Meet our team

We strive to build excellent relationships with our Partners and all our customers by working together to meet their challenges and priorities.

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Meet our team

Senior Leadership Team

Dez Holmes

Director, Strategic Director for Practice and Programmes, NCB

Dez Holmes

Dez is responsible for the overall leadership of Research in Practice. She is interested in knowledge mobilisation, systems leadership, adolescence, transitions, safeguarding and participative practice. For enquiries please contact Lauren Chatfield.

07966071377

dez.holmes@researchinpractice.org.uk

Susannah Bowyer

Deputy Director Children and families

Susannah Bowyer

Susannah leads the Research in Practice children and families team on core delivery to the Partnership network, as well as a range of commissioned project activities.

07880710303

susannah.bowyer@researchinpractice.org.uk

Lisa Smith

Deputy Director Adults

Lisa Smith

Lisa leads the Research in Practice adults team overseeing the delivery of our services to Partners, and leading on commissioned projects. She is particularly interested in safeguarding adults, co-production, systems re-design and supporting organisational change.

01803 847262

lisa.smith@researchinpractice.org.uk

Mairi-Anne Macdonald

Deputy Director Development and Innovation

Mairi-Anne Macdonald

Mairi-Anne leads on business development which includes approaches to learning, workforce development, marketing & communications, web, project support, finance, business support and new business development, as well as some commissioned activities.

07585 221746

mairianne.macdonald@researchinpractice.org.uk

Research and Development

Jess McEwen

Research and Development Manager

Jess McEwen

Jess oversees our annual delivery programme, developing resources for Partners to support them to embed evidence-informed approaches to practice with adults and carers. Jess is a registered social worker, with more than 20 years’ experience working across social care practice, policy, research, workforce development and regulation.

jess.mcewen@researchinpractice.org.uk

Lauren Page-Hammick

Research and Development Manager

Lauren Page-Hammick

lpage-hammick@ncb.org.uk

Fidelma Hanrahan

Senior Research and Development Officer

Fidelma Hanrahan

Fidelma is based in the children and families team and leads on the delivery of resources across a number of practice areas. Having previously held academic research roles which focused on the experiences of young people in care and care leavers, she also champions the use of research within the organisation and has particular responsibility for ensuring quality research is embedded into all outputs.

fidelma.hanrahan@researchinpractice.org.uk

Julie Wilkinson

Senior Research and Development Officer

Julie Wilkinson

Julie works in the children and families team and leads on the delivery of resources across a number of topic areas. She also works on commissioned research and evaluation projects.

julie.wilkinson@researchinpractice.org.uk

Alison Domakin

Senior Research and Development Officer

Alison Domakin

Alison has worked in the children and families sector for thirty years as a social worker, manager and academic. She is based in the children and families team at Research in Practice and leads on the delivery of resources across a number of topic areas. She is interested in developing new evidence-informed ways of learning from practice, particularly one-to-one and group supervision.

alison.domakin@researchinpractice.org.uk

Sherrelle Parke

Senior Research and Development Officer

Sherrelle Parke

Sherrelle is a Senior Research and Development Officer at Research in Practice and leads on the delivery of resources across adult social care. She has over a decade of professional research training and experience within the UK Civil Service as a social researcher, including leading on projects in Youth Justice, national housing policy and population ageing. Her later career includes managing research in local government transformation, maternal health, marginalised communities, international COVID-related research, and pro bono evaluation projects for smaller organisations.

sparke@ncb.org.uk

Melika Malone-Lee

Research and Development Officer

Melika Malone-Lee

Melika works with Partners across adult services to to embed knowledge, skills and resources into their organisations and wider networks. She also works closely in producing information for our publications and in designing workshops, webinars and other digital content. She is interested in human rights and social justice.

melika.malone-lee@researchinpractice.org.uk

Susan Ridpath

Research and Development Officer

Susan Ridpath

Susan works with Partners across Child and Families services to embed knowledge, skills and resources into their organisations and wider networks. She also helps to ensure the voice of children and families is amplified in our resources. She is a social worker and brings her experience of supporting children and young people with care experience to the role. She is particularly passionate about ensuring children, young people and their families are at the centre of decision-making about their own care and support.

