PEOPLE

Say hello to our dynamic, friendly and dedicated team! We’re passionate about supporting positive change for people and the planet. We might host you at our Edinburgh premises, help you start your own social business, or advise you in setting up a new coworking space.

  • Chief Executive Officer
    Helen Denny
    Helen is an entrepreneurial and empathetic leader with 20+ years’ experience across sectors.
  • Sam Ross
    Business Development Manager
    Sam Ross
    Sam joined the Melting Pot in January 2024, bringing along an established enthusiasm for growth and challenge.
  • Finlay Clarkson
    Community & Growth Manager
    Finlay Clarkson
    Fin joined the Melting Pot in February 2026 as Community & Growth Manager
  • Marketing and Engagement Officer
    Millie Ashworth-Ritch
    Since February 2023, we have been delighted to see Millie more often as she enjoys her role as full-time Marketing and Engagement Officer.
  • Sales & Partnerships Lead
    Daniela Garcia
    Dani joined The Melting Pot in January 2025 and leads on outreach initiatives, ensuring delivery against KPIs, while nurturing relationships that support social impact and organisational growth.
  • Community Host
    Joe Gair
    Joe joined The Melting Pot in January 2025 as a Community Host.
  • Community Host
    Hannah McCollam
    Hannah joined the Melting Pot in June 2026 as Community Host

Board

  • Chair of the Board
    Lisa Paris
    Lisa has worked for the last 20 years in senior leadership roles envisioning strategy, developing operational plans and delivering cultural transformation, sustainability, innovation and efficiency across different teams.
  • Alice Paterson
    Alice is an accredited coach, former management consultant and investment analyst.
  • Felicity Rylands
    Felicity is an experienced head of international programmes with a demonstrated history of consulting, developing and delivering strong programmes and innovative partnerships into new geographies and sectors worldwide.
  • Evie Simkins
    Evie works for the Social Enterprise, Verité where she has been employed for eight years.
  • Catherine Henderson
    Catherine has over 25 years of third sector experience, specialising in fundraising, cause engagement, lobbying and operational and strategic management.
  • Mark Anderson
    Director of The Europe Office within Glasgow Caledonian University and a champion for social innovation within the university sector.
  • Andrew Richards
    Andrew started his career as a videogame developer, before starting a high-tech specialist computer software company.
  • Hanoz Mirza
    Hanoz has over a decade experience in accounting, finance and treasury.
  • Dhruv Sharma
    Dhruv Sharma is a civil servant, currently working at Education Scotland, and brings a multidisciplinary perspective to improving how organisations design and deliver change, drawing on a background in anthropology and design
  • Kristine Steele
    With a strategic background at board level covering HR, operations, and finance, Kristine now specialises in supporting startups, and scale ups navigate the critical stages of growth.
  • Rebecca Bridgland
    Rebbecca has a background in conservation and environmental education, before moving into financial services.

Founder

  • Founder
    Claire Carpenter
    Claire founded The Melting Pot – one of Europe’s first coworking spaces – in 2007, in her adopted home city of Edinburgh, Scotland.