Rich Wiltshire
CEO
Rich brings over 10 years of CEO experience and has a proven record of success in the charity and commercial sectors. As a passionate leader, he is skilled in creating and executing innovative strategies that drive growth and help achieve goals. Rich’s people-focused approach has been key to leading successful changes and transformations in the organisations he has worked with.
"One of the things that excites me most about EPIC Restart is the value we place on lived experience. The fact that so many of the team bring personal insight and understanding to our work is not just inspiring - it is essential. It's very clear to me that lived experience is at the heart of everything we do, shaping our approach, strengthening our impact, and ensuring we truly understand the challenges and opportunities faced by the people we support."
Richie Paxton
Deputy CEO
Before joining the foundation in 2021, Richie spent 20 years in the Health and Fitness industry and is passionate about improving people's quality of life and supporting those affected by gambling harm.
"I spent 18 years battling gambling addiction which also manifested itself into alcohol and drug addiction. In 2018 I found myself at my lowest point and I reached out to Sporting Chance Clinic, who gave me the opportunity to turn my life around. Since then I have been on a journey of personal development and growth. In my role as Head of Programmes, I now get to use that experience to help others. I was given the opportunity to restart my life and I look forward to helping others restart theirs."
Steve Ramsey
Regional Development Lead - North East
Steve had a successful career in Financial Business Support in both the Public and Private Sectors before a devastating gambling addiction overtook his life and resulted in severe life-altering consequences. A desire to understand the addiction and prevent harm to others has resulted in work with the Gambling Commission, NHS Gambling Service, Howard League, and others to raise awareness of gambling harm.
"As someone who had personally struggled with so many aspects of trying to rebuild my life after a devastating gambling addiction, I feel I am perfectly suited to fulfil the mission of the EPIC Restart Foundation to provide the tools to lead a positive life for those harmed by a gambling addiction. Lived experience provides me with the drive and determination to make a difference to those who may need it most and to support them in their ongoing recovery."
Stacey Goodwin
Programme Manager
Stacey has suffered with an addiction since the age of 18 that spanned for the next 8 years of her adult life, missing out on opportunities to grow and understand important things that she could have been learning throughout these years. Stacey's addiction started whilst she was just a girl, hence the alias 'the girl gambler. Stacey now supports many women going through the same reassuring them they are not alone, as women do suffer with this addiction too but can also recover and live life to the fullest once again.
‘I'm excited to begin my journey with EPIC Restart Foundation as what I've learned with the Foundation is not only so many life skills - to improve coping strategies, relationships and day to day management of my life - but it also reaffirms a message that is so important to me. I was as vulnerable walking out of treatment as I was when I walked into it, the world was now my oyster, but I had to learn how to grow and cope with life without gambling. EPIC Restart Foundation cemented my message that recovery from gambling addiction does not end at abstinence: it continues into day to day life and there IS life after gambling addiction’.
Jo Mustafa
Recovery Coach
With a professional background in logistics, Jo’s 7-year gambling addiction started with a one-off bet, but quickly escalated and spiralled out of control. She became suicidally depressed, struggling with a huge amount of debt, isolated, and so stressed that her hair began to fall out. Jo received life-saving treatment for her addiction with Gordon Moody, and then took part in EPIC Restart’s aftercare programmes, rebuilding her self-esteem, transforming her confidence and empowering her to take positive steps towards achieving her life goals. Jo has since trained as a peer supporter and taken part in GambleAware’s media campaigns to raise awareness of gambling harm. She is passionate about using her lived experience to support others:.
“Reaching out for help was the best thing I’ve ever done. Taking part in the EPIC Restart programmes completely changed my outlook on life and my confidence. It helped me understand the importance of gaining someone’s trust and confidence by actively listening to their experience, being your authentic self, showing empathy and offering non-judgemental understanding and unconditional positive support. I am really excited to now be working with the team at EPIC Restart, supporting and mentoring others on their journey of recovery.”
Mark Pickering
National Engagement Manager
Mark had a successful career in Financial Services before his life fell apart through a gambling addiction affecting not only himself, but many of those closest to him. The addiction affected his housing, employment, finances, relationships and his mental/physical health, all of which have long term effects.
