Face Equality International
IFEW
Donate Members

Our People

Face Equality International works with (NGOs), charities and support groups improving the lives of people with facial differences by
collectively promoting the campaign for ‘face equality’.

Photo of James who is wearing formal clothing and looking toward the camera. One of his hands is raised towards his head.
James Partridge – Founder

James was a social entrepreneur, author, loving husband, father, grandfather, and the architect of the global face equality movement. After founding and leading Changing Faces, UK for 25 years, his understanding of the power of collective action led him in 2018 to launch Face Equality International,  an Alliance of 36 organisations around the world. 

Our Board

Portrait photo of Jill wearing a black top. She has shoulder length hair and is wearing glasses
Jill Clark – Chair 

Lecturer, trainer, director, customer service consultant. Passionate about face equality: focus on the person not their appearance. Mother of three. A bit busy.

Portrait photo of Charlotte who is smiling. She has short blonde hair and is wearing glasses.
Charlotte Venter – Trustee

Daughter of James Partridge, Founder of FEI. Over 10 years’ experience in School Leadership. Mum to 2 lovely girls, a hamster and a cockapoo.

Henrietta has shoulder length dark hair, she is wearing a grey top and behind her is a tree, brick wall and a mirror
Henrietta Spalding – Trustee

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist. Life long advocate of face equality. Cat lover.

Portrait photo of Henrietta. Henrietta has long dark hair and is wearing a black top and gold necklace
Henrietta Worthington – Trustee

Lawyer specialising in finance and ESG issues. Speaks Spanish and French and has done a fair amount of travelling about!

Portrait Photo of Paul with a blue background. He has short, light hair and is looking directly to the camera and is smiling.
Paul Wilden, CMgr CCMI, FCIB – Trustee

Global Financial services professional, Disability and D&I advocate, Chartered Companion and Member of the Board of Companions of the CMI, Fellow of the LIBF, Member of the International Advisory Council of the IBE. Married to Sid and “Dad” to two Beagles; Harvey and Poppy.

Side-on photo of Dean, a white man with dark short hair and a beard. He is wearing a grey turtleneck jumper, a navy jacket, and is standing against a stone wall.
Dean Gillespie – Trustee

Marketing and fundraising professional at the world’s largest anti-slavery organisation, leading bold campaigns that champion human rights, freedom and equality. Passionate about building movements for justice and driving meaningful social change — and a proud, lifelong West Ham supporter.

Our Team

'In action' Head and shoulders photo of Phyllida at a conference. She has long brown hair and is smiling and laughing looking into the distance.

Phyllida Swift – CEO

Proud owner of facial scars. Vegan foodie, and very occasional artist. Have an irrational fear of apples.

Photo of Chloe who is looking at the camera and smiling, she is wearing a burgundy jumper and is standing in front of the UN Geneva building.

Chloe Walters – Campaigns Manager

Living with a disability, passionate about equality and inclusion. Pet parent and former fashion student that happily ended up in comms and campaigning.

Portrait photo of Matilda who is looking directly at the camera. She has above shoulder length blonde hair.

Matilda Lansdown – Fundraising Manager, Community & Partnerships

Long-time ambassador for facial difference, born with a cleft lip and palate. Background in beauty and fashion, loves to challenges traditional beauty standards and promote diversity. Youngest of four girls, a non-identical twin, chef’s wife and proud dog mum. Can usually be found at a party or festival when not hard at work!

FEI circular brush stoke logo.

Hannah Saunders PhD, FHEA – Head of Policy and Education

Academic by background, specialising in research about law and policy relating to visible difference and disability. Hot chocolate connoisseur.

Head and shoulders photo of Jenny, a white woman with short brown hair smiling. She is wearing a yellow shirt.

Jenny McGibbon – Digital Communications Officer

Disabled and chronically sick graphic designer with lifelong experience of visible difference. Committed to helping create a world where everyone is included, safe and valued. Passionate about accessible approachable design. And naps – can’t forget those.

photo shows Mark looking towards the camera. He is wearing a hat, a suit and glasses and has facial hair.

Mark Wakeling – Head of Operations

Mark has spent over 25 years helping organisations grow within the charity sector. He’s passionate about social change and creating opportunities for people to thrive in a safe, supportive environment. Mark brings calm organisation to the team and, when he’s not at work, can often be found listening to live music.

Photo shows Steph facing the camera, they have blonde shoulder length hair and are wearing a patterned dress.

Steph Stanesby – Head of Marketing

Steph has been working in the charity sector for over 20 years and has dedicated their career to social justice and driving meaningful change. A passionate champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating accessible communications and proactively raising the voices of marginalised people. Also fond of photography, sci fi and fantasy books and learning BSL, one sign at a time.

Country spotlight: Face equality in Taiwan

We’re proud to have worked so closely with the Sunshine Welfare Foundation, Taiwan, as Founder Members of Face Equality International and one of the first countries in the world to put on their own face equality event! Here, Sunshine share with us some of the challenges facing people with facial differences in Taiwan and how they are working hard to address them.

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    The mission of Face Equality International (FEI) is to mobilise the many groups and organisations, big and small, national and international, which support and represent people with facial differences and disfigurements and thereby to create the critical mass and solidarity needed to gain global attention for the campaign for face equality.

    About FEI

    Country spotlight: Face equality in Taiwan

    We’re proud to have worked so closely with the Sunshine Welfare Foundation, Taiwan, as Founder Members of Face Equality International and one of the first countries in the world to put on their own face equality event! Here, Sunshine share with us some of the challenges facing people with facial differences in Taiwan and how they are working hard to address them.

    Read More

    Facial Recognition Technology: friend or foe of the Facial Difference (FD) community?

    Background We hear from our community that facial recognition tech (‘FRT’) does not always work for them. Our 2024 community survey showed that people with facial differences report a range of difficulties with the technology, and the serious harms which can result. These can include difficulty applying for jobs, trouble accessing money through a banking […]

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    Becoming the Woman in the Portrait

    Melanie shares with us the impact of having her portrait photograph taken, touching on society’s views of difference, and how it feels to be truly seen. Photographer Martina Holmberg wins Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize 2025 with photograph featuring visible difference, a positive move for inclusion and representation in the arts.

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