Board of Trustees
Meet the Board
Our Trustees ensure that VODG has a clear strategy, and that its work and goals align with its vision. Another way of describing this is that Trustees are the ‘guardians of purpose’ of the charity, ensuring that all decisions put the needs of the beneficiaries first. They safeguard the charity’s assets – both physical assets and intangible ones, such as its reputation. Their job is to ensure these are used well, and that the charity is run sustainably.
Naomi Dickson (Trustee)
I have extensive experience of the voluntary sector, having occupied senior leadership roles for a variety of charities, including eight years as Chief Executive of Jewish Women’s Aid (JWA), the community charity that supports Jewish women affected by domestic and/or sexual violence. Having significantly raised the organisation’s profile, I was recognised as one of the BBC’s 100 Women in 2020.
I have also served as a trustee for the Women’s Aid Federation of England and for Home-Start UK and currently for the Cavell Nurses’ Trust.
With public funding under so much pressure, organisations like Norwood and its many partners in the sector are having to step in to support vulnerable people, either in lieu of available publicly-funded services, or where people are struggling to access support when faced with an extremely long wait for a diagnosis.
VODG has an essential role to play in amplifying the voices of our colleagues in the sector and those we support, keeping them firmly in the news agenda and holding the government and other agencies to account in working collaboratively with us and adopting decisive and purposeful recommendations that can help ease the crisis facing adult social care and make lasting and impactful change a reality.
Naomi is currently Chief Executive at Norwood, implementing a dynamic agenda designed to fill the gaps in local authority provision and government funding in Norwood’s capacity as the UK’s oldest Jewish charity, supporting neurodiverse children and their families and people of all ages with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Chris Hampson (Trustee)
Chris’s career spans over 25 years in the housing sector, most recently with Look Ahead. A key priority in recent years has been to strengthen the links between health, social care and housing, both within Look Ahead’s services and more widely across the sector.
Chris recognises the need for VODG’s support and influence, to and for members, during these times of political, policy and economic challenge, and welcomes the opportunity to play a part in this. He recognises the immense value of the space VODG provides for constructive conversations, healthy debate and collective problem-solving. Chris especially recognises the value of the variety of member organisations and the open and transparent way in which information is shared for collective benefit.
Chris is Chief Executive at Look Ahead, a specialist supported housing association that provides care, support and accommodation services across London and the Southeast. He also holds a number of non-executive roles, including Southern Housing, NHS Mental Health Confederation, as Chair of the Mental Health and Housing Group, and GreenSquareAccord.
John Heritage (Chair)
John is an experienced leader with over 20 years’ experience in the voluntary sector and the NHS, working in operations, commercial and business development roles delivering mental health, learning disability and community services.
John is a strong advocate of the unique and pivotal role that VODG plays advocating for and representing the views of providers of services for disabled people, and the people those organisations support. He recognises the increasingly important role that VODG provides in collectively working together to ensure that the views and needs of disabled people are protected and highlighted with policy makers at all levels.
John is Chief Executive at David Lewis, a provider of services to people with epilepsy, learning disabilities, autism and other complex support needs.
Azra Kirkby (Treasurer)
Azra is a Chartered Accountant who began her career at Price Waterhouse before gaining a breadth of experience in blue chip commercial housing before joining the charitable social care sector in 2004. Azra brings a strong commercial finance background and experience as CFO and CEO from within the social care sector. Supporting York Museums Trust within their Audit and Risk Committee, Azra has also undertaken the role of Treasurer within a number of smaller charities.
Azra is a strong advocate of VODG and has worked within the Finance Directors’ Professional Network in recent years. Believing in collaboration and the strength of a united VODG, Azra hopes that together we can provide a greater impact for the social care sector and, with improved insight on social care provider issues, collectively use VODG to create more awareness of the challenges, including access to adequate housing provision.
Azra is Chief Executive at St Anne’s Community Services, a North East based registered charity and housing association that provides support to people with learning disabilities and mental health needs, in addition to community-based services including Shared Lives, homelessness and those requiring substance rehabilitation.
Jo Land (Trustee)
Jo began her career as an HR professional in the private sector, before seeking a role where values are acknowledged as more important than driving profit. Having moved to the voluntary sector over twenty years ago, she is now an experienced senior leader in social care.
Jo cares passionately about the sector and believes that, collectively, we can achieve great things for the people we support and their families, the people we employ and for the wider communities in which we operate, and that, as providers, our reach and influence is underestimated.
As a member of the VODG board Jo will contribute to raising the profile of the sector and influencing policy, research and decision making at all levels, along with providing support to others to share knowledge, intelligence and experience.
Jo is Chief Executive of Avenues Group, a specialist provider of support services to people with learning disabilities, autism and acquired brain injury. She also sits as a Non-Legal Member of the Employment Tribunal service.
Anna Lewis (Trustee)
Anna has worked in social care for over 25 years in both the statutory and voluntary sectors, and has been heavily involved in the personalisation agenda, ensuring that coproduction is at the heart of services and support. As part of her career, Anna also worked for a national membership organisation that supported members to come together with a unified voice.
