Experience

Jesuit Refugee Service UK (JRS UK)

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director

  • Jan 2016 - Present

  I am the Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service UK -- a charity based in the East end of London supporting destitute asylum seekers and those held in immigration detention. We provide a whole range of services, from hardship funds, to immigration legal advice, casework, housing through hosting and a women's house, activity programmes and more besides. We also undertake policy communications and advocacy alongside refugees to raise awareness of their situation and argue for a change in the unjust systems that leave people marginalised and excluded. Show less



Barts Health NHS Trust

• United Kingdom
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Associate Non Executive Director

  • Sep 2022 - Present

  I serve on the Board of Barts NHS Trust -- a large group of hospitals in East London. I am a maternity safety champion for the Board, sit on the Quality Assurance Committee and an advisory Board for the Whipps Cross Hospital Redevelopment I serve on the Board of Barts NHS Trust -- a large group of hospitals in East London. I am a maternity safety champion for the Board, sit on the Quality Assurance Committee and an advisory Board for the Whipps Cross Hospital Redevelopment



Jesuit Refugee Service UK

• Director

  • Jan 2016 - Present



Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN)

• Romero House, London, SE1 7JB

• Member Board of Trustees

  • May 2014 - Jan 2018



Cardinal Hume Centre

• United Kingdom
• Philanthropic Fundraising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Member Board of Trustees

  • Jul 2014 - Jun 2016

  Have also served on the Board Finance Conmittee and was previously also a Patron for the Centre

• Patron

  • Oct 2013 - Jan 2016



Refugee Education UK

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Member of Advisory Board

  • Jan 2014 - Jan 2016



Jesuit Refugee Service

• Italy
• Non-profit Organizations
• 500 - 600 Employee

• International Advocacy Consultant

  • Jun 2015 - Dec 2015

  Working as part of the international advocacy team at JRS, on the present situation in Europe and on issues relating to access to education for refugees in Lebanon and South Sudan. My contract with JRS international runs until Christmas. Working as part of the international advocacy team at JRS, on the present situation in Europe and on issues relating to access to education for refugees in Lebanon and South Sudan. My contract with JRS international runs until Christmas.



House of Commons

• United Kingdom
• Political Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Member of Parliament

  • Sep 2003 - May 2015

  Chair the All Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees. Member of Joint Committee on Human Rights (select committee of House of Lords and Commons)Chaired parliamentary inquiry into the use of immigration detention - report published March 2015Chaired an all party inquiry supported by the Children's Society looking at the treatment of children and young people in the asylum process - report published spring 2013. Served on an all party inquiry reviewing the new family visa system - report published summer 2013Served on an all party panel looking at the working of the youth courts.Treasurer of All Party Parliamentary Group on Britain-Palestine until 2015. Show less

• Member of Parliament

  • Sep 2003 - Apr 2010



Silver Star Appeal

• Patron

  • 2009 - Mar 2015



Department for Education

• Minister of State for Children and Families

  • May 2010 - Sep 2012

  Responsibility for early years, special educational needs, child rights, child poverty and family policy. Led work to reform the system of support for children with SEND and their families; negotiated the end of detention of children in the immigration system; led work to combat sexualisation and commercialisation of childhood; worked collaboratively with early years sector to reform the curriculum; published the first UK-wide child poverty strategy. Responsibility for early years, special educational needs, child rights, child poverty and family policy. Led work to reform the system of support for children with SEND and their families; negotiated the end of detention of children in the immigration system; led work to combat sexualisation and commercialisation of childhood; worked collaboratively with early years sector to reform the curriculum; published the first UK-wide child poverty strategy.



Macmillan Cancer Support

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Policy Analyst

  • Jun 2002 - Sep 2003



Technopolis Group

• United Kingdom
• Public Policy Offices
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Policy Analyst

  • 2001 - 2002



The Royal Society

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Science Policy Officer

  • 1998 - 2001