susan.ridpath@researchinpractice.org.uk

Claire Williams

Research and Development Officer

Claire Williams

Claire is currently working on the Creating Care Partnerships and ConnectED NIHR projects supporting the development of Research Practice Partnerships in Adult Social Care. She also leads on topics for the delivery programe and manages the Social Work Organisational Resilience Diagnostic (SWORD) project. She supports the Partner Engagement team around the wellbeing and resilience topics.

claire.williams@researchinpractice.org.uk

Hannah Scott

Research and Development Officer

Hannah Scott

Hannah works with Partners in children & families, young people and adult services to support them in using our evidence-informed resources.

hannah.scott@researchinpractice.org.uk

Georgina Chetwynd

Research and Development Officer

Georgina Chetwynd

Georgina helps produce information and content for our publications across children, families and adults services. This includes helping to design workshops, webinars and other digital content. She works with partners to support them in using our evidence-informed resources. She is a qualified social worker.

georgina.chetwynd@researchinpractice.org.uk

Rachel Fitzsimons

Research and Development Officer

Rachel Fitzsimons

Rachel helps to produce content for our publications and resources across children & families, young people and adult services. Rachel works with our partners to support them in using our evidence-informed resources.

rachel.fitzsimons@researchinpractice.org.uk

Ofelia Torres

Research and Development Officer

Ofelia Torres

Ofelia works with partners across children, families, and adult services to support them in using our evidence-informed resources. She has a background in Public Health-Global Health and Women and Children's Health with experience of delivering interdisciplinary research. She is passionate about ensuring children, young people and their families have equitable access to services and support.

otorres@ncb.org.uk

Lauren Beamish

Research and Development Officer

Lauren Beamish

Lauren works to produce our evidence-informed resources and supports Research in Practice partners to use them effectively. Lauren’s background is in education and social care. She has previously lectured in further and higher education, with specialism in psychology and child development. She also has a wealth of experience working in front line social care roles. Lauren is particularly passionate about the integration of theory, research, and lived experience in practice.

lbeamish@ncb.org.uk

Emily Smith

Senior Learning and Development Officer

Emily Smith

Emily supports the development of evidence-informed resources for Partners across a range of topics. This includes helping to create the content of workshops, webinars, publications and other digital resources. Emily is a qualified social worker.

emily.smith@researchinpractice.org.uk

Megan Kenny

Senior Learning and Development Officer

Megan Kenny

Megan is a Senior Learning and Development Officer who supports the development of evidence-informed resources across a range of topics for various partners. This includes helping to create workshops, webinars, publications and other digital resources. She spent several years working for various charities including Rape Crisis and also worked for Public Health England. Her most recent role was within Higher Education and she has led on research projects around various topics including sexual health and working with survivors of trauma.

mkenny@ncb.org.uk

Joey Hulin

Learning and Development Officer (maternity leave)

Joey Hulin

Joey works with children and families partner organisations to support them in using our evidence-informed resources. She supports development of an accessible and varied menu of learning and development workshops which meet the needs of the social care sector. She has a background in project management, community engagement and training in the third sector, and has a particular interest in mental health and wellbeing.

joey.hulin@researchinpractice.org.uk

Ali Huntley

Learning and Development Officer

Ali Huntley

Ali works with Adults partner organisations to support them in using our evidence-informed resources. She supports the Senior Learning and Development Officer to develop the Online Menu Workshop and requests for large scale projects, programmes and commissioned workshops for partners and other organisations.

ali.huntley@researchinpractice.org.uk

Rachel Lovett

Learning and Development Officer

Rachel Lovett

Rachel works with children and families partner organisations to support them in using our evidence-informed resources. She supports development of an accessible and varied menu of learning and development workshops which meet the needs of the social care sector. Rachel has a background in education and training and is a qualified teacher.

rachel.lovett@researchinpractice.org.uk

Partner Engagement

Geoff Owen

Head of Partner Engagement

Geoff Owen

Geoff leads our Partner Engagement team and manages our Account Management service. Geoff’s work focuses on developing, maintaining and strengthening the relationships between Research in Practice and our network of Partners.

01143 122610

geoff.owen@researchinpractice.org.uk

Louise Johnstone

Senior Partner Engagement Officer

Louise Johnstone

Before joining Research in Practice Louise spent over ten years supporting practitioners and managers in social care to engage with research. She was a Link Officer for most of that time. Since joining she has developed significant experience in Partner Engagement and is passionate about building strong relationships with our network of Partners. Working with them creatively to ensure they get maximum benefit from using our resources in practice.

