Gavin is a well-versed Finance Director and Company Secretary with finance experience, most recently in retail and professional services. Gavin brings over two decades of experience in financial governance and strategic planning. With a proven track record in improving financial management and leading high-performing teams, he is passionate about supporting growing organisations and delivering sustainable financial strategies.

“I choose to serve as a trustee for Home-Start Cambridgeshire because I have a young family and understand the value of supporting families in need. As this is my first trustee position, I am excited to contribute my financial expertise to make a positive difference and help strengthen the organisation’s impact in the community.”

Maggie spent her professional years in a range of educational development roles establishing quality assurance systems that made sure professional standards in education were maintained while still putting learning and the learner at the heart of the process.

During nearly 20 years as a volunteer for Samaritans, Maggie was part of the training team in both Sheffield and Cambridge and Chair of trustees for the Cambridge branch.  She has been a parish councillor for 7 years and also volunteers at her local theatre.

Maggie has three adult children and a growing number of grandchildren and step-grandchildren – currently standing at 6.  Trying to find time to be with them, when they all live in different towns, none of them in Cambridgeshire, is a continuous and delightful challenge. The final pieces of the household jigsaw are a hyperactive collie dog, two neurotic cats and a long-suffering husband.

“I became a Trustee for Home-Start Cambridgeshire because I found myself wishing that this service had been available when I was struggling with my own children, and, even more so, when those children themselves became parents.  Children will always present challenges, but trying to meet those when suffering with issues such as postnatal depression, or realising that your child has a disability, can be exhausting, isolating, and just plain scary. Home-Start Cambridgeshire offers support for families who need another person to help them get through the week.  Having a very small part to play as a trustee in guiding the charity to be in a position to meet those needs is incredibly fulfilling for me, and, hopefully, useful for our staff, volunteers, and families using the service we offer.”

Chloe joined the board of trustees of Home-Start Cambridgeshire as a first time trustee in November 2023. 

She was inspired to become a Trustee after completing a project for the Charities Aid Foundation where she heard first-hand from charitable organisations about the importance of having a diverse, active and involved board of Trustees. 

Chloe ran her own business for over 10 years, exiting that in the summer of 2023 and embarking on an Executive MBA at Cambridge University. She has one daughter, a husband and a little black cat. 

“I choose to serve as a trustee for Home-Start Cambridgeshire because I am passionate about supporting families through challenging times and believe in the power of community-led, early interventions creating positive, lasting change in children’s lives. I’ve seen first-hand how charities are only as robust and diverse as its board of trustees, motivating me to lend my skills to Home-Start Cambridgeshire. In return, I gain valuable insights into non-profit governance, deepening my understanding of the third sector as well as enriching my personal growth and professional development.”

Fiona was born and grew up in Cambridge, and now lives in Suffolk where she works on a Diocese of Ely project ‘Changing Market Towns’.

Work and a husband in the NHS took her to Oxford, Sheffield, Newcastle upon Tyne and London. Her career has chiefly been as a university administrator, with a 3-year secondment into the Civil Service in Newcastle as a project manager on regional regeneration projects.

She was a Magistrate for 15 years, and a volunteer with Home-Start Royston and South Cambs for 5 very happy years and lived in Southern France for 4 years where she taught English. Two adult children, four adult step-children, and four grandchildren (at the last count).

Nina joined the Board of Trustees in November 2023.  Nina lives in Cambridgeshire and has one young son.

Nina has spent over twenty years working within financial services and brings extensive governance, risk and transformation skills to the team.

“I choose to serve as a trustee for Home-Start Cambridgeshire because it gives me the opportunity to leverage a skill set developed over many years in corporate roles, in order to help an important local charity and it’s beneficiaries.  It’s great to make a difference and to witness the real impact across local communities.”

Miriam joined Home-Start in the autumn of 2025, following a successful career in marketing well-known food brands. Her passion for supporting children’s wellbeing and happiness has always been close to her heart. As a trustee and Home Visiting volunteer, Miriam is now dedicated to helping families with young children during challenging times. When she’s not working, you’ll find her practicing yoga, attending gigs and festivals, skiing down mountain slopes, or embarking on new adventures in her camper van.

“I choose to serve as a trustee for Home-Start Cambridgeshire because I genuinely believe in the incredible impact they have. The support and care they provide to families in need can make a profound difference, not only for the children but for the entire family. Knowing that through Home-Start, we can help ease the challenges many parents face and create a positive environment for children to grow up in, is something that resonates deeply with me. It’s a cause I’m truly passionate about, and one that I’m incredibly proud to be a part of.”

With a background in marketing operations within the technology sector, Janet specialises in transforming strategic marketing plans into actionable initiatives by aligning people, processes, technology and resources. Beyond her professional experience, she is a mother to two young boys, and it was through this journey into parenthood — marked by both immense joy and real challenges — that she came to appreciate just how vital early support is for families. Becoming a parent during the height of the pandemic opened her eyes to the emotional and practical hurdles so many face.

“I’m proud to serve as a trustee for Home-Start Cambridgeshire, contributing both my professional skills and personal insight to a cause that means a great deal to me.”

Julia is delighted to join the Board of Trustees for Home-Start Cambridgeshire. She is looking forward to using her professional expertise to support the charity and help families during the most formative time of a child’s life. Julia is eager to learn more about how the charity operates and to contribute to improving the lives of families. As a mother of three, combined with her background in commercial, healthcare, and scientific sectors, she hopes to add value and bring additional perspective to support the already excellent Home-Start Cambridgeshire team.

“I choose to serve as a trustee for Home-Start Cambridgeshire to support a cause that offers struggling families a lifeline when they may need it the most.”