IPSEA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Legal Team Member
- Solicitor in
Alex is a solicitor in IPSEA's legal team. She is responsible for delivering training to new volunteers and ongoing training to existing volunteers. She delivers IPSEA's programme of external training to parents, schools, SEN specialists and local authorities. As well as training, Alex also provides legal support to the IPSEA volunteers and monitors and supervises their case work and helpline advice as well as supporting the provision of legal updates. Alex creates legally based written resources and is part of the team undertaking national and local policy work. Alex enjoys running, hiking and attempting yoga.
Alison oversees IPSEA's fundraising strategy, with a focus on building relationships, innovative fundraising, strategic planning and ensuring a sustainable funding pipeline for our charity. She has over 15 years' experience in devising and executing successful fundraising campaigns for non-profit organisations and charitable causes and has consistently generated substantial financial support for various local and national charities. In her spare time, Alison is a devoted dog lover, endeavours to train her mischievous Cockapoo and actively supports animal welfare organisations.
Amy is a qualified lawyer with over 20 years' experience in both private practice and industry. Her experience covers a wide range of sectors, including technology, financial services, advertising, publishing, consultancy and ecommerce. Amy is currently Assistant General Counsel, Europe at Dun & Bradstreet, leading a team of 20 lawyers across multiple European jurisdictions. Amy has extensive management and cross-border experience, with particular expertise in leading and managing through change and in designing and implementing strategic improvement programmes. Amy has a keen interest in advocating for and supporting neurodiverse children with specific educational needs, as well as mentoring within her team and wider professional network, to help people maximise their potential and achieve their objectives.
Job Titles:
- Volunteer Engagement Coordinator
Anna works in the advice services team as the volunteer engagement coordinator. She is the first point of contact for volunteers and provides support at all stages of the volunteer role. Before joining IPSEA she was an Early Years teacher. She is mum to three teenagers - the eldest of whom is Autistic. She enjoys peaceful early morning runs, making soup, reading detective and crime novels and being walked by her French Bulldog, Alvin.
Carol is a registered Social Worker and has considerable experience of working in the social care sector with a career spanning 35 years in local government, the private sector and for nearly a decade with national charities, most recently working with children with special educational needs and their families. She is currently a researcher at Durham University, focusing on family experiences of disability. Carol has considerable experience as a Chief Executive and has well developed skills in business planning, risk assessment and management, and safeguarding of vulnerable children and adults. She has a background in service development. She has experience of serving on a number of boards and committees including for the YMCA, as an executive for the NSPCC and also as Vice Chair of Governors of a large secondary school.
Catriona is responsible for IPSEA's work in bringing about change by influencing the development of SEND policy nationally. Her background is in public policy and communications, and she has worked for a number of charities and public sector organisations, as well as in Parliament. In the past she has served as an elected councillor in a London borough, a special school governor and a charity trustee. Alongside her work, Catriona cares and advocates for her teenage daughter, who has complex needs. When there's any spare time, she loves walking all over London and hiding in bookshops.
Charmaine works in the advice services team as the Tribunal Casework Coordinator. She matches up families with volunteers to support them through the tribunal process. She has three children, two of whom are disabled. She enjoys yoga, swimming, reading and walking with her two dogs, Scrappy and Dora.
Job Titles:
- Communications Officer
- Author
Emma is responsible for building the IPSEA brand and promoting and marketing IPSEA's services to multiple audiences. She manages and implements IPSEA's marketing campaigns, and coordinates our website, social media, PR and special events. Before joining IPSEA, Emma worked for the University of Cambridge as a Project Coordinator looking after the delivery and organisation of a wide range of executive education programmes. When not working, Emma is kept busy by her young children, and if she gets a spare moment, can be found reading a good book.
Job Titles:
- Senior Solicitor
- Solicitor
Georgina is a qualified solicitor. As a member of IPSEA's legal team she delivers IPSEA's training programme to volunteers and to various external audiences including parents, schools and SEN professionals. Georgina monitors and provides legal support to IPSEA volunteers, and manages IPSEA's written resources and Upper Tribunal appeals. She also contributes to IPSEA's work to improve SEN policy at local and national levels. Outside of work, Georgina enjoys live music, motorbike rides, yoga and good old quality time with her friends and family (especially when this involves food!).
Gillian works part-time for IPSEA as a Helplines Advisor advising parents and carers on issues relating to special educational needs and disabilities and appeals to the SEND Tribunal. She completed her law degree in 2022 and is now studying for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) having successfully passed SQE1 in July 2023. Gillian is embarking on a second career in law having previously worked in the pension industry for over 20 years. She has two children with SEND who have inspired her change in career. She is also Chair of Trustees for a small charity supporting children with Down Syndrome and is a special school governor. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking the family dog and reading.