07964 750975

louise.johnstone@researchinpractice.org.uk

Melissa Vernal

Partner Engagement Officer

Melissa Vernal

Melissa is a qualified social worker and former children's rights advocate. Joining Research in Practice as a Practice Engagement Officer, her focus is supporting partners to ensure they get maximum benefit from using our resources in practice. Melissa's background has predominantly been with children in care and care leavers. Her past career experience means she has an excellent understanding of how to support practitioners to engage with research.

melissa.vernal@researchinpractice.org.uk

Jessica Broome

Practice Engagement Officer

Jessica Broome

Jessica works in the Practice Engagement team supporting partners to ensure they get maximum benefit from using our resources in practice. Jessica has worked with Research in Practice for over 9 years, both as an Account Manager and in the Tailored Support team. Her background is in designing and implementing workforce development programmes to support the use of evidence in practice.

jessica.broome@researchinpractice.org.uk

James Saunders

Practice Engagement Officer

James Saunders

James works in the Practice Engagement team supporting partners to ensure they get maximum benefit from using our resources in practice. James is a qualified social worker with experience working in both adults’ and children’s teams and prior to being a social worker he spent 20 years working in a variety of educational settings

james.saunders@researchinpractice.org.uk

Gem Kitcher

Partner Engagement Assistant

Gem Kitcher

Gem provides administrative support by maintaining records in our database, scheduling meetings with Partners and supporting engagement activity for both the children, families and adult Partner networks.

gem.kitcher@researchinpractice.org.uk

Evaluation and Primary Research

Helen Stacey

Senior Research and Development Manager

Helen Stacey

Helen leads the evaluation and primary research activities at Research in Practice. This includes projects and evaluations with children and young people, families, adults and carers, and professionals across the social care sector.

helen.stacey@researchinpractice.org.uk

Karen Allen

Research Officer

Karen Allen

Karen works in the Research and Evaluation team, assisting on evaluations across children’s and adults’ social care. She has particular interests in quantitative analysis and survey research.

karen.allen@researchinpractice.org.uk

Lorna Trend

Research Officer

Lorna Trend

Lorna works in the Research and Evaluation team, assisting on evaluations across children’s and adults’ social care. She has particular interest in qualitative research.

lorna.trend@researchinpractice.org.uk

Learning and CPD

Neeta Chauhan

Senior CPD Programme Manager

Neeta Chauhan

Neeta is responsible for overseeing the smooth operation of learning events. These include events on our national programme, Online Workshop Menu, bespoke and additional commissions as well as extension projects funded by Government departments such as the Department for Education (DfE).

07857 501826

neeta.chauhan@researchinpractice.org.uk

Ami Fullalove

Learning Programme Officer

Ami Fullalove

Ami is the Learning Programme Officer responsible for the delivery across the children and families and adult sectors of our national delivery programme events which include our hybrid and online conferences.

ami.fullalove@researchinpractice.org.uk

Clare Fielder

Events Assistant

Clare Fielder

Clare provides administrative support to the Learning Programme Coordinator, with the delivery of all events across the children, families and adults national programmes.

clare.fielder@researchinpractice.org.uk

Natalya Yeo

Events Assistant

Natalya Yeo

Natalya provides administrative support to the Learning Programme Coordinator, with the delivery of all events across the children, families and adults national programmes.

Natalya.Yeo@researchinpractice.org.uk

Emma Rawlins

Learning Programme Officer

Emma Rawlins

Emma is the Learning Programme Officer for the Learning Events Team and is the main contact for the Research in Practice CPD events including Online Workshop Menu, additional commissions and bespoke projects.

emma.rawlins@researchinpractice.org.uk

Amy Holgate

Events Assistant

Amy Holgate

Amy supports the Research in Practice Learning and CPD teams assisting with the planning, administration and hosting of their current face-to-face and online events. She has a keen interest in events having completed an Events Management degree.

