Andrew M. Fox

Chairman of Trustees

Andrew Fox is one of the four Life Trustees appointed when the charity was founded by Don Hanson in June 2007 and now serves as Chairman of the Trustees. Andrew also serves as Director of Internet Mobile Communications Ltd, a successful fast-growing profitable Chelmsford-based communications company seed-funded by Mr Hanson, a substantial shareholding of which company forms part of his Estate.

Andrew started his business life as a Eurobond trader in London. He moved to the Commonwealth Bank in Australia and in 1992 he founded Pacific Gemini to develop financial services in the Russian Far East. Andrew was a founder of the Vladivostok Stock Exchange and Tiger Securities, an investment company established there. He is a member of the Institute of Fundraising.

Andrew is a graduate in Economics and Land Economy, Pembroke College, Cambridge. He holds British and Australian citizenships, and he is fluent in Russian. He served as British Honorary Consul to the Russian Far East for 25 years, having been so appointed by Her Majesty’s Government in 1998.

Andrew and Don met after a ‘Face Value’ article in the Economist in October 1996 about Andrew’s work in Russia where Don had investments. After that Don became a shareholder and director of Andrew’s business as well as investing together for nearly twenty years in Russia, Thailand, Australia, America and Vietnam involving much travel, many company visits with global partners over the years and some golf.

 Andrew M. Fox

Chairman of Trustees

Andrew Fox is one of the four Life Trustees appointed when the charity was founded by Don Hanson in June 2007 and now serves as Chairman of the Trustees. Andrew also serves as Director of Internet Mobile Communications Ltd, a successful fast-growing profitable Chelmsford-based communications company seed-funded by Mr Hanson, a substantial shareholding of which company forms part of his Estate.

Andrew started his business life as a Eurobond trader in London. He moved to the Commonwealth Bank in Australia and in 1992 he founded Pacific Gemini to develop financial services in the Russian Far East. Andrew was a founder of the Vladivostok Stock Exchange and remains Chairman of Tiger Securities, an established investment company there. He is a member of the Institute of Fundraising.

Andrew is a graduate in Economics, Pembroke College, Cambridge. He holds British and Australian citizenships, and he is fluent in Russian. He served as British Honorary Consul to the Russian Far East for 25 years, having been so appointed by Her Majesty’s Government in 1998.

Andrew and Don met after a ‘Face Value’ article in the Economist in October 1996 about Andrew’s work in Russia where Don had investments. After that Don became a shareholder and director of Andrew’s business as well as investing together for nearly twenty years in Russia, Thailand, Australia, America and Vietnam involving much travel, many company visits with global partners over the years and some golf.

Simon M. J. Leary

Trustee

Simon’s career has spanned thirty years, many as a partner at a global Big Four consulting firm.

His current professional portfolio includes roles as a senior adviser to a global consulting firm, with a focus on the Middle East, as well as an adviser and/or NED to governments, NGOs and corporates in a wide range of sectors especially in the U.K and emerging markets.

Clients have included major U.K. government departments as well as ministries and state owned enterprises including long term residential stints in the Asia-Pacific region (6 years) and latterly the Middle East (4 years and currently). He has also advised multilateral development agencies, especially the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, on public sector reform in emerging and post crisis/conflict zones.

He has advised various government departments and prime ministers since 1989 including three years on secondment to Whitehall during the Blair public service reforms of the early to mid 2000s.

Simon has a wide range of sector experience including health, pharma, transport, telecoms, education, cyber, corporate intel/security, technology, energy and heritage, and takes an active interest in thought leadership. He led several global health sector initiatives, had his own newspaper column and has been interviewed in the media on public policy issues.

Simon is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, a former Associate Fellow of the ICAEW, a member of the IoD and international affairs and security focused think tanks including Chatham House and RUSI.

Simon first met Don in 1998 and was regularly in contact with him until his passing. He was educated at Cambridge University, London Business School and Insead.

Simon M. J. Leary

Trustee

Simon’s career has spanned thirty years, many as a partner at a global Big Four consulting firm.

His current professional portfolio includes roles as a senior adviser to a global consulting firm, with a focus on the Middle East, as well as an adviser and/or NED to governments, NGOs and corporates in a wide range of sectors especially in the U.K and emerging markets.

