About

Who we are

E-libraries for Schools is run by a dedicated team of trustees and volunteers, working with schools across the UK

Our Mission Statement

For the public benefit, to advance the education of children in the UK by improving access to books through the supply of funded eLibrary services to schools and their pupils with the objective of:

  1. levelling up such access to books across geographical areas and socioeconomic groups.
  2. supporting learning to read, reading for pleasure and reading for the curriculum.
  3. achieving improvements in educational outcomes and social mobility.

Our team

Bridget Martindale

Bridget Martindale is the co-founder and CEO of ELFS. She designed and built the search engine that sits behind TheBookSeekers, the discovery platform for children’s books which will front ELFS. Before children, Bridget had a career as a professional economist

Ian Shepherd

Ian Shepherd is the co-founder of ELFS, and the chair of the ELFS trustee board. Professionally, Ian has had a 30 year career in retail, technology and hospitality businesses: he is currently the Chair of a national retailer and has been CEO, COO and CMO of major UK brands, including Sky, Vodafone and Game.

Cara Shepherd

Cara is an ELFS Intern, responsible for data processing and working with our pilot schools.

Our Board of Trustees

In addition to Bridget as CEO and Ian as Chair, ELFS has 3 independent trustees overseeing the strategy and governance of the organisation. 

Jane Redley

Jane is an ex-English teacher and lifelong reader who feels strongly about the power of books. She works now as a debt advisor, and has witnessed just how tight the budget can be in many households where books are a luxury. Jane takes particular responsibility for safeguarding on the ELFS Board

Damien D'Souza

Damien is recently retired after an international career in sales and marketing with Apple, BlackBerry and BT.

Steve Warde

Steve’s career has been in marketing and management for high tech software companies focused on research and education in Cambridge’s ‘Silicon Fen’. He also has experience as a city councillor and as chair of trustees for a charity providing support to young people.

Our Details

ELFS is a UK registered charity, number 1205723.

You can contact us through any of our team members or by emailing [email protected]

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