Founders and staff
Founders
Wendell Smith
Founder and Chief Executive
Wendell was the founder and developer in the USA of an east coast medical business, before coming to the UK to start working with the homeless in London. Wendell and his wife Lois co-founded Nehemiah as a response to the complex needs of homeless and marginalised people. Wendell is responsible for Nehemiah's continued development and growth into prisons.
Lois Smith
Founder and Managing Director
Lois founded and ran a property business in Connecticut, USA. She also bred and raise polled Hertford cattle as a hobby on their small farm. Lois, a trained counsellor, had vast addiction experience through her work on the streets of Earl's Court, and saw the need to start a residential home to address the many needs of broken people, that has grown to what it is today. Lois is responsible for overseeing the day to day running and financial management of the charity.
Staff
Richard McGill
London Area Prison Manager
Richard was an IT consultant before joining Nehemiah. He co-ordinates Nehemiah’s prison programme A New Direction, and also manages all of Nehemiah’s IT systems. He has been part of Nehemiah since it began in 1992.
Brian Myers
Course Manager: 'A New Direction' - Wandsworth Prison
Brian completed a Nehemiah programme before managing a London based loft conversion company. He joined Nehemiah in 2008 to manage 'A New Direction' in Wandsworth Prison.
James Newell
Fundraiser
James graduated in Sociology (BSc Hons) and worked in Skoda’s marketing department as a Marketing Communications Assistant before entering the charity sector in a role with Macmillan. He joined Nehemiah in 2007 and coordinates fundraising activities and events.
Andrew Kilbride
Referrals Manager
Andrew completed a Nehemiah programme before joining as a volunteer and then as a member of staff. He manages all referrals and liaisons with external agencies.
Julian Wright
Care Team Leader
Julian completed a Nehemiah programme before joining as a volunteer and then as a member of staff. Julian manages the care team, who work with the residents – teaching classes and doing all one-to-one sessions.