Clients have included major U.K. government departments as well as ministries and state owned enterprises including long term residential stints in the Asia-Pacific region (6 years) and latterly the Middle East (4 years and currently). He has also advised multilateral development agencies, especially the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, on public sector reform in emerging and post crisis/conflict zones.

He has advised various government departments and prime ministers since 1989 including three years on secondment to Whitehall during the Blair public service reforms of the early to mid 2000s.

Simon has a wide range of sector experience including health, pharma, transport, telecoms, education, cyber, corporate intel/security, technology, energy and heritage, and takes an active interest in thought leadership. He led several global health sector initiatives, had his own newspaper column and has been interviewed in the media on public policy issues.

Simon is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, a former Associate Fellow of the ICAEW, a member of the IoD and international affairs and security focused think tanks including Chatham House and RUSI.

Simon first met Don in 1998 and was regularly in contact with him until his passing. He was educated at Cambridge University, London Business School and Insead.

Paul Mercer

Trustee

Paul Mercer was appointed a trustee in September 2024.

Paul is the founder and director of Welund – a risk consultancy with clients in the UK, North America and Australia.

Paul has an engineering degree from Nottingham University but has worked for most of his time as a researcher, journalist and author of several books including two editions of Longman’s Directory of Political Organisations. He has also worked for the BBC News political research unit.

Paul spent 12 years as an elected borough councillor and seven of those is a cabinet member responsible for housing, homelessness and refugees in Charnwood. During that time he gained considerable experience in dealing with housing issues and how best to address the many problems that residents faced.

Paul has also been involved in fundraising for charitable activities in Africa, including Uganda and Zambia. Outside of work, Paul is an experienced scuba diver, a keen skier and accomplished horse rider. He has travelled extensively through Europe, South America, Asia and Africa.

Paul Mercer

Trustee

Paul Mercer was appointed a trustee in September 2024.

Paul is the founder and director of Welund – a risk consultancy with clients in the UK, North America and Australia.

Paul has an engineering degree from Nottingham University but has worked for most of his time as a researcher, journalist and author of several books including two editions of Longman’s Directory of Political Organisations. He has also worked for the BBC News political research unit.

Paul spent 12 years as an elected borough councillor and seven of those is a cabinet member responsible for housing, homelessness and refugees in Charnwood. During that time he gained considerable experience in dealing with housing issues and how best to address the many problems that residents faced.

Paul has also been involved in fundraising for charitable activities in Africa, including Uganda and Zambia. Outside of work, Paul is an experienced scuba diver, a keen skier and accomplished horse rider. He has travelled extensively through Europe, South America, Asia and Africa.

Jonathan Palmer

Trustee

Jonathan Palmer was a senior financial analyst at Sainsburys and headed strategic planning at WHSmith plc and 30 years ago became an independent consultant Founding The Bridge Management Group with several similar-minded associates. He has worked across all sectors specialising in retailing and financial services.

His clients have included 4 major supermarkets, 3 of the major banks, a hospital trust and a UK Government Department where he was financial advisor to a quinquennial review. Jonathan worked with a management buy-in team that made several fully-funded bids for ailing retailers. He also acted as startup commercial director for 2 successful businesses.

Within the voluntary and not-for-profit sectors Jonathan has worked closely with Cranfield Trust and advised over 15 charities on governance, change management and operational efficiency and strategy. He has been finance governor to a school taking it Grant-Maintained and chaired a successful chamber choir that represented the UK.

Jonathan has an MA from Cambridge University an MSc from Brunel University is a former Chartered Marketer and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and has led continuing professional development at Transformation-Leaders. He was aware of Don Hanson’s career, greatly admires his initiative in setting up the Trust and hopes to play an active part in its development.

Jonathan Palmer

Trustee

Jonathan Palmer was a senior financial analyst at Sainsburys and headed strategic planning at WHSmith plc and 30 years ago became an independent consultant Founding The Bridge Management Group with several similar-minded associates. He has worked across all sectors specialising in retailing and financial services.

His clients have included 4 major supermarkets, 3 of the major banks, a hospital trust and a UK Government Department where he was financial advisor to a quinquennial review. Jonathan worked with a management buy-in team that made several fully-funded bids for ailing retailers. He also acted as startup commercial director for 2 successful businesses.

Within the voluntary and not-for-profit sectors Jonathan has worked closely with Cranfield Trust and advised over 15 charities on governance, change management and operational efficiency and strategy. He has been finance governor to a school taking it Grant-Maintained and chaired a successful chamber choir that represented the UK.