amy.holgate@researchinpractice.org.uk

Ursula Smith

Events Assistant

Ursula Smith

Ursula provides administrative support to the Learning Programme Coordinators and Events and Projects Officers, with the delivery of all events across the children, families and adults programmes

ursula.smith@researchinpractice.org.uk

Yousrah Beedassy

Events and Projects Coordinator - Adults

Yousrah Beedassy

Yousrah supports the planning of the Online Workshop Menu allocations for adults services alongside the operational planning and delivery of large-scale projects, programmes and commissioned workshops.

yousrah.beedassy@researchinpractice.org.uk

Becca Brookfield

Events and Projects Coordinator - Children & Families

Becca Brookfield

Becca supports the planning of the Online Workshop Menu alongside the operational planning and delivery of large-scale projects, programmes and commissioned workshops.

becca.brookfield@researchinpractice.org.uk

Sarah Wilson

Events and Projects Coordinator - Programmes

Sarah Wilson

Sarah supports the planning and delivery of learning events and CPD programmes, including both commissioned programmes and partner allocations.

sarah.wilson@researchinpractice.org.uk

Shannon Dobinson

Administrative Assistant - Learning Events (maternity leave)

Shannon Dobinson

Shannon provides administrative support to the Learning Programme Coordinators and Events Officers, with the delivery of all events across the children, families and adults programmes.

(maternity leave)

shannon.dobinson@researchinpractice.org.uk

Digital and Communications

Dyfrig Williams

Learning Design Manager

Dyfrig Williams

Dyfrig leads the development of Research in Practice learning activities, podcast and video resources across children, families and adult sectors.

dyfrig.williams@researchinpractice.org.uk

Robin Wooller

Digital Design Officer

Robin Wooller

Robin oversees the design and production of Research in Practice resources in different formats, including publications and digital materials, such as podcasts, videos, webinars and tools. He ensures everything that reaches our Partners is high-quality, clear and consistent.

robin.wooller@researchinpractice.org.uk

Phil John

Technical Support Coordinator

Phil John

Phil supports the delivery of Research in Practice events. With responsibilities for the logistics of running our in-person and live online learning events and activities. Phil is keen to develop and refine approaches both online, in-person and hybrid events to further support evidence–informed practice with children, adults and families.

phil.john@researchinpractice.org.uk

Matthew Osbourn

Senior Websites Manager

Matthew Osbourn

Matthew manages a variety of projects and activities to develop, implement and maintain effective web systems across a range of platforms that communicate and promote the work of Research in Practice.

matthew.osbourn@researchinpractice.org.uk

Amy Rich

Digital Coordinator

Amy Rich

Amy works on a variety of projects and activities to develop, implement and maintain effective web systems across a range of platforms that communicate and promote the work of Research in Practice. Including uploading website content and digital materials, leading on our microsite project activities and working closely with the wider digital team on improving user experience.

amy.rich@researchinpractice.org.uk

Nazia Sadiq

Digital Coordinator

Nazia Sadiq

Nazia supports the development, implementation, and maintenance of web systems at Research in Practice. She manages digital content across various platforms, ensuring consistency and accessibility for users. Nazia works closely with the wider digital team to improve user experience, leads on digital projects such as microsites, and contributes to enhancing the online presence to effectively promote the work and resources of Research in Practice.

nazia.sadiq@researchinpractice.org.uk

Karen Young

Communications, Marketing and Engagement Manager

Karen Young

Karen is responsible for leading the marketing communications team and managing a range of publicity activities for Research in Practice. This includes digital communications, content creation, publicity materials and branding.

karen.young@researchinpractice.org.uk

Lloyd Boone

Digital Communications Officer

Lloyd Boone

Lloyd leads digital communications and oversees a range of projects to develop, implement and maintain effective engagement for Research in Practice. This includes campaign management, digital projects, content creation and user experience.

lloyd.boone@researchinpractice.org.uk

Catrin Wallace

Communications, Marketing and Engagement Assistant

Catrin Wallace

Catrin works on a range of marketing and communication projects for Research in Practice across a number of platforms, including social media, digital communications and publicity materials.

catrin.wallace@researchinpractice.org.uk

Business Support

Chris Green

Operations Manager

Chris Green

Chris leads our administration team providing organisational and administrative support to the business. He supports our workforce development, recruitment and HR practices, implementation of new business process and procedures and coordinates our office management, IT and GDPR processes.

chris.green@researchinpractice.org.uk

Andrea Grimson

Business Support Coordinator

Andrea Grimson

Andrea manages the smooth running of our offices, supports staff recruitment and documents business processes.

