Find out if you could be a foster carer
In a few simple questions, you’ll know if you’re suitable to apply to become a foster carer.
Chief Executive Officer
I have the privilege to be leading National Fostering Group since early January 2025. My most recent previous role was at the other end of the caring-sector age spectrum, as CEO of Appello, where we helped elderly and vulnerable people stay safe and independent for longer.
When I joined Appello, we supported around 100,000 people on behalf of local authorities and housing providers, with about 200 employees. During the nearly seven years I led the company, we grew that to over 400,000 elderly or vulnerable people supported and c800 employees. As well as growing substantially, we also improved standards in the sector and set new benchmarks for the way services could and should be delivered.
Fostering makes an amazing difference to the lives of children and also gives pride and satisfaction to the wonderful carers who provide the family environment which changes those children’s life path. I am proud and excited to bring the decades of leadership experience that I have gained in my career to NFG so that we can create more fostering families and make an even greater contribution to society.
Outside of work, I have three grown-up children and my wife and I love to be outdoors, ideally hiking, cycling, running, walking the dog or just hanging out with friends and family in the fresh air.
What is your role at NFG and how long have you worked here?
I am the Director of Social Work and have worked for the group for 17 years
What was your experience before coming to NFG?
Before joining NFG I worked with several Local Authorities in the child protection team.
What do you like most about your role and working for the group?
I love the culture of the group and how all our teams genuinely want to make a difference. I am incredibly passionate about outcomes for children and supporting young people to reach their individual potential. I enjoy working with our teams and lots of different people, it makes my role a very interesting one.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself
I enjoy photography and gardening. I have a beautiful 2 year old grandson, who was born on Christmas day, who I absolutely adore.
What is your role at NFG and how long have you worked here?
I’m the Chief Operations Officer for NFG and responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organisation. Prior to this role, I was a Regional Director. I have been working in NFG since 2021.
What was your experience before coming to NFG?
I started my career as a Graduate Trainee Manager at Marks & Spencer after completing a BA (Hons) in Business Management, and worked in various senior manager roles in Marks & Spencer, Woolworths, and Sainsbury’s for 15 years, before moving into health care as a Regional Operations Manager for Oasis Dental and studying for my MBA; followed by 7 years as Director of Strategy and Business Services for NHS Blood & Transplant.
What do you like most about your role and working for the group?
I love knowing that it isn’t just a job! Every day we are improving the lives of children and young people and making a real difference in society.
What is your role at NFG and how long have you worked here?
I joined the National Fostering Group in November 2023 as Chief Commercial Officer.
What was your experience before coming to NFG?
Prior to joining NFG I held several commercial and marketing roles across a range of industries including Healthcare, Travel/Leisure, Transport, Financial Services, Retail, and Property. I have managed multi-disciplined teams across insight, proposition development, digital, brand growth, sales, customer contact, and customer experience.
What do you like most about your role and working for the group?
“This is an amazing organisation to work for, everyone is so committed and passionate about building positive futures for children and young people. The challenge is to find more Foster Carers, however, it’s really clear that this is a goal everyone at NFG shares.”
What is your role at NFG and how long have you worked here?
I’m the Chief Finance Officer at NFG. I’ve worked in the business for 10 years in several senior finance roles, mostly in a commercial finance capacity and my previous role was as Finance Director. I moved into the CFO role in Nov 22.
What was your experience before coming to NFG?
Before joining the group, I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2003 and initially gained experience in the leisure sector. My last role before joining NFG was with a private schools group, running the finance shared service centre.
What do you like most about your role and working for the group?
I enjoy analysing and presenting data that helps the operational teams to have a greater insight on performance. As CFO, I have a wider responsibility to ensure that the group complies with our legal and statutory obligations and the functions that I oversee provide a high-quality service. I enjoy meeting and working alongside colleagues from many departments within NFG and seeing the hard work and dedication that everyone puts in day in and day out.
What is your role at NFG and how long have you worked here
Rachael is the Human Resources Director for National Fostering Group, she recently joined the organisation at the start of 2023 and is looking forward to helping shape the National Fostering Group journey.
What was your experience before coming to NFG?
Before joining NFG Rachael most recently worked in the children’s early years education sector which she says was extremely rewarding, having focused on strategic people projects and helping the company through a significant period of growth. Prior to this her background is mainly working for global organisations within the Human Resources function. Rachael has vast experience of people strategy, HR operations, project management, transformation and employee engagement.
What do you like most about your role and working for the group?
People are our biggest assest so making National Fostering Group a great place to work for our incredible teams is at the heart of my role and where I place my commitment and focus. I enjoy making a positive difference to people’s working lives, creating space where colleagues feel valued and supported is my passion.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself?
I have two lovely French bulldogs, called Frank and Walter. They often get up to mischief and love going on long walks!