Jonathan has an MA from Cambridge University an MSc from Brunel University is a former Chartered Marketer and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and has led continuing professional development at Transformation-Leaders. He was aware of Don Hanson’s career, greatly admires his initiative in setting up the Trust and hopes to play an active part in its development.

Stewart McPherson

Manager, Schools Program, Hanson Box Coordinator and founder of DARWIN200

Stewart McPherson joined the Don Hanson Charitable Foundation team in 2018.
Stewart manages and coordinates the Hanson Box project and the Foundation’s School Program, including designing and overseeing the creation of educational resources under the direction of the Trustees, and coordinating the packing and delivery of completed Hanson Boxes to schools across the UK and its Overseas Territories, Australia and the USA.

Stewart co-founded DARWIN200 and leads that project, running the team that selects the Darwin Leaders, organising the weekly World’s Most Exciting Classroom events, and planning the research activities and community events.

His background includes writing 40 natural history books, 3 wildlife TV documentary series, and organising hundreds of expeditions to over 40 countries. Stewart was educated at Durham University in the UK, and Yale University in the USA.

Stewart McPherson

Manager, Schools Program, Hanson Box Coordinator and founder of DARWIN200

Stewart McPherson joined the Don Hanson Charitable Foundation team in 2018.

Stewart manages and coordinates the Hanson Box project and the Foundation’s School Program, including designing and overseeing the creation of educational resources under the direction of the Trustees, and coordinating the packing and delivery of completed Hanson Boxes to schools across the UK and its Overseas Territories, Australia and the USA.

Stewart co-founded DARWIN200 and leads that project, running the team that selects the Darwin Leaders, organising the weekly World’s Most Exciting Classroom events, and planning the research activities and community events.

His background includes writing 40 natural history books, 3 wildlife TV documentary series, and organising hundreds of expeditions to over 40 countries. Stewart was educated at Durham University in the UK, and Yale University in the USA.

Caroline Cary

Events Coordinator

With over 30 years of experience, Caroline Cary is highly accomplished event organiser renowned for her exceptional skills in managing and executing high-profile affairs. She led significant elements of the Duke of Wellington’s Regimental Memorial Project, including a monument unveiled in Halifax by His Grace The Duke of Wellington which the Foundation attended as a sponsor in 2017.

Caroline has also orchestrated notable events such as the Early, Early Christmas Fair and the ‘Flight of the Vultures’, a global conservation initiative for Conservation Without Borders. She has also organised the Foundation’s 2023 fundraising event for Protecting Children Worldwide. Caroline’s seamless attention to detail, impressive strategic planning and notable dedication ensure that every event she manages is a resounding success. Her ability to create impactful and meticulously planned events has resulted in the raising of over £4.5 million for various charitable causes, showcasing her exceptional talent and commitment to making a difference.

Caroline Cary

Events Coordinator

With over 30 years of experience, Caroline Cary is highly accomplished event organiser renowned for her exceptional skills in managing and executing high-profile affairs. She led significant elements of the Duke of Wellington’s Regimental Memorial Project, including a monument unveiled in Halifax by His Grace The Duke of Wellington which the Foundation attended as a sponsor in 2017.

Caroline has also orchestrated notable events such as the Early, Early Christmas Fair and the ‘Flight of the Vultures’, a global conservation initiative for Conservation Without Borders. She has also organised the Foundation’s 2023 fundraising event for Protecting Children Worldwide. Caroline’s seamless attention to detail, impressive strategic planning and notable dedication ensure that every event she manages is a resounding success. Her ability to create impactful and meticulously planned events has resulted in the raising of over £4.5 million for various charitable causes, showcasing her exceptional talent and commitment to making a difference.

Joanna Ploszynska

Administrator

Awarded AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting and currently studying towards AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting.

Joanna joined as a support to the Trust in 2017. She is responsible for office administration and support to the Trustees. 

Joanna Ploszynska

Administrator

Awarded AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting and currently studying towards AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting.

Joanna joined as a support to the Trust in 2017. She is responsible for office administration and support to the Trustees. 

The Don Hanson Charitable Foundation
Charity number 1122463

Correspondence: Room 3, Rose House, 70 Barnes High Street, Barnes, London SW13 9LD, United Kingdom

Registered office: Linden House, Linden Close, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8HH, United Kingdom