Our team

Aaliya is a programme manager at QCF. She has more than 15 years of experience in international development and designed and implemented strategic programming in East Africa. 

Aileen is a people operations manager. She has a background in HR across the tech industry, most recently at a VC startup. Aileen holds qualifications in history and data analytics and is committed to a data-driven approach to people management.

Alice Garton is a Programme Director at QCF. Her role sits at the intersection of law, governance and systems change, underpinned by a deep commitment to equity, community agency and partner-led approaches. A former climate litigator, she previously led global climate programmes at ClientEarth and the Foundation for International Law and the Environment (FILE). She completed her studies in Australia and the UK in Law, Politics and International Environmental Law with first-class distinctions.

Becca is a programme associate at QCF, where she supports with the operational management of the grants portfolio and the strategic deployment of capital. Becca joined QCF from the Climate Group, where she spent seven years overseeing its grants portfolio and compliance operations. Becca holds an LLB in Law and German.

Candice is QCF's Research Director, where she coordinates the foundation's research portfolio and oversees the development of the fellows programme.

Candice has 20 years’ experience in driving policy-focused research on climate action, adaptation and resilience efforts, most recently as the Head of Climate Adaptation and Resilience at the London School of Economics (LSE) Grantham Research Institute, where she led pioneering work on place-based climate action and heat resilience. She has held positions at the universities of Surrey, Anglia Ruskin, and Imperial College London, and has worked in the UK Government’s Cabinet Office and Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

Candice is an established leader in using rigorous research and impactful policy engagement to advance climate action and foster the next generation of climate leaders. She adopts mechanisms of co-production to deliver high-impact programmes of work that shape climate action and empower communities against the impacts of climate change.

Candice is a respected voice in the media, a key contributor to the UK’s Climate Change Risk Assessment, an expert reviewer to the IPCC Assessment Reports, and a trusted advisor to local, national, and international organisations. She holds a PhD in climate communication and behaviour change (Southampton University), an MSc in Climate Change (UEA) and a BSc in Meteorology (Reading). Over her career, Candice has published over fifty academic papers, three books and dozens of reports and chapters.

Catrin is the Chief Communications and Partnerships Officer at QCF. With more than 25 years of experience in strategic communications, advocacy and grantmaking, she has worked across the finance, media, technology, and non-profit sectors, leading campaigns to advance climate action, and influence public discourse and policy on climate and economic equity.

Dilly is QCF's Head of Portfolio Operations, where she leads the operational management of the foundation's portfolios and deployment of capital. She has experience in programme and operational support roles within international organisations and non-profits focusing on oceans and natural resources, global health, and youth. Dilly holds an MA in Human Rights and a BA in International Relations and Global Development.

Emma is the executive assistant to the programme directors at QCF. Emma joined QCF with nine years’ experience in executive assistance, and support roles in a variety of industries including luxury retail, PR, and tech.  

Frances is a programme manager at QCF. She holds over a decade of experience in research and philanthropy, focusing on climate policy and innovation. She previously worked as an Associate Director for Carbon Removal at ClimateWorks Foundation and held research positions at McGill University, Oxford University, and UNEP. Frances holds an MSc in Environmental Change from Oxford University and a BA in Economics from McGill University.

Gemma is a finance manager at QCF. Gemma is a Chartered Accountant (ACA) with over six years of experience in audit and financial management. At QCF, she supports the Head of Finance with day-to-day financial operations and contributes to budgeting, reporting, and grant disbursement. Before joining QCF, Gemma was an Assistant Manager at a professional services firm, leading audits with a focus on the not-for-profit sector.

Jacqui is the Executive Assistant to the CEO at QCF, bringing more than 20 years of experience supporting leaders across diverse industries. Before joining QCF, she worked at an asset management firm in the City and in various creative sectors. Jacqui holds a BSc in genetics and is passionate about contributing to QCF's mission.

Jess has worked at the intersection of climate change, poverty and inequality for two decades. She began her career as a researcher focused on climate vulnerability and development, advising governments, the UN, the World Bank, donors and think tanks on climate risk planning and finance in countries facing acute social and environmental risk. 

She later moved into energy and climate policy, spending seven years in senior roles across the UK Government, where she played a central role in advancing the UK’s clean energy transition. Her positions included Head of Carbon Markets at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Head of the Energy Branch at HM Treasury, and Senior Adviser to the Energy Minister at the Department of Energy and Climate Change. 

