Meet the team
Russell Todd
Russell is a Welsh-speaking community development practitioner of almost 25 years’ experience, researcher, digital inclusion trainer, project manager and co-operator.
Russell now works freelance offering services around community development consultancy and training, research, and podcast production. He has also set up various social and private enterprises such as Valleys Ale Trails, Expo’r Wal Goch and, of course, Grow Social Capital.
Russell set-up the world’s first podcast dedicated to the diverse topics of community development and the Wales football team: The Community Development Podcast; and Podcast Pêl-droed.
Russell is published on the topic of community anchors, community work and community development and also Welsh football. He believes in the power of community and social capital for tackling inequality, enhancing wellbeing and taking care of the planet.
Andy Green
Andy Green is a specialist in innovation and creativity, social capital, storytelling and strategic communications developing new ideas and tools to transform how to engage and create communities of social changemakers.
He is the author of seven books on creativity, brand storytelling and social capital – translated into eight languages. Andy works to break down barriers to transformational change to enable people and teams to make the most of their potential and their situations and has delivered projects around the globe including in Australia, Austria, China, Egypt, France, Gambia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Norway, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda and the United States.
Andy is a Fellow of the CIPR and RSA and is a founder supporter of the Dublin Conversations
Matt Appleby
Matt is a strategic communications consultant, working with organisations to develop and embed social purpose, and share the positive impact they can have on people and places.
He started his career in PR and, as managing director of one of Wales’ largest integrated agencies for nearly 10 years, Matt represented many of Wales’ highest-profile businesses and organisations.
Matt left agency life to join Business in the Community Cymru, running the Prince’s Responsible Business Network in Wales for three years, before setting up Matt Appleby Consulting in September 2019.
Matt is a Fellow of the CIPR, was Wales’ first CIPR Chartered PR Practitioner and is co-author of three CIPR PR handbooks on social media. He is an RSA Fellow and a member of the PRCA and IPSE.
Sarah Tamsin
Sarah is a freelance website consultant and content creator from South Wales.
She has spent over 15 years working on various digital projects in the voluntary sector and Local Government before launching her freelance career.
Starting her online business initially as a side hustle, Sarah also developed a network of successful websites and blogs using SEO, Pinterest and Social Media to drive traffic, she then monetised this content using affiliate marketing, brand partnerships and selling digital products.
