We’re pleased to announce the appointment of four new Trustees to our Board, strengthening our governance and bringing additional expertise to the charity, in pursuit of our mission.
Taz Mukhtar
Taz is a senior people and organisational leader with more than 15 years’ experience helping high-growth organisations scale sustainably. He has a proven track record of shaping people strategies, executive leadership, culture, and talent development through periods of rapid expansion.
Having held senior leadership roles across the fintech, technology, and consumer sectors, Taz brings deep expertise in governance, organisational effectiveness, and inclusive leadership. He is passionate about helping purpose-driven organisations build strong foundations for sustainable growth and long-term impact.
Charlotte Jackson
Charlotte joins The Hygiene Bank with almost 20 years’ experience in communications, PR and high-value relationship fundraising. During her early career representing high-profile health, beauty and wellbeing brands, including at Estée Lauder Companies, Charlotte managed charitable partnerships for leading UK brands, and discovered her passion for the charity sector.
She has since worked across fundraising and partnerships in large, medium and small charities, including Cancer Research UK, and held leadership roles at Smart Works, Mental Health UK and Rethink Mental Illness, where she currently leads high-value fundraising.
John Russo
John is Managing Director and Partner at LS Private. An advisor with a record of leading high-profile organisations across the art, luxury, and investment sectors, he previously served as CEO of one of Europe’s most prominent contemporary art businesses, delivering international expansion and substantial commercial growth.
He counsels ultra-high-net-worth families and founders on strategy, governance, legal coordination, and philanthropy across multiple jurisdictions.
In public service, John sits as a family magistrate, bringing a measured, community-minded perspective to complex decisions. He focuses on governance, safeguarding, and measurable social impact, helping boards turn mission into clear operating plans.
His philanthropic leadership has raised more than £2.5 million for UNICEF, Soccer Aid, CALM, Art for NHS, Haven House Children’s Hospice, and others, including establishing and managing charitable foundations and governance boards.
John also serves on the Board of Directors of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Diana Award and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Emma Russell
Emma is a finance partner at White & Case LLP, based in London, where she specialises in fund finance. She advises banks, private equity sponsors and property investors on complex financing structures, and is recognised by Chambers UK and Legal 500 as a leading practitioner in the field.
Alongside her legal practice, Emma holds a number of governance and leadership roles. She is European Co-Chair of Women in Fund Finance, sits on the board of the Fund Finance Association, and chairs its EMEA Executive Committee — experience she brings to the board of The Hygiene Bank in support of the charity’s financial oversight and strategic growth.
Emma joined The Hygiene Bank as a trustee because she believes no one should have to choose between staying clean and meeting other basic needs. She is committed to helping the charity strengthen its governance, broaden its partnerships and extend its reach to more communities living in hygiene poverty across the UK.
Ruth Brock, CEO of The Hygiene Bank shares:
“I am so pleased to welcome four new colleagues to the Board of Trustees and am very grateful to them for their commitment and desire to help make The Hygiene Bank even more impactful. They join existing Board Members whose sage advice and perceptive insight has been hugely effective in driving our progress to date, and which has been hugely appreciated by myself and the executive team.
I very much look forward to working with them all, as we take our next steps on our journey to ending hygiene poverty, for good.”
Chair of the Board, Dr James Dray continues:
“I’m delighted to welcome four new Trustees to our Board. They join a strong group of individuals united in their belief that no one should go without basic hygiene essentials.
I greatly look forward to chairing this refreshed Board which lays a strong foundation for our governance and for the charity’s success.”
A strengthened Board for the future
Together, these new Trustees join a committed group of existing Board Members who have been instrumental in driving The Hygiene Bank’s progress. Their combined expertise across governance, organisational leadership, fundraising, philanthropy and strategic communications will support the charity as it continues to expand its impact and influence.
We look forward to working with all members of our refreshed Board as we take the next steps on our journey to ending hygiene poverty, for good.