In 2019, Jess moved into philanthropy, taking up the role of Global Director in the Climate Programme at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation. She joined QCF in December 2022, where she leads efforts to build resilience for people and communities most affected by intersecting climate, social and economic crises. QCF focuses on immediate human security alongside longer term systems change, with an emphasis on locally led leadership, evidence informed strategy and learning led practice.  

Jess holds a PhD in international development focused on climate vulnerability, an MSc in Environment and Development, and an Executive Master of Public Policy from the London School of Economics. She has published widely on climate finance and adaptation, served as an expert reviewer for the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, and was a contributing author to the IPCC Special Report on Adaptation.

Jessie is QCF's People & Operations Associate. She brings over 15 years of experience supporting senior leadership and managing internal operations. Before joining QCF, she worked across financial services and luxury retail in both global corporations and start-ups.

Kate is a HR business partner at QCF, bringing over seven years of experience in partnering with leaders across retail, tech, and renewable energy. She has worked in both multinational corporations and start-ups, designing and implementing people strategies. Kate holds an MA in HR Management.

Katherine is a programme director at QCF, where she develops high-impact funding strategies to help vulnerable communities adapt to climate change. She works to unlock catalytic climate finance solutions and structure largescale blended funds for renewable infrastructure, energy access, forests and oceans.  A former M&A lawyer, she previously led sustainable finance initiatives as Head of Sustainable Finance at Systemiq.

She chairs the Blended Finance Taskforce and is a member of the Global Capacity Building Coalition. She was named Environmental Finance’s ‘Net Zero Champion of the Year’ for her work on the Global Fund for Coral Reefs and the Just Energy Transition Partnership in South Africa.

Laura is the Chief Legal Officer at QCF. A qualified lawyer since 2008, Laura’s background spans corporate law, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures, and more recently charity and not-for-profit roles, leading on all legal, regulatory and compliance matters in a range of sectors. Before joining QCF, Laura was the General Counsel and Company Secretary of the Carbon Trust, a leading global sustainability consultancy.

Lauren is a qualified Chartered Accountant with 10 years of experience in the philanthropic sector. At QCF, she leads the wider team to ensure grant funding supports QCF’s vision and mission. Before joining QCF in 2023, Lauren was an Associate Director at a professional services organisation, leading donor assurance, capacity building, and forensic investigations for grant-giving charitable foundations worldwide.

Lizzie is the Finance Director at QCF, where she leads the financial strategy, reporting and governance frameworks that underpin the organisation’s mission. As an experienced Finance Director, she brings deep commercial insight and a strong not-for-profit orientation to her role.

Prior to joining QCF, Lizzie held senior roles in the international development sector, where she supported donor-funded programmes and led financial teams across multi-country operations. A qualified accountant, she is adept at translating complex financial data into clear, strategic insights and empowering teams to deliver high-impact outcomes.

Ludivine is the Chief of Staff to the CEO at QCF, supporting the CEO, and programme and impact directors. She joined QCF from Chatham House’s Environment and Society Centre, where she managed projects on food systems, energy transitions, and climate diplomacy. Previously, Ludivine worked in events and fundraising at Chatham House and interned for Apple in California. 

Lucy Gillingham is a programme associate at QCF, where she supports the operational delivery and management of the organisation’s grant portfolio. She has over 6 years' experience in grant making, most recently managing the Westminster Foundation and Grosvenor businesses' charitable giving in London and overseas. She holds a MSc in Latin American Politics from University College London.

Madeleine is a programme manager at QCF, where she applies her interdisciplinary scientific expertise to drive positive environmental and societal outcomes. With a background spanning genetic engineering (PhD), materials science, and chemistry (MSci, MRes), and a Churchill Fellowship in sustainability, Madeleine brings a rigorous analytical mindset to solving hard climate problems. Prior to joining QCF, she worked as a technical business analyst for a company she subsequently helped sell to a listed plc. Madeleine also served as a Founder-in-Residence at a European venture studio, scoping impactful climate venture opportunities.

Maggie is the executive assistant to the Chief Impact and Insights Officer and Managing Directors at QCF. She brings over 10 years of experience working in marketing agency management. Before joining QCF, Maggie led the client service and operations teams at both established and start-up agencies, partnering with a variety of global lifestyle brands.

Marcelle is a finance executive at QCF, supporting the Finance Director and Manager with financial operations. Her background includes teaching English as a second language and digital education administration. Marcelle is fluent in Italian and Portuguese.

