Emily Swords

Emily has worked in the voluntary sector for more than twenty years and currently leads BBC Children in Need's grant-making across the UK.

Throughout her career, she has held a diverse range of roles, including managing grant programmes, leading a small children's charity, advising philanthropists on their giving, and supporting charitable trusts to develop effective funding strategies.

Emily also has extensive fundraising experience, having secured significant contributions from individuals and corporate partners for a wide range of causes, including cancer support, homelessness, and medical research. Her broad sector experience gives her a deep understanding of how funding can create meaningful and lasting impact for communities.