Amanda Tincknell CBE
Chief Executive
CEO Amanda Tincknell joined Cranfield Trust as a volunteer in the 1990s, after completing her MBA at Cranfield School of Management. With a background in market research and recruitment, she was an early project manager for the Trust and spent some time as a trustee before becoming Chief Executive in 2000. She holds overall responsibility for the direction and management of the Trust, reporting to the trustee board. Amanda has increased the Trust’s capacity and influence enormously over more than two decades and was awarded a CBE for her contribution to charity services in the Queen's New Year Honours list 2015. Amanda feels highly motivated and privileged to work with charities and charity leaders addressing key social issues. Follow @AmandaTincknell on Twitter.
James Lennard
Head of Finance, Administration & Control
Jim joined the team in March 2018, building on 15 years’ experience as a senior manager in local / regional voluntary sector organisations leading financial strategy, central support services, IT strategy, communications infrastructure and data security. A key element of Jim’s role is to build robust support services, infrastructure and effective policies and processes to underpin the Trust’s growth and development.
Marie Langan
Head of Operations
Marie is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales ("ICAEW") with over 30 years of accounting and auditing experience in a variety of management roles in Big Four and Top 20 firms in the UK and US, most recently in global outsourcing in the technology sector. Marie has also specialised in project management, business development, risk management and corporate governance. She has audited charities and has acted as Treasurer and Vice Chair on the Board of Trustees of a law centre. Marie joined the Trust in April 2018 as Project Manager overseeing our projects in the South West of England and then stepped in as Interim Head of Operations in January 2025. Follow @Marielan51 on Twitter.
Joanne Madders
Head of Development
Joanne has been Cranfield Trust’s Head of Development since September 2018. Joanne has overall responsibility for the Trust’s fundraising and income generation activities, and our partnerships with other organisations to deliver support to the voluntary sector. As a fundraising specialist, Joanne brings a range of experience gained from her previous roles in charitable and public sector organisations. At Cranfield Trust, she values being able to support the vital contribution of smaller charities to human welfare and capacity building for the voluntary sector.
Laura Cadd
Head of Communications and Insight
Laura has a background in third sector and public sector communications, marketing and PR. She has broad experience of creating and delivering strategies and initiatives to raise awareness and understanding, and to engage stakeholders and new audiences. Laura joined Cranfield Trust in June 2022 and is responsible for developing and delivering the strategy with her team to enhance and grow the Trust’s reputation and recognition in the third sector. Laura is also a trustee of a small national charity and when not working is kept busy by her two children and dachshund.