Naomi is a programme manager at QCF, developing and implementing strategies to address climate harms and scale solutions to protect people and the planet. A former corporate lawyer, Naomi has over a decade of global experience in climate and energy, spanning from civil society to corporate sustainability to philanthropy. She most recently worked as the director of programme strategy at a climate-focused nonprofit organisation.

Niloufar is a science lead at QCF, identifying opportunities for philanthropic investment in climate solutions. Before QCF, she was a founder-in-residence at a climate tech venture studio in Paris, developing a geochemical carbon removal company. Nilou holds a PhD in climate science from Northwestern University and a BSc in Chemistry from UC Santa Barbara.

Nina is a legal counsel at QCF. Before joining QCF, she worked as an in-house lawyer at leading global climate consultancy, Carbon Trust. Nina started her career as a finance lawyer at a prominent law firm in London.

Paola is the Head of Impact Reporting at QCF, where she translates data from QCF’s grantmaking and programs into key insights to drive effective, high-impact climate investments. With 15 years of experience leveraging data for strategic reporting and decision-making across the oil and gas sector, energy transition, and corporate climate performance, she brings analytical expertise to her role. Paola holds a degree in Physics and is currently completing a Master’s in Finance at the London School of Economics.

Peter Barnett is a programme manager at QCF, focusing on the role that law and finance play in accelerating climate action and resilience. He has 14 years of experience in leading law firms, and more recently in environmental advocacy, at legal non-profit, ClientEarth. Peter holds an LLM from Harvard Law School and an LLB (Hons) and BCom in finance from the University of Otago.  

Rebecca is the executive assistant to the programme directors at QCF. Rebecca has over 20 years experience across various industries, including finance, technology and media.

Ruwa is a programme manager at QCF, focusing on developing and implementing programme strategies to scale climate solutions for vulnerable populations. With 15 years of experience in sustainable development, climate strategy, research and philanthropy, Ruwa holds a PhD in Energy and Environmental Science and an MSc in Environmental Science from WITS University.

Simone is QCF's Director of Impact and Learning, focusing on the impact of QCF's grantmaking to deliver systemic change. She works at the intersection of evaluation, evidence-based decision-making, and strategy. With over 15 years of experience in impact measurement, she has worked globally across the private and development sectors, and in academia.

Sonny is QCF's Chief Impact and Insights Officer, serving as a key strategic partner to organisational and programme leadership. He stewards how impact, insight, and learning shape QCF’s strategic direction, capital allocation, and field engagement.

He brings over 25 years of international, multi-sector experience spanning philanthropy, strategy, impact, and investing. Most recently, he served as Chief Strategy Officer at Omidyar Network. Previously, he was a member of the Investments team at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation. Earlier in his career, he was an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company and began his professional journey at Capital One. 

Sonny holds a double first-class MA in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge, an MBA with distinction from the University of Oxford, and an MPA in International Development from Harvard University.

Stephanie is a programme manager at QCF, managing the UK and Europe grantmaking portfolio. With more than 10 years of experience in domestic and international climate policy, she worked in the UK Government leading the electric vehicle strategy and infrastructure team. Stephanie was also part of the COP26 organising team where she led international agreements related to clean technologies and was previously a British Diplomat in China. 

Thomas is a science lead at QCF, ensuring programme strategies are guided by the latest science and identifying new opportunities to deploy high-impact philanthropic capital. He previously worked at Zenon Research in Paris, analysing climate technology trends for investors and policymakers. Thomas holds an MSc in Energy Engineering from INSA Rouen.

Hannah is a finance business partner at QCF. A chartered accountant (ACA) with a background in finance business partnering and finance transformation and strategy across conservation, humanitarian and international development charities, she has a particular focus on building strong cross-organisational relationships. Hannah holds a Master's in Sustainable Development from the University of Edinburgh and is passionate about bringing her finance expertise to the challenge of climate change and poverty alleviation.

Hannah is the legal counsel at QCF. Hannah qualified in 2020 and her background is in corporate law, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and charity & social enterprise law. Before joining QCF, Hannah was a charities & social enterprise lawyer at Bates Wells LLP, a leading charity law firm. Hannah is also a chair of trustees of a children's mental wellbeing charity in Surrey.

Zoë Fillingham is the external communications manager at QCF, driving key initiatives to amplify QCF's impact and ensuring consistency across all communications. She has experience in strategic communications across climate and development sectors. Before joining QCF, Zoë worked at Browning Environmental Communications, leading international climate campaigns. She began her career at Hanover Communications, running political and policy campaigns, and has also worked in renewable energy trading and international development. She holds a first-class master’s degree in politics from the University of Edinburgh.