Rifat Saleem has been working in the charity sector for the past five years, including charity work for John Lewis. Prior to that she has done volunteering work for over ten years at various organisations including Christies and St Anne’s Hospice.

She also has experience in business, running her own beauty therapy establishment for twelve years.

A mother of three and grandmother of two, she happily divides her time between the charity and her family. Always setting herself new goals, she is currently learning Arabic and French and enjoys fell walking. In the past she has climbed various peaks in England and Wales, including Snowdon twice, the last of which was in 2010.

She even has time to get back to her roots – baking!