Jessica Cox

An experienced grant funding manager with a background in delivering community-centred, equity-focused funding programmes. My work spans grant distribution, project management, contract management and stakeholder engagement, with a particular focus on supporting grassroots and marginalised communities. I’ve managed multiple complex funding portfolios simultaneously - from design and due diligence through to delivery, evaluation and learning. I’m skilled at coordinating diverse partners, adapting programmes in real time and creating processes that are inclusive, accessible and culturally responsive. Above all, I’m passionate about social change and reducing inequality. I care deeply about removing barriers for community groups, amplifying lived experience and helping organisations create meaningful, lasting impact.

I am an accomplished programmes and funding leader with deep expertise in designing and delivering high-impact, multi-year grant portfolios across health, wellbeing and social justice sectors. My career has centred on shaping strategic funding models, guiding complex programme delivery and driving system-level change through evidence, innovation and strong cross-sector partnerships.

I am an expert in end-to-end grant making - from fund design and assessment processes to risk management, governance, contracting, monitoring and strategic learning. I have led major national programmes, including GambleAware’s flagship Community Resilience Fund and System Stabilisation Fund, overseeing multimillion-pound investments that strengthen organisational capacity, expand service reach and support underserved communities. My leadership is grounded in an adaptive, test-and-learn approach that enables early-stage innovation and responsive programme refinement.

I am an experienced collaborator, working with charities, research bodies, government stakeholders, lived-experience networks and evaluation teams to deliver funding portfolios that are equitable, purpose-led and operationally robust. I am known for building trusted, strategic relationships and for fostering cultures of learning, accountability and inclusive practice.

I bring strong analytical capability and substantial experience steering evaluation and insight strategies. Working with external evaluators, I set learning priorities, shape evaluation frameworks and ensure evidence meaningfully informs decision-making and future investment. My approach is both strategic and pragmatic - balancing rigour with flexibility to generate actionable insight.

I am committed to funding that drives real-world impact, reduces structural inequality and empowers communities. Across my career, I have combined strategic vision with hands-on operational delivery, enabling organisations to deliver complex programmes that are innovative, scalable and grounded in the lived realities of those they support.

I am academically grounded in political, social and historical systems, holding a Master’s in Politics and International Relations and a BA in History from Queen Mary University of London.

I am trained in rigorous research, critical analysis and evidence interpretation — foundations that underpin my strategic, insight-led approach to programme and funding work.
I am committed to equity and social justice, reflected in my progression into postgraduate study in Decolonising Society and Politics at the University of Aberdeen.

I am driven by learning that strengthens inclusive, culturally responsive practice and informs values-led decision-making across complex funding and programme environments.