Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Hestia
  • Newsletter
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
DonateContact us Exit site
Menu
  • About us
    • Our journey
    • Our organisation
    • Our team
      • Our Directors
      • Our Trustees
    • Where we work
    • Work with us
      • Career opportunities
      • What's it like working at Hestia?
      • Commission Us
  • What we do
    • Our support
    • Advocacy
    • Domestic Abuse Prevention
  • Ways to give
    • Donate now
    • Support an appeal
    • Fundraise for us
      • Set up a fundraising page
      • Sponsor a fundraiser
      • Hestia's Challenge Events
    • Where your money goes
  • Get involved
    • Volunteer
    • Become a charity partner
  • Latest
    • News
    • Stories
    • Blog
    • Media office
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. About us
  2. Our team
  3. Our Directors

Our Directors

Mel Cox

Director of Human Resources

Expand

Mel joined Hestia in April 2013, bringing more than 25 years’ experience of establishing and leading high performing HR teams within a breadth of sectors including: Manufacturing, Blue Chip, Facilities Management, Public Services and Third Sector incorporating Research, Pharmaceutical and Retail. Mel’s career to date has bridged both specialist and generalist areas of Human Resources with a particular focus on organisational change and development. She was formerly Human Resources Director at Cancer Research UK and HR Change Director at OCS.

She is a Psychology graduate and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Published: 26th April, 2018

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Christopher Clarke

Director of Finance

Expand

After graduating with a degree in Business Studies and Accounting from Edinburgh University in 1985, Chris trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG in their Edinburgh office.  Following qualification, Chris worked with a number of housing associations, including Berwickshire Housing Association, the first local authority transfer in Scotland.

Chris also spent time as a Finance Manager with Scottish Homes in Dundee, the national housing agency, working on regulation and investment.  In 2000 he moved to Surrey to take up the role of Finance Director with Elmbridge Housing Trust, and moved into the role of Group Finance Director at Paragon Community Housing Group, when Elmbridge merged with Richmond Upon Thames Churches Housing Trust.  He took up the role of Director of Finance with Hestia in 2009.

Published: 26th April, 2018

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Jo Tilley-Riley

Director of Fundraising and Communications

Expand

Jo leads the Fundraising, Communications and Policy teams at Hestia. She is an expert in social sector strategy and communications, having led the communications team at Big Society Capital (where she was also founding Chair of Good Finance), worked as a communications consultant to social sector organisations and run a small digital agency that she helped found.

Jo began her career as a fundraiser, working first with the British Red Cross, and then for five years with The Irene Taylor Trust ‘Music in Prisons’. She is a Trustee of Pro Bono Economics and was Chair of Relate London SE until 2014. She is a Clore Social Fellow 2015 and as part of her Fellowship was seconded with the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and published research on the impact of home raids on children.

Published: 26th April, 2018

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Gayle Lowery-Jones

Executive Director of Services

Expand

Gayle joined Hestia in 2014 as Deputy Director of Operations before becoming Regional Director in 2016. Gayle previously worked for St Mungo’s since 2001 and her previous roles included leading St Mungo’s national expansion programme, securing and implementing over £25m of new business across the South West. Gayle was previously the Substance Use Team Regional Manager for St Mungo’s, heading up organisational clinical governance around needle exchanges, BBV clinics and substitute prescribing provision and advising the organisational Alcohol Working Party.

Gayle started her professional career as a volunteer with a small independent charity and is dedicated to supporting volunteers to bring their experience to Hestia and in empowering service users to co-produce services with us.Gayle is a Psychology graduate, a qualified trainer and holds numerous Health and Social Care vocational qualifications

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 14th June, 2022

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Patrick Ryan

Chief Executive

Expand

Patrick Ryan Chief Executive Hestia

Patrick joined Hestia as CEO in March 2002 from Centrepoint, where he had managed services, development and statutory income. Since 2002 Hestia has grown from a £4 million West London agency to a pan-London £24 million turnover provider of a range of services, while retaining its focus on its service users.

