As a group of trustees we come from a wide range of backgrounds – both professionally and in terms of the churches we attend. The common ground is a desire to enable the GenR8 team to continue to reach as many children as possible with a Christian message.
Over the past year we have seen several plans for the expansion of GenR8’s work develop from simply being an idea to becoming a reality, and that has been exciting to be part of. There are plenty of challenges in being a young charity, but also a very real sense of contributing to God’s bigger picture.
GenR8 Trustee Profiles
Liz Jenkin
Liz has been involved with GenR8 since its inception while she was a class teacher, and during two subsequent headships was delighted to welcome the teams into her schools where the children always greeted them enthusiastically. Since retiring to take up ‘Gran’ duties she has enjoyed watching the assemblies in her role as a school governor, often with a toddler in tow. Until recently she worked part time at the University of Cambridge’s ’s Faculty of Education as a tutor to trainee teachers, and is an Elder at Great Shelford Free Church. Her husband Chris is heavily involved in Christian work on a voluntary basis and she enjoys spending time with him and their three grown up daughters and families.
Penny Kite
Penny retired from primary school after many years of teaching every age group from reception to Year 6, and has also retired from teaching and research work at the Faculty of Education in Cambridge. She is now focused on working with the toddler group, kids’ club and youth group at Shelford Free Church. She also teaches reading on-line for a charity called Bookmark, and sees her children and grandchildren (10 so far!) whenever she can.
Jane Magowan
Jane lives in Histon and attends Histon Baptist Church. She is married to Pete and they have 3 children. Currently she is involved in various aspects of church life as an elder, as well as in pastoral care, Sunday School, and leading a toddler group. She trained and worked as a solicitor prior to having children and enjoys reusing some of those skills as a trustee of GenR8. She enjoys gardening and trying to keep fit with her friends – if you are running too fast to chat, you are running too fast!
Nick Rogers (Treasurer)
Nick is Managing Director of Cambridge Software Engineering and has more than seventeen years commercial experience in the development of enterprise software solutions. Nick is a member of Histon Baptist Church and actively involved with the local Cambridge Ten Sing. A father of three girls, his spare time is limited and spent mostly in the garden or on a bike and occasionally in the local pub!
Andy Thomas
Andy has worked in pharmaceutical drug discovery for over 35 years. He is married to Bev and they have two grown-up children. After living in the north-west for 27 years, they moved to the Cambridge area nine years ago. Andy is a trustee at Emmanuel Church Northstowe and has helped lead church youth groups for more than 20 years. In his spare time, he enjoys reading non-fiction, cycling and gardening. Bev works with GenR8 as a volunteer assembly team member and booking coordinator.