Team Archive - Timebanking UK

Sarah Bird

Sarah has 20 years of experience working in timebanking. After setting up and running a time bank, she became passionate about the model and the way it values people for who they are and what they can do, regardless of their age, ability or background. Sarah went on to be a timebanking consultant and project manager for Timebanking UK and is now the organisations dedicated and inspiring chief executive.

Sarah continues to develop partnerships and networks across the UK and envisages a country where people in every town and city can access a mechanism of coproduction. Sarah is constantly seeking collaboration and support to grow the timebanking movement to take the pressure off statutory health and social care services. She delivers talks, presentations and training days and is always happy to show how the timebanking model can benefit individuals, communities and organisations.

Sarah loves her pet dogs and has recently branched out, acquiring some chickens. She loves travelling, gentle runs (she recently completed the Bath Half Marathon – remotely) and growing sunflowers.

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John Biesse

John’s role is to develop new time banks, with local communities and in partnership with other organisations who can see the potential and benefits that a time bank will offer to local people.

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Rebecca Cobb

Rebecca has over 20 years of experience working in not-for-profit communications and engagement. The last five years have seen her focussing on reaching and supporting university students experiencing isolation.

Having joined TBUK in November 2022 she is taking a lead on all things communications, and aims to raise the profile of Timebanking UK at every level. Rebecca wants Timebanking UK to be an instantly recognisable brand on everyone’s lips.

She can provide 1:1 communications and engagement support for member time banks by appointment.

Rebecca lives with her family in West Yorkshire. She loves creating and can often be found drawing, painting or sewing. She’s a great cook (if she does say so herself) but wishes she was a better gardener!

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James Ryan

James Ryan — IT and Insight Lead

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Martin Simon

Martin Simon’s work has extended from that of a poet and a philosopher to a leading social activist, from a left wing radical to a humanist and a social innovator. Throughout his working life he has been driven by a passion for participation, mutuality and social justice.

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Raj Burman

Raj, a Fellow of the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneies and a dedicated JEDI (justice, equality, diversity and inclusion) leader, serves as Strategic Advisor to Timebanking UK. In this role, he leverages three-decades of senior experience across business, tech innovation and social impact to transform community insights into actionable frameworks in accelerating collaborations that strengthen resilience for crisis preparedness and disaster response.

Previously, Raj championed the UN Sustainable Development Goals as Ambassador to the UN Global Poverty and held CEO positions at Climate Clock and Techfugees Foundation. Currently he chairs the Board of Trustees at The Launchpad Collective, dedicated to uplifting untapped talent and inclusion of forcibly displaced persons to accelerate their livelihood growth. As an impact venture philanthropist, Raj also guides leaders in climate action, digital inclusion and social entrepreneurship to mobilise collective action as a force for good; demonstrating his unwavering commitment to empowering marginalised and vulnerable communities worldwide.

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