"My recovery has been all about rebuilding my life, growing, and helping others who have suffered in similar ways. I have done this through volunteering, being part of a Lived Experience Advisory Panel to the Gambling Commission and most importantly getting a job working for EPIC Restart Foundation where I felt I could finally stop hiding behind the mask and be myself again. As Engagement Manager I not only get to work with individuals who have suffered, but also other organisations that help those in recovery."
Dionne Slater
Community Coordinator
Known online as The Shame Slayer, Dionne is an Empowerment Coach and has supported events with the EPIC Restart Community. Falling in love with everything that EPIC Restart Foundation stands for and with a successful background in community building and management, Dionne is thrilled to join the team.
“I can’t even express how excited I am to be part of such an incredible Foundation that doesn’t just say they care about their community…they genuinely mean it. Having lived experience in addiction and the stigma surrounding it, I am so passionate about helping others in their recovery”
Steph King
Director of Communications and Fundraising
Steph is an experienced marketing and communications professional, passionate about creating positive change through storytelling. Having previously worked in the homelessness sector, Steph has spent many years amplifying the voices of people who have faced systemic injustice and communicating the missions of impactful organisations doing life-changing work.
"I have spent many years in the third sector learning about the challenges people face accessing help during tough times. I've witnessed the critical role of innovative organisations in providing effective support. Working for EPIC Restart, an organisation that prioritises lived experience and focuses on people's strengths to create lasting positive change, is a real privilege."
Sophie Cohen-Jones
Operations Manager
Sophie has 12+ years' experience working in Learning and Development, Education and Programme Management. As a previous secondary school teacher, she has a good understanding of learning pathways and the importance of taking an individual approach to learning and development. More recently, she led several training programmes for the UK's Student Mental Health charity and is an advocate for promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in both her professional and personal life. She is excited to work with a forward-thinking team, with the joint mission to support people in creating a fulfilling and meaningful life beyond gambling-related harm.
"I am thrilled to join EPIC Restart Foundation and collaborate with such a forward-thinking team. This opportunity aligns perfectly with my passion for helping others and my commitment to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing. Through the programmes delivered, we can support individuals in creating a fulfilling and meaningful life beyond gambling-related harm."
Rebecca Parker
Families, Friends and Affected Others Recovery Coach
Rebecca has over eight years of experience in the charity sector, organising fundraising events, community engagement, and project management to support isolated communities across North London.
In her spare time, Rebecca works as an advisor on the GamCare Helpline, is completing her Counselling diploma, and volunteers to support people's mental health at JAMI. Her recent role at GamCare as a Safer Gambling Trainer allowed her to work directly with gambling operators, teaching staff and management skills around Motivational Interviewing and techniques to empower individuals going through addiction.
Rebecca’s personal experience with gambling addiction came through her previous partner, who struggled with gambling secretly for over 10 years, particularly with cryptocurrency and online gambling, which led to a downward spiral that impacted their relationship. From this experience, Rebecca’s passion to support families and affected others has only grown, and she is committed to using her lived experience to empower others.
“I cannot wait to start my journey here at EPIC Restart. My goal is to use my experience and skills to empower individuals, give people the confidence to talk about their experiences, and create better futures for themselves. My passion and drive to make the world a better place get me up in the morning, and I am excited to work with such a great team of like-minded people.”
Asjad Mehmood
Regional Development Lead - Yorkshire
Asjad is an experienced and qualified Project Manager and community development professional with 12 years’ experience, managing and leading projects including: Community-based Rehabilitation, HIV AIDS, Enterprise development, Inclusive Education, Community Mental Health and Viral Hepatitis. Asjad is passionate about creating positive change through community engagement.
“I am excited about continuing my journey working with the EPIC Restart Foundation, engaging communities to support all those affected by gambling harm and helping them to make positive changes to their lives.”
Andrew Nicol
Recovery Coach
While progressing in a career in finance for 12 years, I was silently battling a gambling addiction, leaving myself isolated and feeling hopeless. Life changed when, in 2017, I was arrested for fraud, to fund my gambling addiction, which was the first time I admitted I needed help. After receiving support, I abstained from gambling for over 5 years before having a lapse.
This setback led me to EPIC Restart Foundation, which helped show me that recovery was more than just ‘stopping gambling’ and helped me move towards a more fulfilling life. It was here that I worked on the traits I had neglected for so many years during my gambling harm, pushing myself out of the comfort zone that I had stayed in most of my life and realising that personal growth is an ongoing journey.
