Meet Our Board

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.

Anisa - Vice Chair

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

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

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

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

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.

Ruth

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

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.