Our Team

Our diverse team provide a wealth of experience that underpin our programmes. Specialists in their field and range from business professionals, trainers and lived experience people all with one goal – to make a difference to others.

Andrew Pritchard profile picture
Andrew Pritchard
Executive Founder

Andrew has been a successful entrepreneur in the music and events industry and produced many live music events and large-scale music festivals.

Andrew was also a very successful drug smuggler, a category ‘A’ criminal with a lifestyle to match, that is until it all came crashing down, ruining his life and more importantly ruining the lives of his family.

It was during Andrew’s time serving first at HMP Belmarsh and in the following years at different prisons that he changed from being a hardened criminal to a man who turned their life around and was now committed to supporting young prisoners turn away from crime and focused on giving them hope and opportunity.

That is when he decided to set up the AP Foundation to make a difference.

“I want them to learn from my mistakes, to help them find a pathway away from crime to a fulfilled life where they can achieve their potential”

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Melanie Williamson profile picture
Melanie Williamson
Executive PA

Melanie is a highly conscientious and motivated Board level Executive PA. Since 2003, she has been responsible for managing the diary of some of the most prominent CEOs in the private and third sectors.

Melanie is a good team player who thrives on the challenges associated with being a PA.

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Steve Diedrick profile picture
Steve Diedrick
Youth Behaviour Specialist

Steve had a challenging childhood in a difficult part of London. Being a young black man, dyslexic and not diagnosed until going to university, as a youth he was expelled from school and went to a pupil referral unit and drifted into crime.

He found his passion in working with young people and has now worked with over 1000 young people in a variety of settings including street corners, schools, children’s homes, youth centres, schools and prisons. He then went to university, getting a BA in Criminology, and worked for 12 years as a manager of a behaviour support unit within a secondary school, managing a team of 5 people and supporting hundreds of young people.

Steve received an award in 2017 for outstanding service to young people and has developed his own successful mentoring project and continues to work in different settings with young people from asylum seekers to care leavers, and gang members to those exploited by others.

He is passionate about community engagement and is currently working in the housing sector.

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Steve Murrell profile picture
Steve Murrell
Head of Compliance

Steve has a background in law and accounting and in the past has been a partner in a number of successful law firms. More recently, his attention has been focused on green energy projects and bringing a sustainable electricity solution to several of sub-Saharan African countries.

Since 2020, Steve has been working part-time for the AP Foundation and is now committed to a longer-term role ensuring that the Charity complies with all of its legal and regulatory obligations in connection with its rehabilitation, training and housing projects.

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Katherine Yates profile picture
Katherine Yates
Lead Trainer

Katharine Yates serves as the Lead Trainer for AP Foundation, bringing her wealth of experience and expertise to empower individuals through comprehensive training and development programs. With a strong background spanning over a decade in the charitable, public, and private sectors, Katharine Yates has assumed the pivotal role of Lead Trainer at AP Foundation. Her journey as a facilitator and coach has equipped her with invaluable insights into fostering personal and professional growth. At AP Foundation, she dedicates herself to creating transformative learning experiences, where individuals are not just participants but active participants in their own development. Through her guidance, people are offered 'breathing spaces' where they can express themselves, feel genuinely heard, and embrace gentle yet empowering challenges. Katharine's commitment lies in helping others flourish, making her an invaluable asset to the AP Foundation team and a beacon of inspiration for those on their growth journeys.

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Tony Weekes profile picture
Tony Weekes
Lead Trainer

Meet Tony, a highly skilled expert in conflict resolution, personal development, and safety, with a lifelong commitment to our charitable causes. With decades of invaluable experience, Tony has honed his expertise in addressing violence, challenging behavior, and aggression within culturally diverse communities across Europe. His extensive background also includes training adults who confront these issues in their voluntary or professional capacities. Beyond his dedication to our mission, Tony is a passionate advocate for personal growth and community safety. In his spare time, he channels his energy as an enthusiastic gym enthusiast and devoted family man, embodying the values of wellness and unity that align with our charitable pursuits.

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Divien Neufville profile picture
Divien Neufville
Senior Programme Manager

Divien's illustrious career spans work with young offenders, prisoners, care leavers, families, ex-offenders, and young people affected by domestic abuse. In her multifaceted roles, Divien has delivered one-on-one outreach support, addressed both practical and emotional needs, conducted domestic violence workshops, and advocated at MARAC and other critical meetings. She possesses advanced training in Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), Domestic Violence (DV), Youth Work, and Gangs Exit strategies, complemented by extensive expertise in Housing and Early Help. Renowned for her adeptness in multi-agency collaboration, Divien effectively supports individuals with complex needs, including mental health disorders, CSE, gang affiliation, and trauma.

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Magda Jurczuk profile picture
Magda Jurczuk
Bid Writer and Researcher

Magda joined the AP Foundation in 2024 as a bid writer and researcher with a background in human-centred design in the public sector. She is passionate about understanding complex problems from all possible perspectives and designing holistic solutions that are evidence-based and scalable. She has worked in academia, delivering pragmatic public health projects involving the design, re-design and implementation of health services and interventions in the UK and in South America. She has also carried out research and developed recommendations for clients like the Department for Education and the Department of Health & Social Care

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James Davis profile picture
James Davis
Research & PR Lead Consultant

A PR, insight, and communications lead with 10 years’ experience overseeing team strategy and campaigns for SMEs. James has created content for a wide range of organisations, from tech start ups and fast-growing ecommerce websites to industry trade bodies, charities, and academic institutions.

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