meet the team

Victoria Jacovides: Strategic Director

Leading the team and steering Maxability's fundraising, partnerships and strategic vision is our CEO, Victoria (Tori) Jacovides.

She has committed her skills and passion to the charity sector for 19 years, combining her love for writing, advocacy, community work and the arts. She studied at Manchester University and attended Webber Douglas Drama School and is a keen visual artist and craftswoman, specialising in textiles.

She has used her love for the arts and creative industries to secure investment and lead on high-scale commissioned programmes; across the North East of England, for the City of London, with the Olympic Legacy Park and other regional and national festivals and initiatives. She combines her creative flare and love for people to develop and secure causes close to her heart.

Tori has secured almost £16.7 million for charities to date and is proud of the approach she takes to listen and learn from the great work being achieved in our different communities.

Using her own lived-experience of disability and as a person who has overcome her own social challenges, Tori remains rooted to championing the abilities, visions, talents and potential of others - especially those who may be overlooked or under-represented.

She retains a strong focus on how we collectively and collaboratively can bring greater social value and with that, create change. Here at Maxability, she brings that focus so that the team, its students and those who work with charity can each be part of making a real difference. She believes, together we are stronger.

Tori likes building on her knowledge and enjoys a strong cup of tea, Drum & Bass music and the odd inspirational quote!

" It is not what we get. But who we become, what we contribute that gives meaning to our lives." 

(Tony Robbins)

Simon Groves: Treasurer

Our Treasurer is Simon Groves. Following economics and accounting degree from Manchester University and obtaining a Chartered Accountancy qualification, Simon has had a career as auditor with big 6 accountancy firms and, latterly, finance director and internal auditor roles in the insurance sector and with charities.

He chaired the charity associated with Watford Grammar School for Boys for 10 years. He was a Trustee and Finance Director of Maxability for five years, overseeing its merger with Barnet Disabled for Independence with Support in the Community. He has returned to the position of Treasurer with Maxability following the retirement of its founder and previous treasurer Emile Woolf.

Simon reviews the bookkeeping and accounts of Maxability and wants the charity to expand and develop over the long term to provide more of the community with artistic opportunities which will lead to rich and fulfilling lives. Although not talented in ceramics, he plays violin and viola in amateur ensembles and enjoys attending Maxability’s concerts.

Suzanne Smedley: Operations Manager

Heading up the team is our Project Manager, Suzanne Smedley. She originates from South Africa, where she studied Psychology and English Literature at Rhodes University. She has loved art and all things creative since she was a child. While highly creative, Suzanne also enjoys a well constructed spreadsheet and has extensive project management experience.

Suzanne is also passionate about serving others, especially those who are marginalised. She firmly believes that we each have a part to play in transforming society, as we can all influence our communities. This is demonstrated in her role at Maxability.

Megan Dalton: Project Coordinator

Megan supports the planning, delivery and monitoring of projects and courses at Maxability. A highlight of their role is facilitating the student steering group, centring students’ voices in the work of Maxability. Alongside their role, Megan is training as an art psychotherapist at Goldsmiths University. 

Megan has worked in the charity sector in London since 2015, with a focus on arts and mental health. Prior to this they studied English at Cambridge University. Since joining Maxability, Megan has caught the pottery bug, and enjoys making ceramics in their free time. Megan loves to cook, make art, and dance.

Joanne Bain: Ceramics Tutor

Jo played with clay throughout her childhood inspired by her grandmother, a sculptor.  She was diverted from clay by her love of literature, studying at Sheffield and Leeds Universities. A career in advertising followed in London and then New York.  Throughout this time, she continued her ceramics training part time with evening classes, and rented studio space, before committing to a full-time two-year Ceramics Diploma at City Lit, London (2013 -15).  Putting advertising behind her Jo moved into making her own work, and teaching ceramics to children and adults.

Teaching allows Jo to express her desire to inspire others to fulfil their creative potential.  Her classes at Maxability teach each student the technical skills to allow them to develop their own unique creative direction, in a warm, supportive and collaborative environment.

Anna Bingham: Studio Lead/ Ceramics Tutor

Anna studied a Fine Art BA at Newcastle University and in Munich where she specialised in sculpture, before completing a two year Ceramics Diploma at the City Lit in London. An artist fascinated by the natural world; Anna makes sculpture and paintings in her studio in South West London. 

