New-U is run by a small passionate team committed to making a positive difference in our community. We’re proud to be supported by an incredible group of volunteers and guided by a steering group and dedicated board of trustees, who help shape our direction and ensure we stay true to our mission. Together, we’re creating opportunities, promoting sustainability, and keeping fashion fun, affordable, and accessible for all. Scroll down to meet the faces behind New-U!
Sue Buffin - Founder & Strategic Director
After many years working in the NHS, Sue was looking for a new challenge and took a key role with The Prince’s Trust in 2015 helping young people into work. Recognising a gap in provision for those needing a safe and flexible working environment to gain in confidence and skills, and having the vision to combine this with her passion for up-cycling and reducing textile waste resulted in New-U being formed as an independent charity in 2018. Sue’s tireless determination to maintain the unique combination of addressing social mobility and textile waste reduction has seen New-U flourish and grow.
Laura Blackwell - Project Manager
Laura has worked in the charity and public sector throughout her career, most recently working at North Norfolk District council supporting a range of economic, cultural and community projects. She has a background in both retail and events management. Working for the National Trust for several years and starting her career in an independent bookshop in Great Yarmouth. She is a passionate and committed environmentalist who will bring a range of skills and experience to the New-U team. Laura is responsible for upcycling, community outreach, events and marketing.
Clare Francis - Project Manager
Clare has dedicated her career to working for the charitable sector. She ran community events for a women’s charity in Leicestershire before working at The Prince’s Trust for 11 years in project management and public sector fundraising. Clare was a New-U trustee before becoming employed as a Project Manager in 2021. Clare is passionate about working with young people to help them develop their skills and experiences and strives to live a sustainable life style which supports New-U’s ethos. Clare is responsible for work placement referrals, volunteer management and fundraising at New-U.
Jason Elwin - Shop Manager
Jason is a former work placement and volunteer who now works as a shop manager. When Jason joined he was very shy and lacked confidence but with support from the New-U team he is now happy and comfortable with customers and use his experience to guide new work placements. Jason has become an invaluable member of the New-U Team and is brilliant role model and inspiration to participants helping them to gain new skills and overcome anxiety and self-doubt.
Tina - Shop Assistant
Christine Robinson - Upcycling Lead
For many years Christine’s career centred around Adult Social Care working with vulnerable adults living in Hostels. Christine retired at the beginning of 2021, and within a couple of months became bored and needed a new challenge. Christine has been working with New-U since February 2022 and has developed a programme of community upcycling workshops using textiles that New-U cannot put out in its shops. She currently runs regular upcycling session at the Cromer Community Centre – Friendship Hub.
Our Board of Trustees
Simeon Archer-Rand - Chair of Trustees
Sim has worked as a marine environmental scientists for the past 10 years. Through his work in the UK and overseas he has seen first-hand the devastating impact which waste has on our oceans. When Sim was approached by Sue as a potential Trustee, and was told about the aims of New-U and it’s objective to reduce waste in the fashion industry he couldn’t wait to help out. Sim became a trustee in 2019 and Chair in 2021
Julia Nix – Founder Trustee
Julia is a career Civil Servant and current District Manager for East Anglia Jobcentre Plus. Having been a Princes’ Trust ambassador for over 30 years and working with Sue on Talent Match (an employability project) she was approached to become a Trustee in 2018. With a clear passion to help young people find and retain work, as well as an interest in fashion a Julia has been delighted to help deliver New-U’s vision.
Robert Bradley – Founder Trustee
Rob has been championing New-U since its inception thanks to his role as the manager of Castle Quarter. An experienced retail property manager with over 25 years experience in the shopping centre industry, Rob is always keen to share the benefit of his experience with the Board of Trustees.
Heather Cracknell - Trustee
Heather is a vicar in the Church of England, and has always enjoyed wearing colourful, quirky clothes, which has sometimes posed an interesting challenge! She is committed to avoiding fast fashion as much as possible, so became involved with New-U as a customer, before coming to appreciate the great opportunities the shops offer to young people to gain skills and confidence. She became a trustee in 2021.
Lou Gardiner – Trustee
As CEO and Founder of ACE, an education and training CIC, Lou has always been a supporter of other social enterprises and charities. She prides herself on helping other VCSE organisations to thrive. Sharing New-U’s vision of promoting sustainable fashion and helping the environment, while helping young people and disadvantaged adults achieve better lives through improved confidence and work skills. Lou joined the board at New-U in 2021.
Jess Harrison - Trustee
Jess is a qualified solicitor and has a background in HR and brings her experience to the Board of Trustees. As a regular volunteer, Jess organised and kept our storeroom ready to quickly set up our jumble sales and pop-up events. As well as working behind the scenes, Jess is a volunteer mentor for our work placements helping guide them through the steps to paid employment or further education.
Join our Steering Group
Alongside our management team and Trustees, our steering group helps guide and strengthen New-U—offering valuable insights and feedback on the delivery of our charitable mission and community support activities.
If you’d like to feed in, please contact us at hello@new-ultd.co.uk.