Mitesh Patel, Trustee, Oxfam GB

Mitesh Patel joined Oxfam GB as a Trustee in November 2022. He is an entrepreneur with significant executive-level experience in large retail groups.

Mitesh is the co-founder of Lenstore and developed the business from a broom cupboard above his parents' shop into one of Europe's largest online optical retailers. He was a member of the Vision Express Executive Team, and at the age of 35 became the youngest member of the GrandVision Global Management Team - at the time the world's largest optical group.

He brings plenty of non-executive and charity experience, having previously been a non-executive director at Pizza Hut Restaurants, a member of the Companies Committee at the General Optical Council, and a Trustee of DePaul UK - the youth homelessness charity where he was also Chair of the DePaul Trading Company.

Mitesh lives in London with his wife, three children and two dogs. His hobbies include creative writing, village cricket and visiting Oxfam shops in search of a bargain.