Naomi Neiland Executive Director of Fundraising and Communications Expand Naomi joined Hestia as the Executive Director of Fundraising and Communications in September 2023 bringing over 20 years of leadership experience in the charity and public sector. Passionate about delivering impact to tackle inequality and provide effective support for those who need it the most, she has led work across fundraising, communications, and volunteering globally and within the UK. In 2011, as Head of Volunteering and Fundraising for the University College Hospital, she designed and delivered an award-winning volunteer programme central to improving patient experience and set up their UCH Cancer Fund. From 2014, Naomi worked for Macmillan Cancer Support for six years, where she set up and led the organisation’s Fundraising and Service Liaison Team’ which was responsible for telling the organisation’s story (case for support) to help deliver Macmillan’s £250m+ fundraising programme. Most recently she was the Director of Development, Communications, and Impact for Transparency International UK, an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit that works with partners across the world to end the injustice of corruption. Naomi is a graduate from the University of Bristol with a BSc in Philosophy and Economics and later went on to complete an MSc in Economics and Social Policy Analysis at University of York. Naomi is also Executive Sponsor of Hestia’s UCAN Network, our Disability Diversity Group which aims to engage and support staff and service users with specific protected characteristics.
Mel Cox Executive Director People, Technology and Change 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.
Gayle Lowery-Jones Executive Director of Services Expand Gayle joined Hestia in 2014 as Deputy Director of Operations before becoming Regional Director in 2016, and Executive Director of Services in 2022. She has also held the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead since 2017. In her current role, Gayle leads Hestia’s Operations Team, Integrated Business Development Team, and the Volunteering Team. She was integral in supporting our service user group to rebrand as The Together Network in early 2024. 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 Gayle is also Executive Sponsor of Hestia’s LGBTQ+ Network, set up to champion the voices, experiences, and opportunities for LGBTQ+ people.
Patrick Ryan Chief Executive Expand Patrick joined Hestia as CEO in March 2002 during which time it has grown from a small West London charity, to delivering life changing services across London, including supporting survivors of domestic abuse, modern slavery and those struggling with their mental health. It is the home of domestic abuse and sexual violence campaign UK SAYS NO MORE which developed Safe Spaces to enable victims of domestic abuse to access support on their local high street. Under Patrick’s leadership, Hestia developed the Bright Sky domestic abuse app with Vodafone and its Everyone’s Business programme offers bespoke domestic abuse support to employers, running alongside the free Respond to Abuse advice line and website. Patrick is a UKCP registered psychoanalytic psychotherapist with a particular interest in trauma.