The Bridge Group has recently welcomed four new team members

You can find out all about them here

12/05/25

We are delighted to announce we’ve recruited four new members of staff in the last few months. Here you can meet them, find out why they wanted to come and work with us, and discover their first impressions of working at the charity.

Photograph of Jenny Baskerville smiling towards the camera — Jenny Baskerville

Chief Executive Officer

Jenny Baskerville has joined the Bridge Group as its new CEO, replacing Co-founder and former CEO, Nik Miller. Jenny joins us from KPMG UK, where she was formerly Head of Social Mobility and then Director and Head of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity. On why she wanted to join the Bridge Group, and her first couple of weeks in post, Jenny says:

“As a passionate advocate for social equality, both personally and throughout my career, it is a dream come true to lead the Bridge Group. Having worked extensively with the charity during my time at KPMG, I was always so impressed by their academic rigour, coupled with deeply pragmatic advice. Our clients share this view too and I have greatly appreciated meeting with a number of them in these first few weeks.
“It has been a joy spending time with the team too, both together and individually. They have made me feel very welcome. Each and every one of them is expertly qualified with a deep commitment to driving real and meaningful change. It is such a privilege to have joined them at this exciting juncture and, alongside our excellent Trustees, I look forward to what we will achieve together.”

Photograph of Dr Soyoung Kweon, smiling at the camara. — Dr Soyoung Kweon

Senior Data Analyst

Dr Soyoung Kweon started work as our new Senior Data Analyst at the end of 2024 and is responsible for conducting data analysis and advising on data approaches and methodology, in particular looking for ways in which available data can be utilised in a robust, evidence-based and pragmatic way.

On Soyoung’s decision to join the charity, and her first impressions, she says:

“My research interests focus on inequalities in the labour market. Throughout my work, I’ve often been struck by the lack of progress in this area, despite the wealth of available research. That’s what drew me to the Bridge Group - an organisation that not only produces robust evidence but also takes a practical, action-oriented approach to turning insight into real-world impact.
“I’m excited to be part of the team and contribute to its mission to advance socio-economic diversity and promote greater social equality across the UK.”

A photograph of Patricia Ncube, smiling towards the camera — Patricia Ncube

Researcher (qualitative methods)

Patricia Ncube is a Researcher at the Bridge Group, contributing to the design and delivery of qualitative research. Patricia comments on why she wanted to join us, and how the journey has been so far:

“I was drawn to the Bridge Group because it produces research that not only highlights inequality but actively seeks to transform the systems that sustain it. Having spent the last few years working at the intersection of research, practice, and advocacy, I was excited by the opportunity to bring an intersectional lens to this work - one that recognises how race, gender, class, and other social locations interact to shape people’s experiences of opportunity and exclusion. I’m interested in how structural inequalities play out in education and employment, and the Bridge Group’s focus on influencing real-world policy and practice really resonated with me.
“From my first week, I’ve been struck by how thoughtful, generous, and values-driven the team is. Everyone has been so warm and genuinely kind - it’s made settling in so easy. It has been an environment where your perspective and unique way of looking at the world is not only tolerated but celebrated and actively encouraged, a place where you feel your contributions are valued. I’m looking forward to contributing meaningfully to the work here and continuing to learn alongside such a committed team.”

Valentina Perinetti Casoni

Researcher (quantitative analysis)

Valentina Perinetti Casoni has recently been appointed as a new Researcher (Quantitative analysis). She is contributing to the design and delivery of research, with a particular focus on preparing and analysing quantitative data.

In terms of what attracted Valentina to apply to the Bridge Group, she comments:

“It’s clear the organisation is made of a team of highly competent people who are genuinely passionate about the work that they do. They also care about creating a working environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
“Prior to joining the Bridge Group, I worked in academic research for a number of years, but I actually started my career in policy evaluation and analysis. In my new role I will complement my academic research on socio-economic inequalities – particularly in education – with impactful work that has the explicit goal of instigating and promoting positive real change in the UK.”

After a couple of weeks in post, Valentina adds:

“I am very happy to have joined the Bridge Group! In these first few weeks, everyone has been incredibly welcoming and lovely. I’m excited to now be contributing to the work of the charity and I’m very much looking forward to meeting everyone in person for the first time in June.”

Thank you and good luck, but not goodbye

Following more than a decade leading the Bridge Group, Nik Miller stood down from his role as CEO of the Bridge Group at the end of April. He will continue his work to support social equality (including as a Fellow at the Bridge Group) – alongside his role at More Partnership. You can read Nik’s latest blog, written to mark ten years since the Bridge Group registered as a charity, here.

Further opportunities

As part of our ongoing strategy for growth, the Bridge Group will be recruiting additional Trustees and an employer partnerships lead later this year. If you are interested in applying your skills to these roles – helping support those from lower socio-economic backgrounds to get ahead – please stay tuned for further announcements.

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