Meet Our Board

Anisa is a Trainee Solicitor at a local law firm. She has experience working with many different people and particularly advocating for young people. Anisa is passionate about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and in her own time tries to create avenues to promote this in various different workplaces.

Anisa has previously supported Karma Nirvana and has received training surrounding Honour Based Abuse and Forced Marriages, which she has tried to use widely within her own community to raise awareness and stimulate change. Anisa is still finding her feet but enjoys volunteering a lot and is excited to learn and figure out where she can assist and fit into the 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.

Hannah is a branding and marketing consultant with over 20 years of experience, starting her career with blue chip companies before transitioning to work independently. She now uses the skills and insights gained from the corporate world to help smaller businesses and organisations grow. Over the last seven years, Hannah has applied her expertise to support local charities like Next Chapter, and she is eager to contribute even further by volunteering on its trustee board.

A long-time advocate for women's rights, Hannah's passion for the cause has only deepened as the mother of three teenage daughters.

Lara first encountered The Next Chapter during a particularly difficult time for her family, and the support they received had a lasting impact. That experience inspired her to give back. She passionately believes that victims and survivors deserve safe homes, for their voices to be heard and believed, and to be supported to rebuild their lives following abuse.

After a 20-year corporate career, she founded a performance coaching and consultancy practice where she works with a range of individuals, teams, and organisations. She hopes to combine her lived experience and professional skills to support The Next Chapter to have an even broader impact.

Lyndsey is dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence. With over 20 years of experience in the VAWG sector, she was excited to join The Next Chapter's incredible team. She currently serves as a director for the NO MORE Foundation, a global organisation committed to ending domestic and sexual violence.

Before this role, she led the UK chapter of NO MORE, Everyone's Business.

Since joining The Next Chapter, Lyndsey has been impressed by the organisation's commitment to delivering trauma-informed, victim-centred services that are built on feminist values and principles.

Next Chapter hold a massive place in my heart as I, found myself in their Recovery Refuge in December 2020. With there encouragement and help I now find myself living a life that I love. I work for a Community Rehabilitation in Essex and I am an ambassador for Refuge in London.

I am passionate about helping people whenever possible and hope that my lived experience can highlight the unfortunate need for places like Next Chapter. They do an amazing job and I am an example of that.

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 Fellow 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.

With extensive experience in higher education and strategic leadership, I am delighted to be part of Next Chapter's incredible team. At Anglia Ruskin University London, I am part of the senior leadership team, focusing on supporting students to develop the skills and knowledge needed to secure successful and sustainable careers.

My background as an employability and careers consultant, personal development coach, and yoga teacher (in what spare time I have) reflects my commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

I am a passionate advocate for women's rights and the eradication of violence against women and girls, helping them change their circumstances and live free from violence. Since joining Next Chapter, I have been impressed by their commitment to trauma-informed, victim-centered services built on feminist values. I hope that, in a small way, my role as a trustee will make a positive contribution in in these areas.

Debs is the Chief Operating Officer at a Further Education College in Essex responsible for Finance and other corporate services including HR, Estates, Management information and an on-site Nursery. She qualified as a management accountant over 28 years ago and has experience of working in various organisations including commercial and not for profit before commencing at the College in 2013. Debs has a passion for health and wellbeing, and values her time away from the office taking part in structured gym session, running and walking her dog Bertie (a girl cocker spaniel). In becoming the Treasurer at The Next Chapter, she hopes to be able to add value to the work this amazing charity already does.

I was drawn to The Next Chapter through personal experience, having seen firsthand the impact of safe, compassionate support during times of upheaval. That belief in the power of trust and emotional safety has shaped my professional and personal journey. After more than 20 years in investment management—including serving as Chief Operating Officer at a global firm—I founded a transformation consultancy to help organisations lead change with clarity and care. I’m passionate about sharing the skills I’ve developed over the years to support others navigating complexity. The Next Chapter embodies the kind of space where voices are heard, trust is built, and transformation becomes possible.

Loulou has over 20 years of experience working with people at risk. While most of this has been gained internationally as a professional aid worker deployed to Asia, Africa and the Middle East, her early career in the UK included a period as a domestic abuse advisor supporting high-risk women and children, community development work with constituents in underserved communities, and extensive primary research on what works in gang violence prevention and intervention for the Mayor of London.  Her recent roles have included regional and global positions overseeing Education programmes across the Global South for international charities, and more recently, as a safeguarding expert.

She came to The Next Chapter as a grateful and impressed service user, and offers both professional and personal commitment to ensuring the organisation's continuity and integrity.