Life is a
Learning
Curve
Life is a
Learning
Curve
Empowering Individuals. We believe that the individuals we support are invariably better placed to solve their own problems and help their specific communities than anybody else.
Equalising Opportunity. We believe that learning in its broadest sense empowers people of all ages to improve their lives.
Partnering Thoughtfully. We believe in the transformational power of partnerships to address grassroots needs, as well as effect bolder systemic changes.
Collaborating Empathetically. We believe that all sectors of society must work together to bring about meaningful change and become greater than the sum of their constituent parts.
What we do
The Lightbulb Trust empowers people to change their lives for the better. Through a combination of grant-making and impact investing, Lightbulb supports initiatives that enfranchise society’s less advantaged. We seek to bridge divides and make a difference: specifically, in the fields of literacy and learning, digital inclusion and social infrastructure.
Founded in West London, our drive is to improve the lives of others, both locally and farther afield. To achieve this, we offer funding and support to entrepreneurial organisations with strong social drive. These include grass roots community initiatives – local heroes helping their areas thrive – as well as more systemic, disruptive enterprises – game-changers who have had bold ‘lightbulb moments’, big ideas that challenge the way things traditionally get done.
Along the way, our network of partnerships offers a safety net that enhances the life-chances of thousands of people. From infancy to adulthood, literacy to first tenancy, getting online to navigating a job interview: Lightbulb is inspired by the power of learning in all its various guises.
Our Theory of Change
Our Team
Salome & Ben Holden · Founders
Salome and Ben are married and live in West London with their twin son and daughter. Salome grew up in Kensington, Ben between Islington and Hammersmith. They met while studying English Literature at Oxford University.
Salome went on to work in publishing at Penguin Books and has long been involved with her family’s charitable foundation, The A G Leventis Foundation, as well as being a full-time mum. She is currently also training as a counsellor.
Ben is a film producer – having worked as an executive in Los Angeles – who has also authored several bestselling books, all of which were published by Simon & Schuster with partner charities. His recent projects have included hosting the podcast Ex Libris, which championed libraries and independent bookshops with the help of some of today’s greatest writers. Ben currently serves on the board of trustees for Libraries Connected, the charity representing all the public library services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
They founded The Lightbulb Trust in 2019, intent on providing enhanced life chances to children growing up nearby who are less advantaged than their own.
Luisa Gockel · Director
Luisa is Brazilian and a former journalist with 20 years’ experience in the social innovation field. She spent the past decade working in the education sector in the UK where she was part of the founding team at Apps for Good, one of the country’s fastest growing EdTech charities.
Before becoming an independent consultant, Luisa led Pearson’s social innovation strategy and delivered accelerator programmes for over 40 start-ups working to improve literacy and education globally. Following her passion for education and innovation, Luisa joined the Lightbulb Trust in 2020 as Director. Luisa currently lives in Barcelona with her husband and three children.
Essia Zamzam · Youth Engagement Officer
Essia, a young leader of Tunisian-Palestinian heritage, is studying International Relations and Arabic at SOAS, University of London. Her passion for global affairs and supporting displaced communities stems from seeing the impact of war on her family, driving her commitment to addressing the challenges faced by those affected by conflict and hardship.
Growing up in West London, Essia witnessed the struggles young people face, shaping her dedication to youth development. She has worked in various roles, including as a Teacher Assistant in Lebanon and volunteering with Solidarity Sports in London. Through her involvement with Earls Court Youth Club and Young K + C, she has seen the importance of safe community spaces for youth.
Now contributing to Lightbulb Trust’s internal communications, Essia’s multicultural background and dedication to social impact fuel her passion for youth advocacy, ensuring marginalised communities have the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
Catia Silvestre · Admin Officer
Catia Silvestre is a Portuguese professional based in London with extensive experience in community engagement and the arts. With a decade in the charity sector, they have worked with organisations such as Citizens Advice, Mencap, and the NHS Social Prescribing Service, providing direct support, managing operations, and fostering community empowerment. Alongside their work in the sector, Catia is also an artist and researcher at the Royal College of Art.
Siena Colegrave · Trustee
Siena grew up in Hammersmith and now lives in West London with her husband and two daughters. Siena is committed to The Lightbulb Trust’s mission of social empowerment.
She is a lawyer with more than 15 years of experience in corporate law and is qualified in both the US and England. She has worked at leading global law firms and spent 8 years at a Fortune 100 organisation and serves on the boards of a number of their companies. She currently works at a FTSE 10 global consumer goods company advising on their venture investments and mergers and acquisitions in Europe and Africa. She loves mentoring young people and volunteers at mentoring organisations.
Shuen Chan · Trustee
Shuen worked closely with Salome and Ben to establish the Lightbulb Trust. She shares their belief that everyone deserves the right to an education and that foundations in literacy enable a fundamental shift in how one thinks, acts and behaves towards our fellow human beings.
Shuen brings over 25 years of experience in investment management. She is currently Head of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) at Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets based in London. She also serves on the Development Board of Ashden, a non-profit organisation that aims to bring sustainable energy to all.
Our Advisors
Jami Dixon · Advisor
Although originally from the North East, Jami currently lives in Leeds with her dog, Luna. She started her career working for a small NGO in Uganda and has since completed a PhD exploring the impacts of climate change on agriculture and worked on the evaluation of various UK-aid funded projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. After that, she spent 5 years at UnLtd – The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs, before becoming a freelance Impact & Evaluation Practitioner over 2 years ago.
Jami’s current work mainly focuses on supporting UK-based charities and social enterprises to use data and evidence as a force for good. Her ADHD and dyslexia bring a unique perspective to her work and she’s always looking for creative ways to evidence impact. She is also the co-chair of the Charity Evaluation Working Group (ChEW), one of the founding organisations of the Equitable Evaluation Collective.
Analysis Group · Advisor
Analysis Group is one of the largest international economics consulting firms, with more than 1,200 professionals across 14 offices in Europe, North America, and Asia. Analysis Group provides economic and financial analysis, litigation support, and consulting services to leading law firms, Fortune Global 500 companies, governments and regulatory agencies worldwide.
Its pro bono practice focuses on leveraging economic, financial, and data analysis skillset and experience to assist the Lightbulb Trust’s partner organizations in solving complex analytical problems and helping expand positive impacts on their clients, constituencies, and communities.
Ruth Sorby · Advisor
Ruth is an experienced development professional working in the not for profit sector over the past two decades. Prior to Consultancy, Ruth led UK development at Worldreader, the digital reading charity having progressed through a series of community fundraising roles at Action for Children, culminating in leading the Legacy and Development team. At the University of Surrey, Ruth joined the newly created Alumni and Development function and prior to joining the third sector, Ruth’s eclectic mix of experience includes marketing roles at Lucas Industries and the McLaren F1 team. Ruth is regarded as an expert in relationship management amongst her peers and is a Trustee at The Wilbur and Niso Smith Foundation, continuing her literary links.
