St Christopher’s is a charity creating brighter futures for children and young people in care. As a leading provider of children's services, we always seek to develop our practice and find new ways of supporting young people.
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All our services have the same goal: to support children and young people to fulfil their potential, grow into independent adults and have happy, successful futures.
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There are many ways you can support St Christopher's work with children and young people. Find out how you can help young people reach their goals.
Our trustees
St Christopher’s Trustees work across our Councils in the UK and Isle of Man. They bring a variety of transferable skills and knowledge to the organisation, and spend time getting to know our young people and staff in line with the Nolan principles.
Meet the team
Bert O'Donoghue
Chair - UK
Trustee - Isle of Man
Trustee - Isle of Man
Bert spent 32 years with the 3M Company. He was Managing Director of the 3M subsidiaries in Hungary and India / Sri Lanka and held Pan-European positions leading the electronics / telecommunications and industrial businesses. Bert retired from 3M in June 2013 and joined St Christopher's as a Trustee in September 2013. He was elected as Vice-Chair in 2014 and became Chair in 2018.
Angela Dakin PGCert
Vice-Chair - UK
Angela provides independent strategic support and advice to public and voluntary sector clients across both children's and adults' services. She has previously held Assistant Director roles in several local authorities, with responsibility for commissioning, performance management and service improvement. Her voluntary experience includes direct work with young people through the Prince's Trust and in schools, overseas project work and grant making. She was elected as Vice-Chair in 2018.
Caroline Johnson
Chair (Interim) - Isle of Man
Caroline has worked in the finance industry at board level positions in HSBC and Barclays, before being headhunted by Friends Provident to improve corporate governance structures. Since retiring Caroline has undertaken a Forensic Psychology Degree and a voluntary role on the Isle of Man Parole Committee. She sits on a fund administration board for Apex Fund Services and has passed the Institute of Directors Certificate and holds a Diploma in Company Direction.
Akua Doreen Akonor BSc MA Fellow CIPD
Trustee - UK
Akua Doreen has more than 20 years experience in human resources, working within healthcare, telecommunications, IT and investment businesses across Europe, Africa and Asia. A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, she now provides independent strategic and operational advice and support to investment and private equity firms, with specialism in business transformation, leadership transition and effectiveness, diversity and inclusion, and HR operational effectiveness.
Joe Anichebe BA (Hons) MBA Fellow CIMA
Honorary Treasurer - UK, Trustee - Isle of Man
Joe is a graduate of both John Moores University and Kingston University, and is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. He has worked in the financial services industry for more than 25 years at JP Morgan, UBS and HSBC. Joe is a keen Liverpool FC supporter and is married with two daughters.
David Brown MA PhD CSci CPhys FIChemE FInstP FRSC
Trustee - UK
David is a consultant working at the interface between universities, business and the public sector with a special interest in educational outcomes for young people. He was formerly Chief Executive of the Institution of Chemical Engineers and also served as Deputy Chairman of the regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and has held board and Trustee positions in several organisations.
Kelly Dooley BA MA NPQH PGCE PGCert
Trustee - UK
Kelly lived at St Christopher's when she was a teenager. She has since graduated from the Central School of Speech and Drama and has devoted her professional career to teaching in comprehensive secondary schools in London. She has held a range of senior leadership roles in schools and is currently Head Teacher at The Richmond upon Thames School.
Rupert Duff
Trustee - UK
Rupert studied computer science at the University of the West of England and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales. Rupert has worked for PwC for over 15 years providing assurance and advisory services to the financial services sector. Rupert joined St Christopher's initially as a co-opted member of the Audit and Risk Committee in 2018 before becoming a Trustee in 2020.
Geneva Ellis BA (Hons)
Trustee - Isle of Man
Geneva is St Christopher's Director of Corporate Services. She previously worked with young people who were disengaged with education and in adult homeless hostels and has held a number of roles, including setting up and managing two 16+ homes.
Noella Hacquard
Trustee - UK
Noella was born in Africa, raised in South America, educated in France and moved to the UK for work in 2006. She has worked with children and families for over 18 years in France and UK and has a postgraduate diploma from the Tavistock, an MA in psychoanalytical studies from Birkbeck University and an MSc in Social Worker from France. Noella has worked within child protection for her whole career in schools, justice system, general public to custody issues. Her international background, education and career has equipped her to better understand cultural differences and interact with diverse cultures. Being a bilingual and mixed race young woman with a disability has given her great understanding of oppression and systemic discrimination.
John Halliwell BA NPQH
Trustee - UK
John is an Executive Head Teacher in London, leading a number of schools within the STEP Academy Trust. He is responsible for leadership development across the trust, developing training packages and coaching to support leaders at all levels. In 2017, John was made a National Leader of Education (NLE), recognising his experience and success in improving schools. Previously John has been the Chair of Governors for a special school and has worked in a number of schools in challenging circumstances.
Dan Hobbs BA (Hons)
Trustee - UK
Dan is a senior civil servant in the Home Office. He joined the civil service from university and has worked in a number of roles in the Home Office, Cabinet Office and Foreign Office, including working for two Prime Ministers on EU Justice and Home Affairs policy. Dan joined St Christopher’s in 2013 as a Trustee and joined the Isle of Man Council of Trustees in 2014.
Sara Kortenray
Company Secretary
Sara is responsible for governance of St Christopher's Council of Trustees in both the UK and Isle of Man. She looks after data protection and quality assurance to ensure we are compliant with regulation. Sara has a wealth of experience as a company secretary and data protection lead, including experience working in housing associations and charities.
Vicki Markiewicz
Trustee - UK
Vicki works at Change Grow Live with the CEO and six other Executive Directors to lead staff and volunteers to achieve the best possible outcomes for the people who use their services. She uses her facilitation and communication skills to connect with both colleagues and external stakeholders and audiences. Vicki says she feels lucky to be where she is and believes that everyone has the right to access whatever support they need to change their lives for the better.
Lisa Nelson
Trustee - Isle of Man
Lisa has a number of years’ experience in the financial services industry having previously held the positions of Chief Financial Officer and Global Finance Head for Fund Services within the securities division of HSBC. Lisa holds a BA (Hons) Degree in Economics from the University of Manchester and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales. She is also a qualified teacher.
Sally O'Neill BA (Hons)
Trustee - UK
Sally currently holds the position of Vice-President International at Lewis PR, where she has worked for over 15 years. With a background in International Business, Sally’s specialisms include coordinating international PR campaigns and managing agency networks. Sally joined St Christopher’s as a Trustee in 2013.
Dinesh Visavadia BSc
Trustee - UK
Dinesh is a Director at Independent Trustee Services Ltd. He has previously worked as the Head of Pensions and Benefits at Britvic Soft Drinks Ltd, John Lewis Partnership, Royal Mail and JP Morgan in a career spanning over 30 years. Dinesh joined St Christopher’s Council of Trustees in 2013 and was elected Honorary Treasurer in 2015.
Jonathan Whalley
Trustee - Isle of Man
Jonathan began his social work career in residential care and has worked at every level within the sector, with a particular emphasis on looked after children and care leavers. He was a senior, strategic leader for Luton Borough Council and Barnardo's, before joining St Christopher's as Chief Executive in 2018. He has a proven track record as a change manager and is an effective strategic leader.
'St Christopher’s is a wonderful organisation that puts the children and young people that they work with at the front and centre of everything that they do. It is an honour and a privilege to be associated with the incredibly committed staff and trustees throughout the UK and the Isle of Man, who dedicate themselves to creating brighter futures.'
Bert O'Donoghue