Business leader Mark Pumfrey takes over as Chair of the Fundraising Board from 12 October 2021.

Mark has over 35 years’ experience in the financial services industry and is currently Senior Advisor to TPICAPs Agency Execution division which recently acquired Liquidnet, the global institutional equity and Fixed Income trading network. Mark was previously Global Head of Equities and CEO for EMEA of Liquidnet.

Mark is also an active member of The October Club (having been its Chair from 2013-17) – a committee of City workers raising transformational funds for smaller charities via an annual dinner and other events.

On committing to be Chair of the Fundraising Board, Mark said: “I am impressed by the outstanding management team and the great work that the charity is doing in these difficult times for so many vulnerable people. I am looking forward to the opportunity to bring my experience of the charity sector gained from many years working with the October Club to help Missing People extend the great impact it is having in this important area.” 

Sir Trevor is an iconic ITV newsreader and TV presenter. He is one of our longest-standing Patrons, joining shortly after the charity was registered in 1993. He was a friend of the founders Mary Asprey OBE and Janet Newman OBE, sadly now both deceased.

“It still shocks me that someone is reported missing every 90 seconds in the UK. Missing People is the only charity offering a lifeline when someone disappears, giving practical guidance and emotional support to bring vulnerable missing people home safely. It really is impossible to convey the breadth of their work in a single statement. I have been a Patron since their earliest days and am constantly impressed by their tireless and impactful work”.

Alex joined Engine | MHP + Mischief as CEO in November 2016 after a long career at Edelman where he worked with some of the biggest organisations in the country like News Corp, Sainsbury’s and Tata Steel. He has transformed the fortunes of the agency which has become the largest independent PR agency in the UK and recognised by its peers as 2019 agency of the year. He has most recently overseen the merger of corporate specialists MHP and consumer experts Mischief to create the UK’s newest large agency with a 200-strong team that blends behavioural science, industry expertise, influencer strategy, creativity and audience insight.

Selina is Chief Operating Officer at LCM Partners – one of Europe’s leading alternatives investment management firms, specialising in credit. Selina and her partner, Paul, built the business from scratch.

Selina was Chair of the Board from January 2017 to October 2021. She is still a highly valued Board member and is a major supporter of the charity.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Chair and working with the Fundraising Board and the fantastic team at Missing People. I know Mark will do an excellent job in leading the Board and I look forward to helping him and the charity where I can in the future.”

Giles is the Managing Partner at CIL, an international management consultancy that provides strategy consulting and due diligence support to management teams and investors such as private equity funds. He has over 20 years’ experience as a management consultant. Giles leads CIL’s healthcare and education practices. He has advised a number of providers of services that touch on the problem of missing people. They include special needs schools, providers of specialist care to social services, children’s care providers and providers of mental health services. Giles has a BA in Politics from Bristol University and lives in Bath with his wife and three children. He is a cricket fan and swims to keep the pounds off. This just about got him through a nine-hour challenge in the Brecon Beacons a few years ago to raise money for Missing People with some of his colleagues.

“I am a big fan of Missing People: not only what it does, but the way it does it with humility and humanity. I have supported Missing People since 2015, both on the fundraising board, and by providing pro-bono work through CIL.”

Poppy is Head of Operations and Business Development at Forum Auctions - the specialist auction house for Antiquarian Books and Manuscripts, 20th Century Literature, Modern & Contemporary Art and Editions, Old Master Prints and Drawings, Photographs and other Works on Paper. Her husband, Stephan, is CEO.

Gavin is a qualified Chartered Accountant and former Fund Manager. Currently, Head of Financial Services at The Smart Cube. Gavin has been instrumental in introducing Missing People to a number of Trusts and Foundations and is a Leading Light.

“Missing People is a fantastic small charity- punching well above its weight on a national level. Its mission of finding those missing and supporting those families left behind has become all the more important this year due to the financial and mental impact of Covid-19.”

Charles is the Principal at Global Infrastructure Partners, having been a Partner at Hillbrook Partners LLP for seven years. His previous companies include Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank.

Since 1999, Gordon has been developing and applying geophysical and remote sensing diagnostic technologies. He is co-founder and CEO of Adrok Ltd and has helped in the development of its intellectual property portfolio. Adrok Ltd is committed to finding a cleaner, greener and more efficient way to explore for critical minerals and resources for the future. Gordon is currently a member of the Energy Institute, Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, American Association of Petroleum Engineering, Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Scottish Oil Club, Institute of Directors, the Caledonian Club and the YPO Scotland chapter. Gordon supports young entrepreneurs as a Business Mentor for Business Mentoring Scotland, as well as for the Prince’s Trust Youth Business Scotland. Excited to join the Board and further his support for the charity, Gordon, via Adrok Ltd., has been a Leading Light since 2017. His wife, Debbie, has been an instrumental volunteer in bringing the charity’s carol services to Scotland.

Martyn is a seasoned executive having led numerous organisations for over 35 years. He subsequently became a founding partner of Ward and Hagon llp management consulting. He holds a number of non-executive and advisory roles such as chairman of the fundraising committee at Miricyl {mental illness research in children and young lives}, additional roles with Interim partners and tails trading. Keen to support his local community he is also president of the Rudgwick Football Club.

“When MD at Palmer and Harvey I met Missing People when searching for a good cause to support. When the team, including one of the parents, told me of their work I was humbled and amazed. I could not understand how they coped with such a major issue without closure. I understood how they coped as I learned more about the fantastic support they get from the brilliant team at Missing People. The search for the missing people whilst supporting those left behind is truly amazing. The unique support is critical and expensive which is why I am focussed on doing whatever I can to raise the much needed funds to develop this support further. The country would be so much less without the dedicated work of all at Missing People, the families of the 176,000 people that go missing each year would be left to fend for themselves. Truly inspirational people that deserve the best support possible.”

Sam is a Member of the Trustee Board at Missing People, also sitting on the Fundraising Board, Ethics Committee and Marketing Advisory Board. He is a career consultant and Founder of Obvious Candidate the personal branding service for ambitious career builders. He is also a Co-Founder of PROBLIFE a pioneering probiotic solutions company. Sam began his career in corporate marketing with Procter & Gamble and has worked as a consultant in over 60 countries across 6 continents. He has completed multiple endurance events including marathons, bike rides and 10Ks in aid of Missing People.

“As a Trustee and Fundraiser, I’m endlessly inspired by the work of the entire team at Missing People. The range of issues tackled are broad and complex - but they are matched perfectly by the limitless commitment and transformative impact of the charity’s teams helping individuals, families and stakeholders."

Tom is Global Head, Mergers & Acquisitions, Standard Chartered Bank.  He is based in Singapore.

" Missing People has a tremendous impact in its area of focus, supporting those who go missing through helplines and direct contact, supporting the families of those who go missing and campaigning on issues relating to missing people.  The Missing People team, led by Jo Youle, are fantastically energetic and effective.    I have been a supporter of Missing People since 2011 and was a founding member of the Fundraising Board.  I am very proud to support this wonderful charity.”