Ufi VocTech Trust

Alex Bishop is Associate Director of Ventures at Ufi VocTech Trust, working with Ufi Ventures, the organization's investment arm. Bishop focuses on early-stage impact investing.

Founding Partner who led Fund I investments in Xvision, Finqware, Beez, UndeLucram, and Aggero. A former serial entrepreneur, M&A lawyer, and business angel with over 21 years of legal experience at firms including PwC and Schoenherr. Member of the Investment Committee.

Anthony Painter is Director of Strategic Engagement at Ufi VocTech Trust, where he works to support vocational technologies related to skills, the economy, and social impact. He previously served as Director of Policy and External Affairs at the Chartered Management Institute and as Chief Research and Impact Officer at the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (The RSA). He is the author of two books, including "Left without a future? Social justice in anxious times," and writes a Substack called the Three Economies.

Chairs Ufi VocTech Trust's Board of Trustees, which holds overarching responsibility for the organisation's work.

Fay Bagnowiec joined Ufi VocTech Trust in 2015 as PA to the Chief Executive. In 2025 she became Ufi's Governance Secretary, supporting the Board of Trustees and handling the organisation of Board meetings, Committees, and related administration.

Jane Holmes is Associate Director of Grants at Ufi VocTech Trust, a grant funder and venture investor supporting the development and use of technology for vocational learning. She previously spent 15 years in industrial sales and business management, followed by several years assisting overseas companies with establishing operations in the UK. She also founded Host Consulting, which provided project and grant development, management, and delivery consultancy to organizations across multiple sectors.

Josh Smith is Head of Public Affairs at Ufi VocTech Trust, where he develops public affairs and partnerships strategy focused on the use of technology in vocational education and adult skills. He also serves as Director of Policy at Next Gen Tories and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). His experience includes stakeholder engagement, APPG secretariat work, policy briefing, and message development across sectors including not-for-profit, industrial, transport, and FinTech.

Mahreen Ferdous serves as Evaluation and Impact Manager at Ufi VocTech Trust, overseeing the organisation's evaluation of its impact on learners and the vocational sector.

Manon Dark is a Communications Officer at Ufi VocTech Trust, a grant funder and venture investor supporting the development of adult vocational skills through digital technology. Her responsibilities include managing the promotion of Ufi's grant funding calls, producing the Community Newsletter, and providing technical support at events, alongside assisting the Head of Communications. Before joining Ufi, she worked as a journalist for organisations including The Daily Express and Faculti.

Steve King is Head of IT at Ufi VocTech Trust, where he is responsible for the organisation's IT function. His remit spans hands-on desktop support through to the strategic IT roadmap.

Thomas Heiser is Associate Director of Strategy and Communications at Ufi, where he oversees the delivery of the organisation's communications activity in support of its mission. He has a background in events and communications spanning both private and public sectors. Before joining Ufi in 2021, he ran an events business serving clients including the United Nations Foundation, the Global Parliament of Mayors, and Nesta.

Rebecca Garrod-Waters has served as Chief Executive of Ufi VocTech Trust since 2014, where she leads its work as a grant funder and venture investor focused on digital tools for adult vocational learning. She previously held senior roles including Director of Innovation at Advantage West Midlands and Assistant Director for Innovation & Technology Policy at the UK Department of Trade and Industry, with a background in innovation, technology policy, and economic development across the public, private, and third sectors.

Managing Director with 20+ years of infrastructure and private equity investment experience, previously Head and Principal at the IFC Global Infrastructure Fund and a Managing Director at PineBridge Investments. Holds an MBA from IIM Bangalore.

Holds a Master's in Mechanical Engineering with a biomedical specialization from UCL and brings tech consulting and engineering expertise to sourcing founders across food and agtech.