About us

Having worked on an assignment for VSO in South Africa after leaving school Anthony embarked on a 30 year career in insurance broking working for the Sedgwick Group in various european countries (20 years) returning to the UK from Denmark at the end of 1990. Roles were largely marketing related & included operational responsibility latterly for the Nordic countries.

“One thing that has always been of interest and remains so was the desire to understand people from wherever they originated in the world and how by working together this could make a real difference for many. I guess in simple terms this is what Microhive is trying to achieve! Well the opportunity in 1999 to work together with my co-founder and long standing friend, Angus, arose & we soon realised that whilst this would be a challenge it was indeed possible to set up the scheme”

Anthony lives and works in North Norfolk with his wife Virginia with his two children having escaped the nest live and work in London and Paris.

Kate joined Microhive (previously known as Pennies from Heaven) in 2005 and became CEO in January 2017

Kate has led Microhive through an ambitious growth period, increasing the number of people and organisations participating in the scheme by 50% in three years. Having spent ten years as a marketing professional and strategy director at Barclays Bank, Kate joined Microhive to fulfil her passion to make a difference to the charity sector. Kate led the development of Microhive across the NHS and to date NHS staff have donated over a £1m via the scheme. Much of these donations have benefited the work of NHS charities themselves.

Kate is a passionate believer that people want to give more to charity and if we can make it accessible and easy to do so then people will want to join in and will feel good about doing so.

“It is a privilege to be part of this wonderful giving scheme and work with such an enthusiastic team. We are a restless fundraising company, on a mission to empower change, one penny at a time. We want to strive for more by harnessing the collective power of giving little but often. We want transform the way businesses and individuals think about fundraising and show people how magically easy it is to make a difference. Small Change makes Big change – simple.”

When not working Kate likes nothing more that taking part in charity challenges and volunteering. From hiking the Grand Canyon, running the London Marathon, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, and cycling across Italy you never know what she is planning next.

You can contact Kate at kate@microhive.org.uk

Kate is an experienced business communications strategist, Kate has over 15 years’ experience of working with companies to successfully implement and execute stakeholder engagement campaigns to promote, protect and enhance reputation. Kate has an excellent track record in advising the Boards and management teams of many UK and international public and private companies on their capital markets communications activity, including corporate transactions, financial calendar reporting and IPOs.

Kate has worked alongside leading brands to create and implement integrated business-to-business, corporate and consumer campaigns, targeted on achieving commercial success. Her experience has spanned all sectors and ranges from FTSE 100 to AIM listed companies, as well as private businesses.

Shelley joined Microhive in 2020 as Digital Brand and Fundraising Exec, before taking on the role of Head of Comms & Brand in 2022.

Microhive has been through a significant period of growth and change in the last 4 years, and Shelley has played a large role in shaping the company’s communications and brand during this time. Prior to working at Microhive, Shelley ran her own social media business, where she managed social media channels for other businesses, alongside conducting training workshops and consulting.

Joining Microhive gave Shelley the opportunity to become part of an organisation (having missed having colleagues) and fulfilled her desire to utilise her marketing, creative and communication skills to ‘give back’ to society.

‘Working with a company that is a true force for good has been so rewarding. At Microhive, we work with so many organisations across the UK that are equally as passionate about giving back to society, that you cannot help but feel a real sense of achievement and contentment at the end of the day.’

Outside of work, Shelley and her husband and two children, enjoy holidaying in Cyrpus and Cornwall, and talking their dog Poppy for walks in the countryside.

You can contact Shelley at shelley@microhive.org.uk

Gemma joined Microhive in September 2023 as the Team Administrator. After taking a career break and being fortunate to be able to spend quality time with her two sons, Finlay and Edmund; Gemma had time to evaluate the important things in life after being dealt such a tragic blow following the loss of a very close member of her family. Gemma’s passion to help and care for others is paramount and she felt that she wanted to offer her help and support to others by working for the team.

In 2000 she travelled the world for a year visiting America, Hawaii, Rarotonga, New Zealand, Australia, Bali, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

Gemma has over 16 years’ experience working in the NHS and the private sector as a Theatre Assistant at The Great Western Hospital and Ridgeway Hospital in Swindon. Gemma loved working in theatre, finding it interesting, she learnt so much and loved the nature of the job. As well as caring and preparing patients for surgery her role involved a huge administrative responsibility.

After returning from maternity, while on a career break, she became a Child-Minding Assistant for a year then moved on to be an Ofsted Registered Nanny and continues this role alongside her current position with Pennies from Heaven. Gemma is also kept busy with her two young boys and in her voluntary role as Assistant Treasurer (PA) at the local primary school.

Hobbies include dog walking, supporting and caring for others, cooking, entertaining, spending time with family and friends and can often be seen on the sideline, cheering her eldest Son, Finlay on at football.

David has been a longstanding trustee and volunteer in the charitable sector. He is Trustee/Treasurer of Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice, Chair of Governors at Blackheath High School GDST and Treasurer of one of the City Churches. As a Chartered Accountant his early career was spent with Reed Elsevier and then for many years David was Group Finance Director at Grayling, an international public relations and public affairs group. Now a consultant, he helps charities and businesses with strategy, organisation of financial operations and financial and stakeholder reporting.

Catherine qualified as a chartered accountant with Coopers & Lybrand working in tax before a brief period as a financial journalist. Having taken time off to have a family, she is now a senior teaching fellow in accounting at Lancaster University. In her spare time, she  has gained a PgDip in Charity Accounting at the CASS Centre for Charity Effectiveness, and is learning to row.

Rebecca has over 20 years experience in the Banking industry working for some of the UK’s largest retail banks. Her career has focused on the delivery and governance of change ensuring policies and compliance are adhered too and change is delivered efficiently. In her early career Rebecca worked as a Management Consultant for PwC and Cap Gemini followed by lengthy employments at Barclays Bank and Lloyds Banking Group.  Now working for the AA Rebecca continues to lead change delivery. Alongside her roles at the AA, Microhive and being a Mum to 2 young boys,  Rebecca is also on the executive team for her local Scouting Group supporting the Scouting leaders and ensuring continued successful running of the local team.

Tony Smith has been a Motor Underwriter all his career initially in the Lloyd’s market and latterly in the company market. Tony has now retired to Norfolk where he is currently a member of the Norfolk Bench. Tony was previously chairman of Peaceful Place, based in Essex a charity for people with early onset dementia.

Isabel has had a wide ranging career, having started in banking she then spent over 15 years in central Government working across the Home Office, Cabinet Office, Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General’s Office. She is currently working at Surrey County Council delivering their Data Strategy. Isabel is committed to a wide range of local charities and values the opportunity to support Microhive deliver its mission of getting pennies to charities.