We are delighted to welcome three new faces to the iStandUK team: Kunmi Awodumi, Sarah Ball and Raonne Abdelazam.
Each brings a wealth of experience, new perspectives and plenty of enthusiasm to the team and will be supporting some of our key areas of work across iStandUK. We caught up with our newest team members to find out a little more about their backgrounds, what they will be working on and what they are looking forward to in their new roles.
Welcome Kunmi!
Kunmi joins iStandUK as a Stakeholder Engagement Manager, for Open Referral UK.
Bringing experience across stakeholder engagement, communications and digital transformation, Kunmi has previously worked across both central government and the NHS. In her new role, she will be using this experience to build relationships, support collaboration and help bring people together around the work of Open Referral UK.
On joining the team, Kunmi said:
“I’m excited to join Tameside council as a stakeholder engagement manager, working across iStandUK/iNetwork, with a particular focus on Open Referral UK. My background spans stakeholder engagement, communications and digital transformation, with previous experience across central government and the NHS. I enjoy making complex work easier to understand, building strong relationships and bringing people together around a shared goal. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, baking, makeup and a good tv show”.
We are really pleased to have Kunmi on board and look forward to seeing her contribute her experience and expertise to the growing Open Referral UK community.
Welcome Sarah!
Sarah brings extensive experience in partnership working, stakeholder engagement and project delivery, having spent much of her career working in further education alongside businesses, local government and the wider public sector. She has worked with organisations across Greater Manchester to build partnerships, bring people together around shared challenges and turn ideas into practical projects.
In her new role, Sarah will be supporting SAVVI, helping to build relationships, grow its community and create opportunities for organisations to connect, collaborate and share their learning.
Sarah said:
“I’ve had such a warm welcome since joining iStandUK. The team are incredibly friendly and supportive, and I’ve been really struck by the enthusiasm, expertise, and depth of knowledge of the people I’ve met.
It’s also been great to start seeing first-hand how SAVVI is helping organisations to use data more effectively to support vulnerable people. There is a real sense of excitement within the team about where SAVVI can go next and the possibilities for the future, which is exciting to be part of.
Throughout my career, the part of my job I’ve always enjoyed most has been bringing people together, building relationships and creating opportunities to share ideas and learn from each other. I’m really looking forward to getting to know the growing SAVVI community, hearing about the work organisations are doing and helping more people to get involved.
Outside of work, I love getting outdoors and walking with my dogs (usually with a pub at the end) and spending time with family and friends. I’m passionate about helping animals and love wildlife.”
We are excited to have Sarah joining the team and look forward to seeing her work with organisations across the SAVVI community.
Welcome Raonne!
We are also excited to welcome Raonne Abdelazem, who joins us as a Stakeholder Engagement Manager. Raonne is currently on Impact, the Local Government Association Graduate Scheme, as a National Management Trainee.
In her new role, Raonne will lead stakeholder engagement activities across iStandUK, while supporting the growth and development of its incubated services, SAVVI and Open Referral UK (ORUK). Working closely with colleagues across local government, central government and technology suppliers, she will help promote the adoption of data standards and strengthen collaboration across the sector.
Raonne studied Global Health and Social Medicine at King’s College London before gaining policy research experience at Citizens Advice and the Law Centres Network. Through her experience across the public and charity sectors, she has developed a strong understanding of how effective policy, collaboration and stakeholder engagement can help deliver positive outcomes for communities.
Raonne is looking forward to working with partners across government and industry, developing her knowledge of data standards and supporting their wider adoption to help deliver meaningful change across public services.
On joining the team, Raonne said:
"I am excited to join iStandUK and build strong relationships with people across the sector, who are all committed to improving public services. I am particularly looking forward to developing my understanding of data standards and exploring how they can be used to create more efficient and connected services. Outside of work, I love to read, crochet, and travel to new places!"
We are delighted to have Raonne joining the team and look forward to seeing her work with partners across the sector to strengthen collaboration and support the continued growth of iStandUK, SAVVI and Open Referral UK.