Co-founder and sense-checker

Chazia has led organizational change and expansion, spearheading innovative sales strategies that enable organizations to reach new and diverse markets. She excels in implementing AI-driven, customer-centric policies, enhancing risk management practices, and driving overall business innovation.

Chazia says “I support STEMpura due to its ability to empower the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers. By promoting education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, STEMpura plays a crucial role in preparing participants for the challenges of the future. STEMpura fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, essential skills in our rapidly evolving world. Moreover, STEMpura ensures diverse and inclusive opportunities, enabling contribution to scientific and technological advancements from every social spectrum. Supporting STEMpura is an investment in a brighter, more innovative future for all.”

Co-founder and STEM guru

With over two decades in the STEM education and enrichment sector Gareth has worked on projects for young people and the public including The Institute for Coding on behalf of Aston University and leading the education work of the National Space Centre, Institution of Engineering and Technology and Micro:bit Educational Foundation. At the IET he took on FIRST LEGO League UK & Ireland. Recently he helped develop several projects for WRO Association, working with the global WRO family.

Gareth says “I have seen the impact of STEM interventions on the lives and career choices of young people and also how they have helped engage young people with potential employers. I love WRO because it tries to make itself as accessible to as many young people as possible and gives them the chance to work with peers from across the globe. When Claus (WRO General Secretary) asked us to take on the running of WRO for the UK I was delighted. I want to use this to support as many British young people as I can into career success through science and technology.

If you’d like a chat about supporting our work then email garethjames@stempura.org or schedule a call https://calendly.com/garethjames-stempura/30min

Fundraiser extraordinaire

Russell supports STEMpura’s fundraising and partnership development, helping to unlock the resources needed to scale our programmes to many more young people across the UK. He has spent much of his 30 year fundraising career in STEM education and professional bodies, including senior fundraising roles at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and other science and engineering charities. There, he secured significant support for programmes that widen participation and tackle skills gaps in STEM.

Russell was drawn to STEMpura by the potential to scale our unique, low-cost, high-value approach to robotics education and the World Robot Olympiad, particularly for individuals, schools and communities often excluded from such opportunities. “I am  excited to connect philanthropists, companies and trusts with hands-on opportunities to inspire the next generation of engineers, tech gurus and problem-solvers.”

Partnerships

David is a STEM education leader with nearly 20 years’ experience in building partnerships, securing funding, and delivering large-scale programmes. Starting his career as an engineer at Caterpillar, he transitioned into STEM education, working with organisations including the Royal Academy of Engineering, STEMNET, and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). He has led major national and international initiatives such as F1 in Schools (now STEM Racing), FIRST LEGO League, and the STEM Ambassador programme, developing strong partnerships across industry, education, and government. At the IET, he also led education policy engagement and launched the Engineering Kids’ Futures campaign with the Department for Education. In 2020, David co-founded the Digital Poverty Alliance, bringing together cross-sector partners to tackle digital exclusion across the UK. He now leads David Lakin Consultancy, supporting organisations to secure funding, build strategic partnerships, and deliver impactful STEM programmes.

David says, “I am thrilled to be working with STEMpura and am very excited by the opportunity to help establish and grow STEMpura’s programmes, in particular WRO here in the UK, providing continued learning for young people to help them reach their full potential.”

Chair

Kit is a Senior Business Advisor for the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC)

Constantina is currently a Senior Business Advisor for Coventry University Enterprises Ltd and an Innovation and Growth Specialist for Innovate UK

Tim is a Security Solutions Engineers in Cyber Security for Netskope