The team

    Ian Soars, CEO
    CEO Ian Soars

    Ian Soars, CEO of Spurgeons, leads the charity's mission to care for every family, putting children and young people first in everything we do. 

    Annelize Mynhardt, Chief Operating Officer
    Chief Operating Officer Annelize Mynhardt

    Annelize Mynhardt, Spurgeons' Chief Operating Officer, is responsible for overseeing the charity's operations, ensuring optimal support for families, children and young people.  

    Kate Roberts, Director of People and Culture
    Director of People and Culture Kate Roberts

    Kate Roberts, as the Director or People and Culture is instrumental in shaping the organisation's HR strategies, fostering a supportive work culture, and enhancing employee engagement. 

    Don Esson, Director of Partnerships and Development
    Director of Partnerships and Development Don Esson

    Don Esson, as the Director of Partnerships and Development oversees fostering strategic partnerships and driving development initiatives. 

    Lorraine White, Director of Commissioned Services
    Director of Services and Practice Lorraine White

    Lorraine White, as the Director of Services and Practice at Spurgeons, ensures the charity's services are delivered effectively, focusing on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and families. 

    Ann-Marie Fisher, Head of Communications and Digital Services
    Director of Communications and Digital Delivery Ann-Marie Fisher

    Ann-Marie Fisher, as Director of Communications and Digital Delivery, she leads the charity's communications strategies and the development of digital services to support families and community partners digitally. 

    Karen Ortiz-McAvoy, Head of Strategic Programmes and Governance
    Head of Strategic Programmes and Governance Karen Ortiz-McAvoy

    Karen Ortiz-McAvoy, as the Head of Strategic Programmes and Governance, plays a crucial role in shaping and overseeing the charity's strategic initiatives and ensuring governance standards are met to support our mission. 

    Amanda Massey
    Head of Service Amanda Massey

    Amanda Massey, as Head of Service, oversees key contracts in Wiltshire, Surrey and Birmingham, ensuring high quality support for families, fulfilment of key performance targets goals, team development and practice development. 

    Sarah Smith
    Head of Practice Development Sarah Smith

    Sarah Smith has over 25 years of experience as a registered social worker. As the Head of Practice Development at Spurgeons, leads in safeguarding practices, chairs the Safeguarding Panel, and supports the leadership team in organisational development. 

    Sarah Wallis
    Head of Delivery Partnerships and Development Sarah Wallis

    Sarah Wallis, Head of Delivery Partnerships and Development is responsible for developing and delivering support for families through community-based family hubs and oversight early years settings in the Southeast. 

    Jonathan Wiggin
    Head of Service Birmingham Jonathan Wiggin

    Jonathan Wiggin, as the Head of Service in Birmingham for Spurgeons, is dedicated to supporting families and children, providing a range of services that contribute to giving children the best start in life. 

    Lucy Bracher
    Family Hub County Manager Lucy Bracher

    Lucy Bracher, Family Hub County Manager (Wiltshire) manages Quality and Practice in Wiltshire's family hubs, focusing on high standards and team empowerment to enhance family life in the community. 

    Sally Ruby
    District Manager at Elmbridge Sally Ruby

    Sally Ruby, District Manager at Elmbridge supports the children and families at our family centres in Elmbridge. 

    Tracy Foster
    National Domestic Abuse Lead Tracy Foster

    Tracy Foster, with over 20 years of experience as registered social worker, currently serves as the National Domestic Abuse Lead at Spurgeons, where she supports individuals impacted by domestic abuse. 

Our trustees

    Chris James Trustee
    Chris James

    Chris joined our Board of Trustees in 2020.

    Colin Jones Trustee
    Colin Jones

    Colin joined the Board of Trustees in 2023.

    David Buchan Trustee
    David Buchan

    David joined our Board of Trustees in 2021.

    Linda Emery Trustee
    Linda Emery

    Linda joined our Board of Trustees in 2022.

    Michelle Brissett

    Michelle joined our Board of Trustees in 2020.

    Mike Rebeiro Trustee
    Mike Rebeiro

    Chair of Board. Mike joined our Board of Trustees in 2022.

    Nicky Rayner Trustee
    Nicky Rayner

    Nicky joined our Board of Trustees in 2020.

    Phil Green Trustee
    Phil Green

    Vice-Chair of Board. Phil joined our Board of Trustees in 2019.

    Sarah Powley Trustee
    Sarah Powley

    Special Advisor since October 2023, and previously Trustee for 6 years.

    Tim Elwell-Sutton

    Tim joined our Board of Trustees in 2022.

    Debbie Clinton, trustee
    Debbie Clinton

    Debbie joined our Board of Trustees in July 2024.

    Rachel Warwick - Trustee
    Rachel Warwick

    Rachel joined our Board of Trustees in July 2024.

    Louise Whitehead, Trustee.
    Louise Whitehead

    Louise joined our Board of Trustees in July 2024.

    Alicia Fowler - Trustee
    Alicia Fowler

    Alicia joined our Board of Trustees in July 2024.

    Berry Leader - Trustee
    Special Advisor Berry Leeder

    Berry joined as Special Advisor in July 2024.