“Dear Gillian, I wish to compliment you on the astounding success of your hard and skillful work. It is the well-deserved pinnacle of your admirable perseverance. I wish you with my whole heart good health, true happiness and continued success.”
Miep Gies, helper of the Frank family in hiding, writing in 2008 at age 99
“I’m grateful that you were able to speak at the Clinton Presidential Center, and for the good work you’re doing to share Anne’s wisdom in new ways – the lessons of her life are as important as ever. You have my best wishes.”
President Bill Clinton, February 2020
“In her wisdom, Gillian, the realist, will not bow to the principles of reality, or, more accurately, of realpolitik. Not if they should stand between her and any one of her objectives, like founding the Anne Frank Trust UK in 1990 from her kitchen table, for instance. Or authoring a declaration against hate and ignorance, then boldly seeking–and obtaining–endorsements from the most powerful and influential people in the world. Or conceiving, designing, and launching a comprehensive confidence-building educational program for schoolchildren in undeserved communities throughout the UK. The things that cannot be, she simply makes them so.”
Howell Malham Jr, Founder & Director, GreenHouse Innovation
“I would like to thank Gillian for all her hard work and for being the one to have included Stephen’s story into education about Anne Frank. It is because of her that children who visit the Anne Frank exhibition also see and hear Stephen’s story.”
Baroness Doreen Lawrence OBE
“I was once asked at a leadership conference to ‘name a person who inspires you’. I named Gillian for the work she had done setting up the Anne Frank Trust UK and creating such an impactful, important charity and influencing so many people to support the cause. I was always impressed hearing Gillian speak and watching her develop and grow her organisation. I worked with Gillian when I was a Director at The Prince’s Trust and starting out in my work in the charity sector. Gillian provided support and guidance then which continued as I moved to Save the Children and then into my first CEO role at Beanstalk. Her advice, coaching and wealth of experience has supported me to be where I am today.”
Ginny Lunn, Chief Executive Officer, Beanstalk
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your visit to the Royal Hospital School yesterday and for delivering such an eloquent, thought-provoking, and deeply moving talk. Your insights into Anne Frank’s legacy and the importance of challenging prejudice resonated powerfully with our pupils and staff alike.
As we reflected on Holocaust Memorial Day, your words served as a timely and powerful reminder of the role we all play in fostering a more tolerant and understanding world. It was indeed a privilege to have you with us, and I know that many in our community will carry your message forward.”
Irfan H Latif, Head Teacher, Royal Hospital School, Ipswich, January 2025
“Congratulations on your many accomplishments during your time with the Anne Frank Trust UK. Your method of engaging students is certainly very powerful. You are welcome to contact districts directly about your method.”
Ann M Whitney, Florida Director of Educational Standards
“The Anne Frank Trust under Gillian’s extraordinary leadership has been one of the most pioneering organisations involved in Holocaust education in the UK in recent years. In having the vision to use Holocaust education in this way, and to make it something of relevance for communities right across the country, Gillian deserves enormous personal credit. It was my privilege and pleasure to work with her over many years, and I wish her all the best in her future endeavours.”
Lord Pickles, UK Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues, Foreign & Commonwealth Office
