcare inequalities affecting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

Through YOUbuntu, Helena's mission is to inspire the spirit of Ubuntu — a South African philosophy meaning "I am because we are" — encouraging greater understanding, compassion, and connection between people from all backgrounds. Her work helps schools, organisations, and communities move beyond awareness and towards meaningful, lasting change.’