Anna divides her time between teaching ceramics classes and working in her studio, her passion for making and process is something she loves to share with students, who she says inspire her in turn.

“Maxability is a truly special place, it’s an open and nurturing environment. Discovering what makes the students tick and being able to support their creativity and growing confidence reminds me why I love working with clay.”

Anna Arbon: Ceramics Tutor

Originally from Liverpool; Anna moved to London in 2015 to study Sculpture at Central Saint Martin’s college.

Being involved in ceramics projects in schools and hospitals during her placement year developed her interest in working with clay and teaching. 

Prior to Maxability, Anna set up the Ceramics Department at Brentwood School and helped introduce this into their curriculum.

Away from the charity, you can find Anna throwing pots at her studio in North London, or walking her cocker spaniel, Kobe!

Agata Starczak: Studio Technician / Teaching Assistant / Graphic designer

For a pottery studio to run smoothly, it needs a highly capable studio assistant. Taking up this crucial role, Maxability is very fortunate to have Agata Starczak who doubles as our graphic designer. She is originally from Poland, where she studied Graphic Design and Philosophy at Rzeszów University. She specialises in etching techniques and vector art, and she has been performing sands animation for several years.

She began working for Maxability when she moved to London several years ago. She enjoys helping the students grow in confidence and develop their abilities in ceramics with a hands-on approach. 

Agata is also passionate about films, animation and board games.

Dr Gizem Caglayan: Teaching Assistant

Gizem's artistic journey began at Hacettepe University in 2008, where she delved into ceramics. Graduating with a BA in 2012, she pursued a master's at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, specialising in Glass, completing her degree in 2014. In 2016, she ventured to London for the MRes Fine Art program at the Royal College of Art, refined her skills and broadening her artistic vision.

In 2018, Gizem embarked on a Ph.D. Fine Art program at Middlesex University, focused her research on "food, senses, and abject." She concluded this academic chapter by completing her Ph.D. in August 2023. Throughout her academic journey, she adeptly blended theory with hands-on practice, creating numerous works of art using clay and food as primary materials.

Gizem's approach, blending tradition with innovation and her exploration of materials and thoughtful inquiry into the sensory dimensions of art reflect a personal journey of growth and discovery in the artistic realm.

Elaine Jones: Activities Coordinator

Elaine has been a part of Maxability since its formation and is part of the charity's very fabric. For many years she has served on the team coordinating the activities and giving tirelessly of her time. You can read her full story of how she overcame the repercussions of a severe stroke and what Maxability means to her - View Elaines story

The founders of Maxability are Anita and Emile Woolf, Anita continues to head up the Board of Trustees. The Trustees meet when circumstances require, as well as holding formal quarterly meetings. Anita, our Chair is herself an artist of renown whose paintings have been acquired by collectors in many countries, although she now devotes most of her time and artistry to fine work in ceramics, as well as participating in the development of Maxability’s own classes. Emile, has been a Chartered Accountant for over fifty years, and is a bestselling and award-winning author of professional texts and economics essays. His regular "Economic Perspectives'' essays may be found on his website: http.//www.emilewoolfwrites.co.uk. He also organises Maxability’s regular fund-raising chamber music concerts. 

Catriona Rubens is a solicitor with specialist expertise in human rights legislation, case law and charity governance. She has a valuable grasp of the needs and safeguarding concerns of people with learning disabilities, and her specialist knowledge is highly relevant to Maxability’s activities. 

Dr Greg Hacksley, FRSA, has over twenty years of experience working in secondary and tertiary education in both teaching and leadership roles. He is a firm believer in the exponential power of the creative arts to transform lives for the better

Dr Richard Mapleston trained as a scientist and quantitative business analyst, and until recently acted as IT strategy manager for Royal Dutch Shell. He now splits his non-family time between academic pursuits and local Liberal politics. He strongly believes that government authorities and business should be held to account to carry out their responsibilities.

Maxability is very fortunate to have a group of students who act as the charity's voluntary ‘Steering Group’. They make sure the charity continues to make decisions that reflect the input of the very people we aim to serve. The group meets bi-monthly to discuss ideas and give feedback as well as to compile a report for the Board of Trustees to review at their meetings. They are all firmly committed to the charity and particularly enjoy the supportive community it has created.