Our Directors

 

Helen Walker

Chief Executive

Helen brings a wealth of leadership experience in civil society organisations and strong experience of fundraising and strategic and business planning. Before joining the national volunteering charity, TimeBank, as Chief Executive in 2008, Helen was Director of Fundraising at the military charity SSAFA. 

 

Laura Doughty

Director of Fundraising and Communications

Laura joined Carers UK in November 2018. In her role, she leads on income generation, brand, communications, marketing and digital strategy.

Laura brings over 16 years’ experience in UK charities, and she also bring 18 years’ business experience of commercial sales in major international media companies.

 

Aaron Dryden

Director of Carer Support

Aaron is responsible for the charity’s work to support carers, including the helpline, information, listening support, membership and volunteering. With over 20 years working in the disability sector, carers have been a common thread throughout his career.

Passionate about engagement and inclusion, Aaron joined in July 2021 with a focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for carers through our support offer.

 

Emily Holzhausen OBE

Director of Policy and Public Affairs

Emily leads on our policy, parliamentary, research and media work. Within her team is also Carers Week, one of the UK's biggest awareness weeks involving thousands of local events.

 

Marie Magimay

Director of Finance and Resources

Marie leads on our finance, HR, IT and governance work as well as overseeing the facilities function. She works closely with the Chief Executive and other members of the senior management team to develop and manage strategic, business and budget planning for the organisation. Marie has built up a wide breadth of experience from working in national and international charities and the social enterprise sector. She is experienced in helping drive businesses to achieve their aims. She is also Carers UK Company Secretary.

 

Richard Meade

Director of Carers Scotland and Carers Northern Ireland

Richard leads the team at Carers Scotland & Carers NI. He has extensive experience working in the third sector in senior leadership roles, including recently as Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Marie Curie, where he led award winning campaigns to change legislation and influence public policy. He has a proven track record in managing departments, teams and projects covering public affairs and stakeholder engagement plans, research projects, corporate communications activity and strategy development.

He has worked for a range of organisations including Barnardo’s Scotland, Fleishman-Hillard, NHS Quality Improvement and the Home Office.

 

Claire Morgan

Director of Wales

Claire joined in July 2017. She campaigns within the Welsh Government and with other public, private and third sector partners in Wales, to increase recognition of the 310,751 carers saving the Welsh economy £8 billion a year and the support carers need to continue to making such a vital contribution.

Claire joined us from Age Cymru where she was a Director for over five years, managing national services for older people. She has worked in Wales and England in community development, business start up and economic development.

 

Madeleine Starr MBE

Director of Business Development & Innovation

Madeleine leads on business development and innovation, with responsibility for training and consultancy, technology and the Employers for Carers membership forum. She ensures that our income-generating activities meet our charitable objectives, helping to improve carers lives while ensuring that the organisation is sustainable in the future.