Our team for charities
Our investment managers are passionate about what they do. Many of the team are involved with charities outside work and are trustees themselves.
You can view a list of our charity investment management team below. For contacts in our regional offices, please select your nearest office location.
James Ayre
Head of Investments, Charities
James Ayre
Head of Investments, Charities
London
James joined Rathbones in 2023 as Head of Investments, Charities, following his previous role as Co-Head of Investments at CCLA Investment Management, where he was responsible for the management of their multi-asset and global equity funds.
James has a BA in History from Leicester University, is a Chartered Fellow of the CISI (FCSI) and holds a Certificate in Business Accounting.
James joined Rathbones in 2023 as Head of Investments, Charities, following his previous role as Co-Head of Investments at CCLA Investment Management, where he was responsible for the management of their multi-asset and global equity funds.
James has a BA in History from Leicester University, is a Chartered Fellow of the CISI (FCSI) and holds a Certificate in Business Accounting.
Gemma Gooch
Head of Charities Distribution
Gemma Gooch
Head of Charities Distribution
London
Gemma joined Rathbones as Head of Charities Distribution in February 2025.
She was previously Co-Head of Global Social Impact at BlackRock and Co-President of The BlackRock Foundation where she led on strategic philanthropic partnerships in financial security and sustainability. Gemma was formerly Head of BlackRock’s dedicated Charities & Endowments Team, a leading institutional non-profit investment manager. Prior to joining BlackRock in 2016, she was a Partner at NewSmith Asset Management responsible for marketing and business development. She started her career as an Analyst at Merrill Lynch Investment Managers.
Gemma holds an MA degree in Geography from St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. She has been a Trustee of The Girls’ Network Charity, a school Community Governor and volunteers as a Funding Panellist with The Fore and Mentor with the King’s Trust.
Gemma joined Rathbones as Head of Charities Distribution in February 2025.
She was previously Co-Head of Global Social Impact at BlackRock and Co-President of The BlackRock Foundation where she led on strategic philanthropic partnerships in financial security and sustainability. Gemma was formerly Head of BlackRock’s dedicated Charities & Endowments Team, a leading institutional non-profit investment manager. Prior to joining BlackRock in 2016, she was a Partner at NewSmith Asset Management responsible for marketing and business development. She started her career as an Analyst at Merrill Lynch Investment Managers.
Gemma holds an MA degree in Geography from St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. She has been a Trustee of The Girls’ Network Charity, a school Community Governor and volunteers as a Funding Panellist with The Fore and Mentor with the King’s Trust.
Natalie Yapp
Business Development Director, Charities
Natalie Yapp
Business Development Director, Charities
London
Natalie joined Rathbones in 2020 as head of business development, charities, following her previous role as business development manager at Brewin Dolphin. Natalie has also worked at Heartwood Investment Management and specialises in charities, trust and other not-for-profit organisations.
Natalie is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and a member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments (CISI). She holds a master's degree in Drama and Movement Therapy and achieved the Investment Management Certificate in 2016. She also holds an MBA from Cranfield School of Management. Natalie is also an ambassador for Girls are Investors and a Girl Guiding leader.
Natalie joined Rathbones in 2020 as head of business development, charities, following her previous role as business development manager at Brewin Dolphin. Natalie has also worked at Heartwood Investment Management and specialises in charities, trust and other not-for-profit organisations.
Natalie is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and a member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments (CISI). She holds a master's degree in Drama and Movement Therapy and achieved the Investment Management Certificate in 2016. She also holds an MBA from Cranfield School of Management. Natalie is also an ambassador for Girls are Investors and a Girl Guiding leader.