07712 323318

andrea.grimson@researchinpractice.org.uk

Lauren Chatfield

Personal Assistant

Lauren Chatfield

Lauren works closely with the Directors, providing strategic external liaison, diary management and administrative support and coordinates governance activity, such as the Partnership Board and Management Team meetings. Her role is to ensure that the Directors are supported by effective administration and that clear lines of communication are enabled between the teams.

lauren.chatfield@researchinpractice.org.uk

Sarah Simpson

Administrative Assistant

Sarah Simpson

Sarah offers administrative assistance along with her colleagues in Business Support to ensure the smooth day to day running of Research in Practice.

sarah.simpson@researchinpractice.org.uk

Paulina Konopka

Administrative Assistant

Paulina Konopka

Paulina offers administrative assistance across all functions of Research in Practice, collaborating closely with diverse teams to ensure effective administration support is provided as required.

paulina.konopka@researchinpractice.org.uk

Brian Bean

Finance Business Partner

Brian Bean

Brian leads the management and oversight of finance coordination processes, ensuring a focus on efficiency, consistency, quality and value for money.

brian.bean@researchinpractice.org.uk

Rhian Creber

Finance Coordinator

Rhian Creber

Rhian raises all of our sales invoices and chases up any overdue payments. She ensures that all income into the organisation is accurately recorded.

rhian.creber@researchinpractice.org.uk

Ena Halford-Toledo

Finance Coordinator

Ena Halford-Toledo

Ena works closely and collaboratively with various teams, ensuring that they are supported with effective finance administration and support as required.

ena.halfordtoledo@researchinpractice.org.uk

Projects and Contracts

Mo Galica

Projects and Contracts Manager

Mo Galica

Mo is responsible for contracting for Research in Practice ensuring all incoming and outgoing contracting is robust and well-managed. Programme management and oversight of a portfolio of projects focusing on efficiency, consistency, quality of project management, ensuring value for money is maintained across the portfolio.

mo.galica@researchinpractice.org.uk

Marion Chan

Contracts and Compliance Officer

Marion Chan

Marion oversees and manages the contracting process for the organisation including ensuring quality assurance processes are in place, risk is monitored, measured and mitigated and contractual compliance is maintained.

marion.chan@researchinpractice.org.uk

Anita Klich

Contracts and Project Support Coordinator

Anita Klich

Anita supports the Projects and Contracts team in all aspects of project management. Her primary focus is around process and system development and improvement, and offering specialist advice to support problem solving.

anita.klich@researchinpractice.org.uk

Grace Akinyemi

Project and Contracts Officer

Grace Akinyemi

Grace is responsible for the project team's delivery activity. She oversees and manages the project delivery ensuring it meets contractual compliance and expectations.

grace.akinyemi@researchinpractice.org.uk

Susannah Ferguson

Project Support Coordinator

Susannah Ferguson

Susannah supports the project team in all aspects of project managment. Her primary focus is in project budget administration and bid process management, she also acts as a point of contact offering specialist advice to support problem solving.

susannah.ferguson@researchinpractice.org.uk

National Programmes

Emma Smale

Assistant Director - Innovation and Development

Emma Smale

Emma leads national programmes, including the Children’s Safeguarding Practice Review Panel Learning Support programme, National Workload Action Group (NWAG) and other commissioned projects. Emma is passionate about convening people from different practices and parts of the system to enable learning, bringing about positive social change through collaboration. She is interested in innovation, systems change, safeguarding, transitional safeguarding, children in care and care leavers.

emma.smale@researchinpractice.org.uk

Raquel Vieth

Senior Innovation and Development Lead

Raquel Vieth

Raquel is a qualified social worker working in the Children & Families practice area for Research in Practice and is currently the operational lead as the co-design partner for Youth Endowment Fund (YEF’s): A Supportive Home project addressing issues of youth violence, child exploitation, and harms outside the home.

Raquel.Vieth@researchinpractice.org.uk

Kath Lythgoe

Project Support Coordinator

Kath Lythgoe

Kath works within the Projects and Contracts team supporting all activity on the National Workload Action Group (NWAG) project and offering specialist advice to support problem solving.

kath.lythgoe@researchinpractice.org.uk