Helen works in the advice services team as a Helplines Coordinator. She coordinates the Call-In Service. She also takes calls and gives advice on all the helplines. Helen is a recently retired teacher and senior manager in special schools. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, dancing, sewing, crochet, singing in a choir, theatre and spending time with her three grown-up children, family and friends.
Jo is responsible for organising and coordinating IPSEA's training sessions. Before joining IPSEA, Jo lived and worked in South Africa supporting the Regional Learning & Development team for Virgin Active Health Clubs. In her spare time, Jo can be found in group fitness classes or involved in local amateur dramatics. Jo is a mum to two daughters, both currently at university.
Joanne spent 15 years as a disputes lawyer, followed by 20 years in legal Learning and Development, culminating in the role of Head of Learning and Development at City law firm Slaughter and May. She is now a legal education and development consultant and Project Lead for City Century, which promotes solicitor apprenticeships in City of London-based law firms. Joanne is an experienced line manager, a qualified executive coach, a mentor for the 30% Club, emPower and INvolve, and a Mental Health First Aider. She is also a founder and trustee of the Women of the Year Foundation.
Judith has worked in procurement and commissioning in both the public and private sectors for over 25 years, most latterly working across the higher education sector managing procurement shared services and consulting assignments. She has also worked as a Specialist Parent Support Worker for a charity in North Hertfordshire providing support to parents/carers of children and young people with ASD and/or ADHD. She has been a trustee of a charity providing services to pre-school aged children with disabilities and a governor to a secondary school Academy Trust. She has four children, one of whom has ASD and severe learning difficulties and for whom she has sought advice in the past from IPSEA to ensure suitable educational provision. She is delighted to contribute to this charity that provides such essential advice, information and guidance to families often coping with very challenging circumstances.
Julia is our Advice Services Manager and oversees the running of the advice services delivered to parents through a team of volunteers. Julia has over 15 years experience in the charity sector including volunteer management and delivering information services. Julia has two boys at secondary school and her eldest has an autism diagnosis. Julia has been a member of her local choir for over 10 years, and makes the most of the stress-busing communal singing and opportunities to perform to friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Legal Team Member
- Member of the Legal Team
As a member of the legal team, Kate provides legal support to volunteers and supervises their helpline and Tribunal Support Service work. She also writes monthly updates for the volunteers, ensuring they are kept up to date with legal and policy changes. She helps maintain IPSEA's legal resources and briefings, and provides training to parents, carers and professionals. Kate also supports the policy team in their work. In her spare time, Kate loves to have her nose in a new book, get outside and exercise, and play with her two sons.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Legal Team
- Solicitor Apprentice
As a member of the legal team, Lauren provides legal advice, casework support, and representation to parents, young people and carers on IPSEA's helplines and before the First Tier Tribunal. Lauren researches and updates content for IPSEA's website, e-learning and training legal resources. She is currently studying with BPP University in preparation for the SQE. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys spending time with her young children, family outings, skiing holidays and reading.
Job Titles:
- Legal Team Member
- Member of the Legal Team
As a member of the legal team, Lisa works with volunteers training them, providing legal support and supervising their work on the helplines and Tribunal Support Service. She also delivers training to parents, carers and professionals, and helps the team to keep IPSEA's legal resources up to date. Outside of work, Lisa enjoys going to the theatre, planning family holidays and is currently studying for her Masters.
Job Titles:
- Legal Team Member
- Member of IPSEA 's Legal Team
Liz is a member of IPSEA's Legal Team. She provides legal support to new and existing volunteers and supervises and monitors the advice provided on IPSEA's helplines. She also delivers SEND Law training to parents and carers across the country. As part of IPSEA's Policy Team, Liz gets involved in both local and national policy work and contributes to creating content which is shared on our social media platforms. Liz's role includes reviewing and updating the IPSEA website to ensure information is kept current and she enjoys creating new website resources for parents and young people to use, such as model letters Outside of work, Liz advocates and cares for her son, who is Autistic and has special educational needs; she is also a special school governor. Liz enjoys spinning, walking and spending quality time with family.
Marcia Ore began her professional life as a Police Officer serving in two UK police services from 1982 to 2012. Since retiring on completing thirty years of service, she now works as a freelance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant and Coach. She also has experience as a school governor, and has held voluntary and paid roles at Catch22 and the Prince's Trust. As a grandmother to a child with SEND, Marcia understands the challenges carers face in accessing appropriate advice, guidance and support for children and young people with SEND. IPSEA's vision, mission and values align very closely with her own.
Maria has worked for organisations providing legally based advice about special educational needs since 1997. As part of the legal team, Maria works with IPSEA's new and existing volunteers delivering training to them, and providing legal support. She is also responsible for monitoring and supervising their work and assisting them by providing legal updates. Maria also delivers IPSEA's external training to parents, SEN experts, schools and local authorities as well as creating legally based written resources. Maria is Vice Chair of Governors at a local authority maintained primary school where, not surprisingly, she takes the lead on SEN issues.
