After a career as a Lighting Engineer in the Theatre I moved to the Charity Sector in 2004.  In 2005 I was approached by Julie Stokes, Clinical Psychologist and Founder and The Duchess of Richmond & Gordon, President of the child bereavement charity Winston’s Wish to help open a West Sussex branch of the charity.  Winston’s Wish is a Charity for bereaved children founded in 1992 and was at that time offering direct support to families in Gloucestershire with National reach through its helpline.   West Sussex health professionals, social services and other providers had identified a clear need within the County for support and thus the second County branch was formed.  We were successful in opening the West Sussex branch and I became General Manager of Winston’s Wish in West Sussex, a member of the Senior Management Team of Winston’s Wish and Head of Major Donor Fundraising nationally. 

Until 2014 I was also a consultant to many other charities (including the Naval Children’s Charity: Royal Navy & Royal Marines Children’s Fund) helping them to develop their strategic plans particularly, in the case of smaller charities, with regard to their fundraising strategies.

In 2014 I joined the full-time staff at the Naval Children’s Charity: the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Children’s Fund and in May 2018 I was appointed as the Chief Executive.  Having developed and consolidated the team in 2019 we carried out a Strategic Review of the Children’s Fund and in 2020 we announced our name change to Naval Children’s Charity and our plans for the future, particularly leading up to our 200th anniversary in 2025. I am delighted to join the board of Children England, particularly to give a voice to the needs of the Service Child.