Anna brings lived experience to the board as the parent of a child with additional needs. She is a passionate about the difference a membership organisation can make, especially in areas that influence change.
Anna intends to use her skills and experience to help VODG be the best that it can be, as we collectively work towards a better future for disabled people.
Anna is Chief Executive at Centre 404, a charity that offers friendly, reliable and person centred support to people with learning disabilities, autism and their families, operating across 8 London Boroughs.
Angela Murphy (Trustee)
With over 30 years of experience in health and social care, and as the Chief Executive of a large national charity, I bring a wealth of expertise in local government, healthcare, and fundraising to the Board. I am also privileged to serve as the Chair of Love4Life, a friendship and dating network, and as the Company Secretary for FitzRoy, which supports over 900 individuals with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs to lead independent lives across various care settings.
I am thrilled to join the board at such a pivotal moment for social care. It is crucial that we work collaboratively to ensure the best outcomes for the most vulnerable members of our society. Achieving this requires innovation, creativity, and a steadfast commitment to putting the individuals we support at the centre of everything we do across all our organisations.
Angela is Chief Executive of FitzRoy, a charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs.
Meet the Team
Meet the VODG Team
Our staff have a shared, genuine desire to champion our members and the people they support. Their hard work and dedication is our organisation’s strength. Our Senior Leadership Team ensures the direction and strategy set by our Board of Trustees is implemented effectively for the benefit of our members
Sophie Baldwin
Sophie joined VODG as the Business and Operations Coordinator.
Sophie has a background in Events and Marketing, which is an industry that has taken her around the world. The main bulk of her career has been within membership organisations, actively working hard to ensure that individuals from all backgrounds have the same opportunities in their personal lives as well as in the workplace. Sophie is a champion for underrepresented groups in society & her desire to advocate for those from the LGBT+ community, ethnic minorities and those with disabilities assist her greatly in her role at VODG.
Sophie has previously worked at everywoman, INvolve People, Disability Employment Australia and most recently Surrey Youth Focus.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Zack Davies
Zack has worked in the Policy and Public Affairs landscape for over 7 years. Notably Zack spent 2 years working for multiple Members of Parliament on a variety of politically important projects. Besides his time in Parliament, Zack has worked for The Pensions Regulator in their Parliamentary Affairs team, the Hertfordshire Police Commissioner's Office in their policy unit, and for a number of membership associations in the financial sectors.
Zack has a Law Degree from the University of Leeds and hosts a history podcast in his spare time.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://linkedin.com/in/sarah-woodhouse-51b55321/
Kerry Hamilton
Kerry Hamilton is an accomplished professional with over 15 years of extensive experience in membership and operations management. Currently serving as the Director of Membership and Operations at the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG), Kerry has been at the forefront of initiatives that promote member engagement and enhance operational efficiency.
Previously, as the Head of Membership and Operations at VODG for three years, Kerry successfully led strategic agendas that significantly improved membership recruitment, retention and satisfaction.
Kerry's background includes key roles within the Royal Air Forces Association, where she managed branch operations and membership planning, as well as the Association of Teachers of Mathematics, where she reported directly to the board of trustees and served as Executive Officer for six years. These positions have equipped her with a robust skill set in managing diverse teams and developing impactful strategies.
Kerry holds a Bachelor of Arts in Open Degree with a specialisation in Leadership, Management, and Marketing from The Open University. She has also earned a Level 3 Business Administration Diploma from the Oxford College of Arts, Business and Technology and completed the CIM Level 7 Marketing Leadership Programme.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- www.vodg.org.uk/
- LinkedIn:
- https://linkedin.com/in/kerry-hamilton-55b24831/
Sue Howarth
Sue is VODG’s Membership and Marketing Officer, and as such, is often the first point of contact for members. Sue plays a pivotal role in the management of events, including working with co-chairs across the full range of Professional Networks, delivering meaningful and engaging events.
Prior to joining VODG, Sue had a successful career in marketing, working both in agencies and on the client side with a diverse range of blue-chip companies. She later launched her own business, specialising in supporting clients with subscription or membership models, including conservation charities and special-interest magazine titles. Her extensive business experience, combined with her deep expertise in membership and subscription services, provides a solid foundation for her role at VODG.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Rhidian Hughes
Prior to joining VODG Rhidian’s career spanned a range of senior research, regulation and consultancy roles. He worked in management consultancy across the health and social care sectors and before that in regulation. Earlier in his career Rhidian held academic appointments, leading programmes of social policy research.
Rhidian was educated at the University of York where he also earned his Doctorate.
Hannah Lazell
Hannah is a freelance policy and public affairs consultant with over seventeen years’ experience working in Parliament, local government and public affairs. In Parliament, Hannah worked for Shabana Mahmood MP as a caseworker and Parliamentary Researcher, and as a Political Advisor to Harriet Harman MP. This was followed by working as a Political and Legislative Advisor for the Labour front bench in the House of Lords, where Hannah covered a range of policy and legislative briefs. She also worked in corporate affairs, focusing on financial services.
Hannah spent seven years working as a Political Advisor in the Local Government Association’s Labour Group office, working with councillors and council leaders to support them in their roles, but also playing a key role in putting local government at the heart of the Labour Party’s policy making process ahead of the General Election.