Megan is one of two solicitor apprentices in the legal team at IPSEA. Her role involves providing legal advice and casework support to parents, carers and young people on the IPSEA helplines and before the First Tier Tribunal. Megan is a recent graduate from the University of Hull after completing her Law degree and a Master's degree in Criminal Justice and Crime Control. She is currently studying with BPP in preparation for her Solicitor's Qualifying Exam. When not working Megan enjoys holidaying abroad, reading thriller novels, live music and spending time with friends and family.
Nicola's role is to keep the office running smoothly. Her focus is predominantly HR, dealing with contracts, invoices, leases, health and safety and carrying out general administration. When not at work Nicola is busy looking after her family and volunteering in her local community.
Job Titles:
- Leader and Professional Manager
Richard is an experienced law firm leader and professional manager, who has worked at board level within international legal practices. Starting as an English corporate lawyer in City of London law firms, before moving into learning and development and knowledge management, he has most recently led Corporate Services at Herbert Smith Freehills. His responsibilities here for legal operations, programme management, pro bono and corporate social responsibility involved him in many strategy and transformation projects, which was also a feature of earlier roles with Andersen Legal & EY Law. Now he consults with legal services businesses in the UK and Europe on their management challenges. In recent years at HSF he championed pro bono, community and diversity and inclusion initiatives, with a particular focus on helping those with dyslexia and autism to achieve their full potential in the workplace. As a parent with children who benefitted from learning support when at school, he has a particular interest in bringing his experience to support the IPSEA mission.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Accountant
- Finance Manager
Sarah is a Chartered Accountant and manages IPSEA's finance team. Having completed her training in the public sector audit team at PwC, Sarah has continued to work in and around public services so brings over 10 years experience of working in finance in a heavily regulated environment. The finance team work across the organisation providing financial support and ensuring strong financial governance is embedded within IPSEAs processes.
Job Titles:
- Retired Chartered Accountant
Sharon Gillott is a recently retired Chartered Accountant with over 30 years' experience of working in professional practice and industry. Her work mainly involved advising owner-managed businesses and she has extensive experience of providing strategic business and financial advice as well as acting as a trusted adviser to management during periods of change. She has always undertaken volunteer roles alongside her professional life and these have included acting as a mentor to young people starting businesses and being a Governor of a special school for four years. She currently serves as a Board member for a West Yorkshire housing association and chairs the Human Resources and Governance committee. Sharon is the IPSEA Board member who liaises with the staff dealing with financial matters.
Sinthu is a qualified lawyer with over 15 years of experience in both private practice and the financial services industry. She specialises in tax law and is currently an Executive Director in the EMEA Tax team at J.P. Morgan as well as the Chair of the European Tax Group of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association. Sinthu is the mother of two children, one of whom has special educational needs. She holds the mission statement of IPSEA close to her heart and is committed to contributing to the organisation and the SEND community. Sinthu recognises first hand the importance of the advice, advocacy and support provided to children and young people with SEND, their carers and their families against a backdrop of a challenging and evolving social, economic and political landscape.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Trustees
- Solicitor
Tony is a qualified solicitor and he taught at The College of Law (now the University of Law) for several years before joining one of the firms which merged to create Clifford Chance as a tax lawyer. Tony was involved in education, training and professional development at Clifford Chance from 1988 until he retired as a Director in July 2014. He was instrumental in introducing the extensive global programme of legal-technical and business skills programmes for people at all levels in all the offices at Clifford Chance. Tony was heavily involved in education and training issues for the legal profession both nationally and internationally. He has been the Chair of the International Bar Association's Academic & Professional Development Committee, of the national Law Society's Education & Training Committee and of the City of London Law Society's Training Committee. After he retired, he was a member of the Queen's Counsel Selection Panel (as it was then called) for five years. Recently he has been the Master of the City of London Solicitors' Company (the Livery Company for City Solicitors) and the President of the City of London Law Society. As Chair, Tony's role is to provide leadership to the Board and work closely with the CEO to ensure the effective governance of the charity.
Uriah has over 40 years of experience in both the private and third sector with a strong background in governance and international commercial environments. He has held trustee, director and senior management roles in fundraising, sales and marketing. As a parent to a neurodiverse child, with a dual disability of Inattentive ADHD & Autism, he has continuing lived experience of what the journey is like for a parent/carer and is keen to ensure that people have access to the best possible legal advice.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Legal Team Manager
Wendy is a solicitor and manages IPSEA's legal team. The legal team trains IPSEA's volunteers as well as supervising and assisting them with legal queries, casework support and tribunal advice. The team also delivers training to parent and carer groups and other organisations helping their members understand their legal rights under the SEND statutory framework, as well as bespoke training courses for other professionals in the SEND field advising them on their legal obligations to children and young people. Working with IPSEA's policy manager, the legal team seeks to influence national policy and legal developments in SEND law as well as effecting change within individual local authorities.