"I feel privileged and grateful to be given the chance to work for EPIC Restart Foundation, where I hope to use my experiences to support others on their path to recovery. My journey has taught me the importance of compassion, resilience, and the power of community in overcoming adversity."
Zoe Murray-Ross
Director of Operations
Zoe has spent 25 years serving in the Armed Forces in the Royal Military Police. With a background in People Operations, Zoe has worked in various roles including Career Management, Policy Development and Digital Discovery. More recently, Zoe has continued service in the Army Reserve and taken time to upskill as a tutor for Swim England and the Royal Life Saving Society.
“I am thrilled to be joining EPIC Restart as Head of Operations. I am passionate about tangible outcomes and can see real benefit and possibility through all the work being done. My role is to make sure we have the building blocks in place to allow the wider business to thrive, which in turn opens the door to helping so many more people.”
Craig Tampin
Recovery Coach
Craig joins the team with a wealth of diverse experience. He spent 17 years working as a plumber for a Local Authority, navigating his own recovery from gambling harm, and completing the EPIC Restart programme. Craig discovered a new passion for cold water therapy, becoming an 'Ice Guy' and dipping in the sea with others facing similar challenges.
"Having experienced the challenges of recovery firsthand, I feel passionate about supporting others in finding their path to a better future. This new role allows me to use my personal journey and skills to empower individuals, inspire hope, and create meaningful change in their lives.”
Amy Byfield
Womens Programme Manager and Recovery Coach
Amy has a background in housing and homelessness and has built her career around empowering people to make their own choices. She likes to think outside the box to find solutions and give people a voice when they are sometimes unheard.
“I am excited to join the team at the EPIC Restart Foundation. Having battled a gambling addiction since 2008, I went to rehab in 2023, when I left treatment that's when the real work began. I realised I had lost who I was as a person and the EPIC Restart Foundation helped me rediscover who I was. I also learnt that recovery is not one size fits all, it took me a long time to find something that worked for me, and I hope to help others discover what is right for them.”
Our Trustees
Matthew Corcoran
Chair of Trustees
Matt is a highly experienced IT consultant who is also passionate about supporting others, having volunteered for SeeAbility and MNDA before joining EPIC Restart’s Board of Trustees to champion our work helping individuals rebuild their lives after experiencing gambling harm. With a strong skill set in technology, Matt is ideally placed to support with EPIC Restart’s digital strategy, particularly in enhancing the user experience for those accessing our services.
“I’m thrilled to support the EPIC Restart Foundation as a Trustee. I hope that my expertise in IT will contribute to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”
Adam Barraclough
Trustee
Adam is Head of Food and Beverage for Ernst Young in the North. A Chartered accountant by trade Adam works predominantly in the M&A space for EY. Previously with William Jackson Food Group as head of corporate development and finance director of their Bakery business.
“I was introduced to Paul Buck by a mutual friend and was really blown away by his amazing life story. A close relative suffered from gambling addiction and Paul’s story helped me to make sense of what happened to that individual. I was delighted to be asked to be a trustee of the EPIC Restart Foundation where I know it will make a huge difference to many lives.”
Danielle Smith
Trustee
Danielle spent 12 years as an Army Officer, and has a background in law and HR. She has seen first hand the impact of gambling addiction from those around her. She is passionate about the work EPIC Restart Foundation undertakes and how it makes a difference in the most impactful way.
“I am amazed by the phenomenal work the EPIC Restart Foundation carry out and the genuine difference is makes to people lives. I am excited to be appointed to the board and look forward to working with the team going forward.’’
Kira Bradbeer
Trustee
Kira is a qualified Therapist with 20 years of experience of working across a range of addiction and talking therapies services. For 10 of those years, she has specialised in providing treatment and therapy to people who have suffered gambling harm and has felt privileged to be alongside people as they turn their lives around and build a gambling free future.
“As a Therapist, I know many people feel a huge sense of positivity and achievement when they begin to establish a gambling free life. However, the prospect of what comes next is often daunting and a bit scary, with people sometimes feeling lost about what comes next or lacking in confidence in their ability to cope with life’s challenges. This is why I am so happy to be joining the board of trustees and supporting the amazing work the EPIC Restart Foundation does in helping people to create a new life for themselves and learn how to thrive in their recovery.”
