Sharing Economy UK announces new Chair and board

Patchwork is a sharing economy platform which lets friends collectively contribute towards one big gift or experience.

Olivia succeeds Richard Laughton and is joined by board members Fergus Campbell (Gumtree), Siddarth VijayaKumar (GrubClub) and Marie Lorimer (Airbnb).  The SEUK Chair serves a one-year term and Board members serve two-year term.

Since SEUK’s inception, the trade body helped establish the industry’s independent TrustSeal kitemark and has successfully called for tax changes in Government’s Finance Bill - which help to better protect both consumers and companies.

Olivia Knight, Sharing Economy UK Chair and Founder of Patchwork, said:

"I'm honoured to take on the role of Chair of Sharing Economy UK, to represent so many amazing businesses that enable ordinary people to directly trade their space, skills and stuff. Sharing Economy platforms provide a huge range of products and services. What we have in common is that we all use technology to empower people to utilise resources and at the same time reduce waste.

"Representing UK start-ups like Patchwork and global companies like Airbnb, GrubClub and Gumtree, the Sharing Economy is one of the UK's fastest growing and exciting sectors.

“I very much look forward to working with businesses, communities and policy makers to celebrate the common-sense benefit of sharing while promoting and protecting the interests of the people who provide and engage with sharing economy products and services."

About Fergus, Siddarth and Marie

Fergus

Fergus Campbell is Head of Communications at Gumtree – the UK’s leading classifieds platform which is part of the eBay Classified Group - and has spent 15 years working in communications and marketing for Teneo Blue Rubicon and Golin, for a variety of UK and international businesses.

Gumtree helps people do a variety of things, including getting a job, selling a car, decluttering their home, or finding a new flatmate. Fergus also sits on a number of other industry groups and associations.

Siddarth

Sid VijayaKumar is the Co-Founder of GrubClub, a sharing economy experimental dining experience business which is among Europe's largest in revenue terms. GrubClub helps culinary entrepreneurs to thrive and grow.

Sid’s previous roles include Eatwith’s Managing Director and Intrapreneur at Omnicom.  He currently holds a number of NED roles with sharing economy start-ups, where he mentors entrepreneurs new to the sector on everything from marketing to operations, to product to finance.

Marie

Marie is Airbnb’s Public Policy Manager, UK & Ireland.  She works with all levels of government, politicians and civil society - educating policymakers about how Airbnb can help to drive a sustainable economy and healthy tourism growth.

Prior to Airbnb, Marie advised a variety of businesses and multinational organisations across he technology, media, charity and Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sectors on strategic communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement and campaigning.

29 March 2019

About Sharing Economy UK

Sharing Economy UK (‘SEUK') is the trade body championing the UK's sharing economy industry – from the world's most influential sharing economy businesses to innovative and industry-defining start-ups.

SEUK works closely with policymakers including the Government.  It represents the sharing economy community and calls for policy changes which better protect both consumers and sharing economy businesses.

SEUK was launched in March 2015 following a Government-commissioned independent review written by Debbie Wosskow OBE, founder of Love Home Swap.  In March 2017, Sharing Economy UK entered into a close collaboration with the CBI, the UK's most influential business organisation. While SEUK maintains its name and distinct voice, the CBI provides SEUK with operational support and advises on key policy and business challenges facing the sector.

About the CBI

Across the UK, the CBI speaks on behalf of 190,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors. The CBI’s corporate members together employ nearly 7 million people, about one third of private sector-employees. With offices in the UK as well as representation in Brussels, Washington, Beijing and Delhi, the CBI communicates the British business voice around the world.