Suzanne Thompson is chief executive officer and founding member of The Restore Trust and a member of the company's board of directors. Suzanne has a demonstrated history of working in public services and over 25 years’ experience of working in Criminal Justice. Skilled in Business Process, Coaching, Government, Entrepreneurship, and Team Building. Strong business development professional with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) focused in Social Work from University of the West of England. She has been named as one of the 'Top 100 Inspirational West Women of the Year 2019' who have made a difference in their communities. She is also the founding member of The Key- Unlock Potential Charity to support the aim of creating paid employment for people leaving prison to assist them in desisting from crime and contributing positively to their local communities.

Alex Ardlan-Raikes is a charity leader who has dedicated her life to ending inequality. Alex became Strategic Director of Stand Against Racism & Inequality (SARI) – a leading, regional hate crime charity – in 2014 having joined as their first caseworker in 1991. Alex is a trustee of the Learn @ MultiAcademy Trust; a member of the University of Bristol Court; was awarded an MBE in 2009; an Honorary Doctorate by the University of West of England in 2019 and in November 2019 was announced as Bristol’s High Sheriff in Waiting (2022).

Alex brings energy, enthusiasm and experience to the TKUP team, as well as extensive connections with and insights into the charity sector locally and nationally

Following a successful career in sales and new business development within the commercial sector, Sarah transitioned into fundraising in 2005. As Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Outward Bound Trust, she managed major partnership programmes with the likes of HSBC and Barclays Capital, and was instrumental in securing significant new business from both corporates and high net-worth individuals.

After her time at the Trust, Sarah pursued a full-time Master’s degree in Criminology at the University of Brighton. She subsequently held various youth justice/crime diversion and restorative justice roles for Sussex based Youth Offending Services / HMP Lewes.

Sarah currently works at a Probation Hostel in Bristol, where she supports high risk male offenders transitioning from custody. She facilitates regular rehabilitative activities, is the Wellbeing Champion for both staff and residents, and also the Enabling Environment Lead (an Award given by the Royal College of Psychiatrists). 

Olly Swayne has worked in senior operational and commercial roles within the hospitality industry for some 30 years across several sectors including cafés, bars, and restaurants, on the ‘High Street’ and in airports across the UK, with local, national and global brands.

Olly has experience of complex stakeholder groups, at the ‘coalface’ and in the Boardroom, with experience of multi-site operations, business development, commercial, compliance and change management, for businesses including Whitbread, SSP Group, and more recently Loungers.

Between 2009 and 2016, Olly also worked as a volunteer, trustee and Director/ Chair of the local Bristol charity, Caring at Christmas, and Bristol Night Stop during a time of significant change and reinvention.

“I am delighted to be involved in The Key because it is a local charity that, at its heart, cares for people who need to be given a second chance, given a genuine sense of belonging and value, and given the skills, support and renewed self confidence to move on.”

Natalie Steadman, Head of Security at HMP Bristol. An experienced leader of change and people with a track record of working in the field of criminal justice, victim care, safeguarding, health and social care for over 10 years. She is passionate about improving the outcomes for people in the criminal justice system, and has worked in operational roles in Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Bath and North East Somerset Council, leading large departments and multi-agency change programmes.

After a brief stint lecturing in Criminology in the United States, Natalie returned to the UK and joined the prison service with an ambition to improve outcomes for prisoners, through modernisation, innovation and a person centred approach to custodial care.

Sharon is a certified Equality Diversity & Inclusion practitioner and she currently works for Great Western Hospital in Swindon. Sharon monitors and advises the Trust on its inclusion practice and helps to shape the organisation’s EDI strategy and its related programme of work. She is also a Staff Network/ERG champion and is passionate about shaping best practice and bringing innovation to this space in the NHS.

Sharon is an avid networker and has co-founded the Big Coffee Break that promotes peer-to-peer support in the NHS. In addition to championing Diversity & Inclusion across the UK, Sharon is an avid volunteer and has fulfilled a number of board roles over the past five years. Prior to working for the NHS Sharon has run several small businesses, including consultancy, working in the business advice sector specialising in supporting businesses in ethnic minority communities.

Emily is a marketing professional with a decade of experience in the field. She is a content marketer with expertise in end-to-end strategic marketing; SEO and events management.

Sophia is an experienced and dedicated Human Resources professional, holding a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and a CIPD Level 7 qualification. With a strong foundation in HR principles and practices, she is known for her approachable nature and genuine passion for supporting others. Throughout her career, Sophia has consistently demonstrated a commitment to going above and beyond to empower individuals and contribute positively to the communities she serves.

Mike Cranney has 30 years experience in the hospitality industry. From managing small independent bars in Bristol to incorporating a small pub co. comprising of 3 award winning public houses/bars in Bristol. Having built those businesses from the ground up, all were closed and almost derelict sites, many things have been learned along the way.

With a passion to be able to pass on the benefit of experience to those who need it, Mike brings knowledge of what it takes to be successful in an extremely competitive hospitality environment and a willingness to introduce the trainees that work with the team to a wide network of hospitality business owners, who are looking to fill roles in multiple areas of their businesses.   

Lee was appointed Chief Executive of Young Bristol in 2018 and has seen the charity through a continuous period of change and growth. He now combines his wealth of experience from working in the Private, Public and Third Sector in Senior Management roles with a lifelong passion for supporting community based voluntary sector youth provision. Lee remains committed to providing and developing high quality, safe but fun youth provision and programmes that are freely accessible for all young people.

Lee was appointed a trustee of The Key Café in December 2025. He is also a trustee for a range of other charities and a member of several National Advisory Boards. Lee was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of the City and County of Bristol in 2020, and His Majesty’s Vice Lord-Lieutenant in October 2025.

Outside of work, Lee has always been heavily involved in a range of sports, football in particular where has a qualified Sports Therapist he also works part time for Bath City FC.