Meet the Team
I am the founder, Director of Operations and Inspirational Life Coach of BiG and feel truly blessed to be able to bring my 2 passions together - football and inspiring young people and empowering them to achieve. I am an ex semi professional footballer of 14 years, a UEFA B qualified football coach, who has worked at elite levels including Crystal Palace Academy for just under 5 years, and I am and an ex middle management civil servant of 23 years. Football has played a major role in my life and I have always used football as a powerful tool to unofficially mentor and guide children and young people. In 2010, I got a burning desire to do more to support young people so I left my successful civil service career and set up BiG in 2011. I believe that we all have a purpose in life, through our passions and to be able do what I love, gives me great satisfaction and in particular, the acknowledgement and gratitude from young people, teachers and parents has driven me to be resilient and to success during very tough times along my journey in developing a reputable and credible portfolio that with a great Leadership Team and volunteers have now been taken to new levels.
Lionel Best, Founder, Director of Operations and Inspirational Life Coach
I am a passionate about unlocking the skills and talents of youngsters and helping them fulfil their potential. During these increasingly uncertain times, it is important we provide services where children feel comfortable expressing themselves physically, emotionally and creatively and feel supported in whatever journey they undertake. BiG CIC plays an incredibly important role in the community and we are driven by our shared vision of enriching the lives of every one of our service users and instilling within them the confidence and skills so that they can succeed at whatever they want to with hard work, resilience and self-belief.
I have over 20 years’ experience in strategic communications in the private, public and financial services sector and have advised a range of senior individuals on engagement, media relations and political communications.
Vance Duhaney, Finance and Engagement Director
My name is Savanna and I am currently leading on the BiG Youth Social Action Volunteers scheme. I have always had a passion for working with young people, helping them to be the best they can and supporting my community. Mentoring young offenders 5 years ago was where my journey with young people started. Since then I have worked with young people in schools and colleges, obtained a degree in Psychosocial Studies, conducted research into youth crime rates and qualified as a Post-16 teacher.
Savanna Samms, BiG Youth Social Action Volunteers scheme