Executive Chairman, Local Giving
Marcelle Speller is the founder of both Localgiving and the Localgiving Foundation. Marcelle graduated with a BSc in Environmental Sciences from the University of East Anglia, before going on to gain more than 10 years experience within leading advertising agencies in London and Amsterdam. She has an MBA from INSEAD and has held various Director and Board-level marketing positions with several multinational companies.
In 1996, Marcelle co-founded Holiday-Rentals.com, Europe’s leading website for advertising private holiday homes. When the company was sold, she attended a workshop at the Institute for Philanthropy, and was inspired to found Localgiving.
In 2011, Marcelle was awarded an OBE for her services to the voluntary sector, in 2013 was awarded a Beacon Fellowship for Pioneering Philanthropy and was named Philanthropist of the Year at the Spear’s Wealth Management Awards. In 2014 she received an honorary DCL (Hons) from the University of East Anglia.
Marcelle is also a Director and Trustee of New Philanthropy Capital and a recognised spokesperson for TV, radio and print media for comment on philanthropy issues and how they affect small, local charities and community groups. She has contributed numerous essays and opinion pieces to major publications, including the Cabinet Office’s Giving Green Paper, The Times, The Guardian, Spear’s Magazine and The Economist.