Patrick has significant governance experience and has been trustee of a number of local, London wide and National agencies. Patrick has chaired a range of provider forums and has also been a co-opted to sit on Local Authority Oversight and Scrutiny committees. Patrick is a UKCP registered psychoanalytic psychotherapist and an NUI graduate.

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 19th January, 2022

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Nahar Choudhury

Regional Director of Operations

Expand

Nahar joined Hestia in 2020 as Regional Director of Operations.

Nahar has worked in Housing and the Voluntary and Community Sector for over 20 years. She has worked as a Senior Manager for organisations across London and Sussex including Centrepoint and Nacro.

Nahar has always worked with a diverse client group with multiple and complex needs. As CEO of an Asian Women’s organisation - Nahar developed Domestic Abuse services for BAME women and a Forced Marriage programme in London schools.

Nahar has worked in Criminal Justice overseeing a national Ministry of Justice contract for Bail and Accommodation services.  She has led on transformation of mental health services in partnership with the NHS including implementation of a Lead Provider Model, development of an innovative Personality Disorder service and Recovery Services. 

Nahar has been a trustee and volunteer with services that support women and BAME communities including an RSL and BAME charities.

Published: 22nd June, 2021

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Back to top

Showing 10 of 6

Latest

  • Cost of living crisis: Help keep Hestia's emergency domestic abuse accommodation open

    Cost of living crisis: Help keep Hestia's emergency domestic abuse accommodation open

    The cost of rehoming a woman and two children after fleeing domestic abuse has increased by £5,000 in two years

  • Domestic abuse refuge crisis due to cost-of-living hikes

    Domestic abuse refuge crisis due to cost-of-living hikes

    The cost of living crisis has led to a 30% increase in demand for domestic abuse support.

  • Camden Crisis Sanctuary

    A safe space for people struggling with their mental health in Camden

  • Hestia welcomes new Violence Against Women & Girls strategy unveiled by Mayor of London

    Hestia welcomes new Violence Against Women & Girls strategy unveiled by Mayor of London

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has unveiled a new Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) strategy with prevention at the heart of its new public health approach.

Most read

  • Career opportunities

    Career opportunities

    Start your career today to help adults and children in crisis.

  • Bright Sky app

    Bright Sky app

    The Bright Sky app provides support for those experiencing domestic abuse as well as those concerned about friends and family members

  • Domestic Abuse

    Domestic Abuse

    Hestia provides domestic abuse support services in London and the south east, including domestic abuse refuges and community-based support.

  • Contact Us

    Contact Us

    Contact Hestia

  • Volunteer today

    Volunteer today

    Apply for your volunteering role

  • Mental Health & Complex Needs

    Mental Health & Complex Needs

    Hestia provides a wide range of mental health support to adults in London.

  • Where we work

    Click on an area of London to see which services we provide

  • Our journey

    Our journey

    Because there is life beyond a crisis.

  • Privacy Policy

    Privacy Policy

    At Hestia, we value the support and engagement people have with our charity. From our service users and their families, Trustees, staff, students, volunteers, donors or campaigners – each person is a valued part of our organisation and the support we provide.

  • Art Is Freedom

    Art Is Freedom

    Art Is Freedom is Hestia's annual art exhibition, featuring art and photography by survivors of modern slavery.

Tag cloud

50 Voices 50 Years Better Lives Forum Blog Coronavirus Domestic Abuse Everyones Business Mental Health Modern Slavery News Older People Our Anniversary Stories UK SAYS NO MORE Underground Lives Volunteering
Our journey

Our journey

Because there is life beyond a crisis. Read more

Published: 6th March, 2018

Updated: 20th May, 2022

Author:

Hestia appoints Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Hestia appoints Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Crisis charity Hestia has appointed its first Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Samantha Uwadiae. Read more

Published: 16th June, 2022

Updated: 22nd June, 2022

Author: Charlotte Robinson

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Login
  • Logout
  • Manager
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Modern Slavery Statement
  • Careers 

Hestia is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under number 20 20 165 and registered as a Charity number 294 555

Registered office Maya House, 134-138 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1LB 

Please delete your web browser history to stay safe online