Meet the Exec team

My role has overall responsibility for delivering Young Epilepsy’s strategy. I lead the executive team and I am accountable to the Board of Trustees.

We are a values-driven and rights-based charity. We believe that children and young people should be at the centre of everything we do and their best
interests come first. I am so proud of the work the charity does with children and young people, through our Voice and Support work, Health and Research and of course the specialist education provision of St Piers Residential School and College.

It is most important to me that we are a listening and supportive organisation. That means first and foremost listening to young people and creating a platform to help their voice be heard and taken seriously by wider society but also listening to our amazing staff and partners - harnessing their ideas for how we can continuously improve our work and impact.

I started my management career working in the health service, managing large hospitals, which was stressful at times but also rewarding and I have huge respect for NHS staff. Over most the last ten years I have worked in the children’s charity sector, where again I am inspired on a daily basis by the care and dedication of so many people I meet and have the privilege to work alongside. I chose a career in leadership because I want to help those people make a difference to the lives of others and society at large. I guess my family might say it is also because I’m naturally a bit “bossy” but I couldn’t possibly comment!

Simone's biography will be shared shortly.

My role is to ensure we win the support of the public to fund the vital work we need to do, to create a society that understands epilepsy and allows children to thrive. I started my career in commercial retail, but I’ve been a fundraiser for nearly 20 years now, in a number of different children’s and
health charities. I love that every day I get to work with incredible supporters, inspiring young people and a team of wonderful staff who are all helping to make the world a better place for young people with epilepsy.

At school I was quite musical and loved acting. I think the performer in me led to where I am today; I always have lots to say about Young Epilepsy and love a captive audience!

Young Epilepsy is a Charity that has been going for over 125 years. Within that time we have helped thousands of children and young people improve their lives and reach their full potential. It is important that we continue to do this for at least another 125 years. To help us get there we need to be financially secure with sufficient funds that will see us through. My role is to ensure this happens.

I also look after our facilities and maintenance function and IT. We have a fantastic estate at St Piers with buildings from every decade of our history. Keeping these and our wonderful grounds in the best possible state for our residents and for our staff is key for us. Likewise on the IT side, we must
have systems and kit in place that work, and work well.

I am a Chartered Accountant, who after qualifying with KPMG spent over fifteen years in the commercial sector. I then moved into the not-for-profit sector and haven’t looked back since. Knowing I am making difference to individuals’ lives is what really drives me.

My role has responsibility for the people strategy across Young Epilepsy and St Piers which includes employee wellbeing, engagement, diversity, inclusion and all the people processes that help our amazing teams put young people at the centre of everything we do.

I moved into HR so that I can influence policy and procedure and coach and develop others to help ensure that people in the workplace are treated fairly and honestly with compassion and kindness. I worked regionally in retail and wholesale across the south of England before joining the not for
profit sector nearly 10 years ago.

What I most enjoy about my job is the incredible people I meet along the way. I grew up as an older child in a large, busy family so have a strong sense of responsibility and a great sense of humour. I love to listen to the stories that people tell.