Biographies

Trustees

Mrs Wendy E Bailey

Wendy is now retired and lives mainly in Dorset. In London, where she was known as Wendy Stephenson, she worked for more than 40 years in the worlds of arts, culture and heritage in the UK and many other parts of the world. In the early 1980s she created a sponsorship consultancy, which specialised in assisting companies with their sponsorship strategy and activation. Wendy created and ran multiple cross-border sponsorships joining companies in diverse sectors (including financial, fast-moving consumer goods, motor, engineering and energy) to arts organisations such as major orchestras, arts festivals and renowned museums and galleries. After selling her company, Wendy continued to consult to numerous organisations across many sectors and worked extensively on sponsorships in the fields of education and science.

Wendy has served as a trustee on the board of several charities and for several years was invited to be an external attendee of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Corporate Social Responsibility.

Dr M Natalie P Briggs

Natalie’s career has focused on HR, education, and charity roles, working in Harland and Wolf as a HR administrator, Dean of Business Studies Faculty in Bromley Further and Higher College, Education Head at The College of Surgeons of England, CEO of Vision Aid Overseas (now Vision Action) and interim CEO of the World Council of Optometry.

Natalie is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, previously a member of the Council and Chairman of the livery charity. She is currently Chairman of The Steel Charitable Trust. Her qualifications include a BSc in Social Science (Queen’s University, Belfast), MBA (Cass Business School, London) and Doctor of Education (King’s College London).

During her chairmanship of The Steel Charitable Trust, she has led a strategic review to update the grant giving policies and governance, and supported restructuring of the investment portfolio. She has been committed to the provision of a high standard of grant awards during her tenure.

Natalie has two daughters and four grandchildren; she enjoys travel, gardening, reading, and cooking for her friends.

Mr Peter Day

Peter is a member of the Finance and Investment Committee and Chairman-elect of the Trust, expecting to take on the role in the latter part of 2026. Peter has enjoyed a career of almost 30 years in the asset management industry, in various leadership positions and as a portfolio manager. He is a listening volunteer with the Luton branch of the Samaritans.

When Peter isn’t spending time with his two daughters, he enjoys drumming, playing tennis and country walks with his dog. 

Mr Jonathan M R Finch

Jonathan brings a strong blend of entrepreneurial experience, governance expertise and community commitment to The Steel Charitable Trust. As the owner of his own successful business, he has extensive experience in leadership, strategic planning, finance and building long-term partnerships. This commercial background gives him a practical understanding of sustainable growth, responsible decision-making and the importance of investing wisely for the future.

Alongside his business career, Jonathan has a long-standing commitment to the voluntary sector. He has served as a Trustee and former Chair of the James Marshall Foundation, helping oversee grant-making, governance and stewardship of charitable assets to support young people. He is also Chair of Trustees for Harpenden & Wheathampstead District Scouts and was a Scout Leader for over 30 years, reflecting a deep commitment to youth development, leadership and community service.

Outside work and charity commitments, Jonathan enjoys rugby and remains actively involved in the game as a referee. He also loves the outdoors and can often be found walking his dog around the Hertfordshire countryside.

Mr Philip C Lawford

After 20-something years in investment banking, which included two stints in the US, Philip made a career switch into the world of philanthropy. For 15 years he served as Director of the Linbury Trust, the grant-making charitable trust established by the late Lord (John) Sainsbury of Preston Candover and his wife Anya, Lady Sainsbury; since 2019, he has held a similar position at the AKO Foundation, a charitable foundation established by the Norwegian investment manager, Nicolai Tangen.

Philip joined the Drapers’ Livery Company in 1979 and has been a Member of the Court since 2017; he is the current Master Warden. In addition, he sits on the advisory board of Greenwich Hospital.

Philip has a particular interest in music. Both his parents were professional musicians, and as a small boy he was a chorister in the choir of St Paul’s Cathedral. These days he continues to be very active in amateur, mostly choral, singing, and is also frequently to be found at any one of several opera houses. Alternatively, he may be playing bridge.

Ms Sophie E Wilkins

Sophie is a member of the Risk and Audit Committee. Alongside her role with the Trust, she works as a Group Financial Controller and is CIMA qualified, bringing extensive experience in financial leadership, governance, and strategic planning.

Sophie began her professional career at 18 at KPMG. Coming from a non-privileged background, she chose to go straight into employment rather than university and has worked her way up into senior leadership roles through determination, resilience and a strong work ethic.

Sophie is passionate about supporting charities and organisations that improve lives, particularly those focused on children and young people. She believes that positive influences and access to opportunity from an early age can make a lasting difference, and she is especially interested in helping young women build confidence and broaden their career aspirations. As a professional woman in her 30s, she is committed to promoting inclusive opportunities and encouraging others to realise their potential, regardless of background.

Outside of work and her trustee responsibilities, Sophie values the importance of family, balance and community.

Mr Nicholas E W Wright, BEM

Educated at Lancing College and attended the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School. Nicholas lived in Luton until the mid ‘50s and maintained a connection ever since, including serving as a member of the Court of the University of Bedfordshire.

From 1959 to 1964, Nicholas trained as a chartered accountant in the City of London and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. Initially he worked in the profession for approximately ten years, during which time he advised Mr & Mrs Steel over their financial affairs and recommended them to form The Steel Charitable Trust in 1976. He has acted as a trustee since its formation and was its chairman for many years until 2017.

Having left the profession, Nicholas held the roles of Chief Executive, Finance Director and Company Secretary in a number of public and private financial services sectors, including investment banking, insurance and property organisations. He retired in 2001.

Nicholas has also acted as a trustee of a small grant-making charity and a national medical charity. Married since 1972 and living in London, he has two children and five grandchildren.

Administration

Isla Stanger

Isla has worked for the Trust since 2018 and has delivered significant developments in grants management, communications and relationship-building, particularly in Luton.

Educated in Scotland, her working life began as an unintentional tech pioneer, installing the first wave of data-driven computerised ticketing systems in theatres and leisure venues round the UK and the USA, and training their unsuspecting staff. From there, her career took a somewhat unconventional route, negotiated round the needs of her growing family, through various roles including senior positions with a farming and conservation charity and a physics education charity, and managing hospitality and schools outreach for thousands of fans at the Varsity rugby matches at Twickenham.

Outside work, Isla is committed to creating community. She helps run a community allotment and green space conservation group, sings with a charitable fundraising choir, and volunteers front-of-house at the Stables Theatre, MK. She enjoys hiking, yoga and reading, and the diverse cultural life of Milton Keynes.

Nick Panayi

With over 40 years of accounting experience, Nick is ACCA trained and began his career as an Audit Junior within accountancy practices before transitioning into industry, having been headhunted by a client into a Finance Director role. Following the successful completion of a company sale, he chose to pursue a freelance career, undertaking a range of senior finance positions. Since October 2017, Nick has been serving as Financial Controller for The Steel Charitable Trust on a freelance basis.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, he maintains a strong interest in sports and exercise, enjoys cruising, Marvel films and cooking for extended family gatherings.