Chief Executive Officer Karen has worked and volunteered within the children’s voluntary sector for over 25 years, in sector development including safeguarding, workforce reform, play and early years Expand As CEO of Children’s Links, and throughout her working life Karen has focused on partnership working and sees it as an integral part of daily work, providing opportunities to influence and develop services, whilst ensuring the voice of the local voluntary and the community are heard. Karen strongly believes in the ethos of an integrated environment, making the best use of resources available to us and adding value to ensure better outcomes for all. To achieve this Karen ensures that the performance of the organisation meets the needs of beneficiaries and stakeholders by engaging the team through a continuous cycle of analysis, strategic planning, monitoring, evaluation and review.
Senior Management Team We are a small dynamic management team that work across the charity and Linking Up. Expand CEO - Mrs Karen Parsons Deputy CEO - Ms Rachel Aylmer Relationship Manager - Miss Linzi Elliott
Mrs Kate Truscott - Chair of the Board of Trustees Kate has recently retired as Director of Human Resources & Diversity Humber Foundation Trust. Expand Kate has 18 years’ experience as a Director of Workforce and Human Resources in the NHS and brings more than 35 years as a Human Resources professional. Kate first joined us as a Trustee in November 1999 and was our Chair from December 2003 for six years. She was re-appointed in July 2013
Mrs Thomasin Nicholds - Trustee Thomasin has spent much my of her working life with community organisations nationally and locally, working in partnership developing projects and services that deliver positive change with local people and for the organisations themselves. Expand Taking this interest into a Higher Education environment, Thomasin is a Psychology Lecturer specialising in Psychology of community and organisations, teaching on a degree programme and supporting students to access opportunities and experiences that reflect their learning. She brings experience of operational and strategic leadership to the Board with a direct understanding of the services delivered by Children’s Links.
Ms Rachel Croft - Trustee Rachel Croft has 18 years experience within the learning and skills sector and is currently a Risk Assessment Manager with the Education and Skills Funding Agency. Expand Outside of work, Rachel is a keen swimmer and enjoys reading and is looking to carry out some further volunteering work. She joined the board of Children’s Links in December 2012.
Mr Al Wright - Trustee Al believes that being aTrustee with Children's Links is giving him the opportunity to to use his Corporate and SME Technology skillset to compliment Children's Links wealth of Charity Sector experience. Expand Al joined the Board of Trustees in November 2016. His experience is allowing him to contribute to the Board in shaping the delivery of a range of innovative services on a National scale.
Ms Sarah Buik - Trustee Sarah brings senior leadership experience gained in SME & PLC businesses, latterly as Head of Strategy within a FTSE 250 organisation where she led their acquisition and change programmes. Expand Sarah also volunteers with a range of other charities and public sector organisations to help to improve the lives of the people they serve. In her spare time she is usually found exploring the Lincolnshire Wolds on her bike or with her dog. Sarah joined our board in 2021.