Anithra Wagiswara
Hounslow,London
Summary
Operations professional specialising in delivering youth-engagement events across London, with strong appreciation of local communities and commitment to widening access. Skilled in coordinating multi-stakeholder logistics, managing freelancers and ensuring safe, inclusive, valuable participant experience. Excellent organisational ability and a creative background with lived experience in Peckham.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work history
Assistant to the Director
Heritage of London Trust (HOLT)
2025.03 - 2026.05
- Coordinated logistics and delivery for heritage project unveilings, supporter events, community programmes and the annual conference, ensuring activity was well planned, inclusive and safely delivered.
- Managed stakeholder relationships with schools, community groups, local authorities, contractors, donors and partners, acting as a key point of contact for project activity.
- Conducted donor and funder prospect research for the Head of Philanthropy and supported communications, follow-up and stewardship.
- Maintained accurate CRM records on eTapestry, tracking event attendance, donations and engagement to support monitoring and reporting.
- Oversaw operational processes including inbox management, travel and meeting coordination, board papers, data handling and internal communications.
- Ensured safeguarding, confidentiality and compliance across events and project activity, including risk-aware planning and operational documentation.
- Contributed to a collaborative, supportive team culture in a small, high-pressure organisation and organised internal skills-sharing sessions.
Operations Assistant
First Story
2022.08 - 2025.03
- Programme & Event Delivery
- Coordinated large-scale youth and alumni events including the Young Writers Festival (300+ attendees), regional Connect events and Writer Skills Share conference; supported fundraising events at Clarence House and the ICA.
- Managed delivery of national writing competitions, school liaison, prize distribution and event logistics.
- Supported in-house work placements, ensuring safe supervision and positive participant experience.
- Stakeholder & Community Engagement
- Built relationships with schools, teachers, donors, trustees, volunteers, alumni, editors and cultural partners; attended anthology launches and school site visits.
- Secured 600+ donated books and stationery items annually to support programme access.
- Safeguarding, Youth Work & Compliance
- Logged and managed 900+ student consent forms annually; ensured safeguarding compliance and accurate data capture.
- Processed 80+ freelance writer contracts each year, including DBS checks, safeguarding training and onboarding.
- Operational & Administrative Management
- Updated Salesforce CRM, created school/donor reports, automated workflows, produced mail merges, and maintained WordPress pages and Mailchimp communications.
- Managed shared calendars, inboxes, travel, catering, meeting scheduling, agendas, minutes and office resources.
- Finance & Budget Support
- Processed invoices, monitored project budgets and donations, reconciled transactions, issued payments, handled petty cash, deposited cheques and supported Gift Aid administration.
- Process Improvement
- Streamlined safeguarding workflows by implementing the DBS Update Service, resolving consent discrepancies and improving school communication processes.
Team Assistant
Hobbledown Heath
2022.06 - 2022.08
- Supported visitor operations and customer experience during the launch phase of a major family attraction.
Production Assistant, Assistant Crew
Angels Costumes, Crystal Maze Live
2019.01 - 2019.01
- 2017–2018 Designer/Wardrobe Assistant on selected theatre and film projects (Stockwell Playhouse, London Film School, Platform Theatre)
Education
MA - Publishing
London College of Communication, UAL
BA - Performance: Design and Practice
Central Saint Martins, UAL
INTERESTS
Community arts, Creative writing, Cultural engagement, Museums and heritage, Theatre, Youth participation
Custom
- Participation & Community Engagement
- Programme & Event Delivery
- Safeguarding & Compliance
- Freelancer Coordination
- Operational Management
- Stakeholder Relationships
- CRM & Data
- Budget Support
- WordPress
- Mailchimp
- Canva
- InDesign
- Salesforce
- Xero
- Microsoft Office
Affiliations
- • Community arts • Creative writing • Cultural engagement • Museums and heritage • Theatre • Youth participation
Timeline
Assistant to the Director
Heritage of London Trust (HOLT)
2025.03 - 2026.05
Operations Assistant
First Story
2022.08 - 2025.03
Team Assistant
Hobbledown Heath
2022.06 - 2022.08
Production Assistant, Assistant Crew
Angels Costumes, Crystal Maze Live
2019.01 - 2019.01
BA - Performance: Design and Practice
Central Saint Martins, UAL
MA - Publishing
London College of Communication, UAL