Meet the Team
I am the founder, Director of Operations and Inspirational Life Coach of BiG and feel truly blessed to be able to bring my 2 passions together - football and inspiring young people and empowering them to achieve. I am an ex semi professional footballer of 14 years, a UEFA B qualified football coach, who has worked at elite levels including Crystal Palace Academy for just under 5 years, and I am and an ex middle management civil servant of 23 years. Football has played a major role in my life and I have always used football as a powerful tool to unofficially mentor and guide children and young people. In 2010, I got a burning desire to do more to support young people so I left my successful civil service career and set up BiG in 2011. I believe that we all have a purpose in life, through our passions and to be able do what I love, gives me great satisfaction and in particular, the acknowledgement and gratitude from young people, teachers and parents has driven me to be resilient and to success during very tough times along my journey in developing a reputable and credible portfolio that with a great Leadership Team and volunteers have now been taken to new levels.
Lionel Best, Founder, Board of Director and Inspirational Life Coach
I am a passionate advocate and leader in the field of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), with over 15 years of experience in creating transformative change. Currently serving as the Equity Diversity Inclusive & Belonging (EDIB) Lead for two prominent charities, FareShare UK and The Felix Project, I specialise in building inclusive and diverse organisations, raising engagement, championing the rights of colleagues, underrepresented and underserved groups. My work within these charities focuses on fostering inclusive environments that empower individuals and organisations to thrive with an engaged welcoming and collaborative workforce for all.
Through my roles, I collaborates with teams and leadership to implement sustainable strategies that drive equity, diversity, and belonging and my expertise extends to designing impactful initiatives, delivering training, and providing guidance on legal frameworks and best practices. I am particularly committed to addressing systemic barriers and creating opportunities for marginalised groups to excel.
As a Board if Director at BIG, I aim to contribute my knowledge and skills to empower young people and children to realise their full potential and support the leadership team to achieve its aims and objectives. I am eager to learn from fellow members and exchange ideas, ensuring my contributions remain impactful and aligned with the evolving needs of the community. I believe in the power of collective action and continuous learning to drive meaningful, lasting change.
Serena Richmond, Board of Director
I joined as a volunteer with BiG in August 2020. I took an interest in the engagement and impact BiG is contributing to the young people in Lambeth. I joined to support BiG in the technology arena and Employability Programme for young people. I am currently employed in the education sector and supporting in the information and systems arena.
I have had the opportunity to attend some of the events BiG has organised from youth training events, aimed at among other things building resilience to attending the Young Parents Hub.
As a Board of Director member at BiG, I bring expertise to contribute towards the growth of BiG in technology, collaboration with external partners, sharing, learning and contributing to the growth of BiG in line with our Business Plan, as per the needs of the community we serve. The community we serve is the future generation of future leaders, that will continue the legacy of self-realisation, in those who need that encouragement to see it in themselves.
Sam Masaba, Finance and Engagement Director
I'm passionate about supporting children and young people, and I've been working in education for over 10 years, specialising in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). I love helping children achieve their full potential and make sure they feel valued and understood. Alongside my teaching experience, I am also a FA football level 1 coach and holiday club manager, which gives me the chance to bring fun and teamwork into young people's lives. I volunteer as a director for BIG CIC, where I focus on creating positive opportunities for children to grow and learn. Working with young people is what I truly love, and I’m dedicated to making a real difference in their lives.
Charmaine Nicholas, Board of Director