Meet Our Board

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Board of Trustees

The Next Chapter Board of Trustees is responsible for setting the strategic direction, ensuring that the charity complies with all its legal and regulatory requirements and that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard.  We strive to ensure that the diversity of the Board reflects representation from as many sectors as possible including housing, family law, childrens services, health & wellbeing as well as communications, marketing, legal and financial expertise, and equality and diversity professionals.  In accordance with our Women's Aid membership, our board has a majority of women holding Trustee roles, with the key roles of Chair and Vice Chair being held by women.  As Next Chapter is a Charitable Company, board members are both Directors and Trustees of the Company.

Cate Cussell - Chair of Trustee Board

Cate is a property solicitor and partner in a local law firm.  She qualified as a solicitor in 2014 and was made partner in 2016.  During her time as a solicitor Cate has enjoyed learning more about the local area and community through the work she does with the firm. Cate has also made strong links with local businesses and community interests alike.

Outside of work Cate lives with her husband and cockerpoo Ruby, who all enjoy trips to the beach.  Cate is also a trustee for a local homeless charity and is passionate about local issues so was very excited to be approached about an opportunity on the board with Next Chapter.

If you wish to get in contact with the chair of the board, please email Chair.Trustee@thenextchapter.org.uk

Kay Caldwell

Kay has held senior leadership and non-executive director roles in organisations spanning the local government, regeneration and housing association sectors.

Kay is passionate about the importance of providing excellent, people-centred services and values the importance of releasing the latent talent that exists within every individual, irrespective of their circumstances.

Her interests include sailing, spending time with family and friends and long walks with Lotti, her smooth fox terrier.

Kay is excited to be working with the members of the Next Chapter who are all highly effective and as motivated as she is to make Next Chapter a success.

Rue Garande

Rue is a housing professional with a passion for ending violence against women and girls.

Born and raised in Zimbabwe Southern Africa. Rue has built a career in housing with a diversity of service users to include street homeless, youth services, immigration and community empowerment.  

Rue has a particular interest in partnership working, ensuring different organisations work together to provide excellent, integrated services for the community.

As a domestic abuse survivor Rue’s relationship with Next Chapter began when she sought shelter many years ago in one of our schemes this is  where her passion for helping women was born.

Her journey within the service brings a unique survivor experience and influence to the team.

Rue lives with her partner and daughter, runs a thriving hair and beauty business that caters to all hair and skin types.

Sandra Maguire

Sandra is a Housing Professional with a passionate sense of purpose and a tremendous appetite for customer excellence and continuous improvement. She is also Co-Chair for Women in Social Housing (WISH) in the East Region, creating excellent networking opportunities for new and established professionals. As a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) she is a trusted professional with extensive housing experience and a commitment to ethical standards. Sandra is also a Committee Member for the CIH Professional Standards Committee, which is delegated board within the CIH’s governance structure.

Sandra is passionate about people being able to create a future that enables them to realise their purpose and calling.

Sarah Taylor

Building on 25 years in local government and emergency services, Sarah combines two passions with her board membership – public service and organisational transformation.

As Head of ICT for Essex Fire and Rescue, Sarah brings comprehensive experience of IT and data management, leadership and culture change.  Putting people at the heart of any technology solution, she believes that making the most of information technology comes from educating and empowering, not enforcing.

Sarah’s mantra is be kind, to others and yourself.  Everyone has experienced adversity at some time in their lives, and when we come out the other side, we can hold onto what we learnt along the way, to help both others and ourselves. Valuing inclusion and equal opportunities, Sarah recognised that in order to thrive, you have to grab the little chances to make a change.  Be the change you want to see.  Sometimes it doesn’t feel like it’s possible but take the first step; reach out to those who can support you and let them help you find a way.

Mum to 3 (now) adults and grandmother to 1 special little girl, Sarah enjoys singing in a local choir and a small vocal harmony group.  It’s just for fun – Britain’s Got Talent isn’t calling – but there’s strength in numbers and it’s a great example of how you can achieve so much more working with others than you would dare to do alone.

Sharon Stephens

Having found herself made redundant at the end of 2019 Sharon was very keen to pursue some voluntary work and joining the Next Chapter Board of Trustees as Treasurer fit the bill perfectly!

Sharon has a wealth of financial experience gained from working in central and local government at an operational and strategic level, a career she is very proud of. Sharon feels this experience can add real value to the Board of Trustees who collectively have a huge amount of varying experience and strengths, making for a great Board!

Sharon is a mum to 2 who are now all grown up and amazing adults and 1 adorable granddaughter! Sharon loves most sports and she can be seen jogging around Colchester, is partial to playing badminton or doing a Body Combat class at the gym!