As a result of her career experience, Hannah has a strong understanding in local government and devolution, as well as strategic communications and public affairs. She is now working on a consultancy basis offering strategy and policy advice, and public affairs expertise.
Peter Loose
Peter joined VODG as an Associate in 2019, bringing extensive operational and strategic experience from across the disability and adult social care sectors. A former Chief Executive of a VODG member organisation, he previously held senior roles in local government spanning provider services, commissioning and Head of Adult Social Care responsibilities. Peter has worked in learning disability services for almost 50 years.
He is Co‑chair of the LeDeR Independent Advisory Group and, as a VODG Associate, has supported providers and strengthened the provider voice across initiatives including cyber security, digital inclusion, the Fair Pay Agreement and delegated healthcare. Peter’s professional commitment is rooted in lived experience through supporting his brother, who has Down’s syndrome and Regression.
Sarah Osmik
Sarah has extensive communications and marketing experience in the charity sector, with particular expertise in media relations. She has held roles at Turning Point, Alzheimer’s Society and Relate, where she progressed to Head of Marketing and Communications.
As an independent communications consultant, Sarah supports charity clients with projects spanning media relations, copywriting and social media management.
Sarah is also a qualified counsellor and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Elizabeth Pearl
Elizabeth is VODG’s Partnerships and Business Development Manager. She leads on developing strategic relationships and identifying opportunities that support the organisation’s growth and long-term sustainability. Working closely with the senior leadership team, Elizabeth plays a key role in strengthening existing corporate partnerships and forging new collaborations that reflect the values and priorities of VODG’s members.
Elizabeth began her career in education, where she built strong communication and strategic planning skills. She later moved into marketing and relationship management, spending seven years in the high-tech sector driving business development and managing key client accounts. This breadth of experience brings a valuable perspective to her role at VODG.
She holds a degree in Communication and Political Science and has undertaken professional training in Sales and Education.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://linkedin.com/in/elizabethpearl/
Alexander Saul
Alex is a freelance Policy, Public Affairs and Governance Specialist with 13 years of experience spanning frontline local government services, democratic governance, policy development and national advisory work.
His career is built on a strong foundation at the Local Government Association, where he held a range of senior roles — from the Member Services Team through to Policy Adviser on the Test, Trace & Contain programme during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he liaised extensively with NHS Test & Trace and government departments, and as Executive Assistant to the Chair (supporting both Conservative and Labour incumbents). Before this, he had roles in local government in Kent, starting off in frontline services in the Housing department of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council.
He holds a BA in Politics and International Relations (2:1 Hons) from the University of Kent and a PRINCE2 qualification, and his areas of expertise include local government, governance models, social care, public health, housing and health inequalities. Based in the North West of England, he currently takes on a range of freelance projects and contracts.
Deborah Sinclair
Deborah is VODG’s Business and Operations Manager. Her focus is on operations and processes, including finance and governance, providing administrative support to the leadership team in the day-to-day running of the organisation, enabling them to ensure VODG delivers on its priorities.
Deborah has experience providing direct finance, HR and governance support in the charity sector, spending over 3 years working closely with the CEO and trustees of a relationships charity. Prior to this, Deborah worked in various roles within the University of Sheffield and Students’ Union, supporting staff, students and alumni with all aspects of events.
Deborah has a BA (hons) degree in History and Media Studies and an MA in Gender, Culture and Development. She is currently studying towards an AAT accounting qualification.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Duncan Tree
Duncan Tree has nearly 40 years of experience working in social & health policy at national and local levels, in both the statutory and VCFSE sectors. He began his career at East Social Services Department in the late 1980’s and has worked for West Sussex Council Social Services, the Local Government Association, the Improvement & Development Agency for Local Government and the national charity formerly known as Community Service Volunteers, Volunteering Matters. Between July 2019 and 2025, Duncan was Director of Strategy & Relationships with the Association of Mental Health Providers, where he led the Association's work on social care and its member engagement.
Duncan’s work experience and interests span both adults & children’s social care & support and related housing and social security benefits issues. He describes himself as someone with lifelong understanding of the moral imperative for decent social, health and other public services for disabled people.
Duncan has been a trustee of Child Poverty Action Group, Age Concern Brighton, Hove Portslade and since 2014, of Seaview, the St Leonard's on Sea based charity which provides a range of social care and support services across East Sussex for people with addiction problems, mental health issues, ex-and at-risk offenders and rough sleepers.
Sarah Woodhouse
Sarah joined VODG as the Head of Policy and Influencing in May 2023 and was promoted to Director of Policy and Influencing in June 2025, leading on VODG’s policy, press, parliamentary and research activity.
Sarah has a wealth of policy and public affairs experience from her time at Turning Point, the Local Government Association, as a freelance consultant (working with organisations including Relate, ElectHER and the World Bank), and working with parliamentarians on various high profile campaigns and commissions.
Sarah has a master’s degree in public policy from University College London (UCL) and is a Member of the Chartered Institute for Public Relations.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://linkedin.com/in/sarah-woodhouse-51b55321/
