I joined New Directions as the charity’s Chief Executive Officer in November 2019 having previously been Chief Executive of Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action.
My career within the voluntary sector started 25 years ago when I took on the role of a volunteer live-in personal assistant to a man who was Tetraplegic and living in Birmingham. This led to me working as a Personal Assistant for the Spinal Injuries Association in a variety of countries worldwide. These experiences opened my eyes to the world of Disability Rights and the Independent Living Movement, spurring me on to attain a Social Work degree at Coventry University,
Upon graduating, I worked for the Council of Disabled People Warwickshire and Coventry for seven years managing advocacy and direct payment support services. I have a wealth of experience gained within the voluntary sector which I have called upon to help advance the establishment and success of multiple charities and groups in the area as well as building connections across sectors, working as a Peer Reviewer for the Local Government Association and chairing multiple partnerships.
I have personal experience of disability within my family as my niece Chloe has a profound and complex disability and in 2017 she gave her first TED Talk. I have lived in Rugby for the last two decades and have a passion for inclusion which I am so proud and privileged to be able to develop within this amazing local charity.
