The Charity CEO Podcast

This episode looks at leadership, evidence, and systems change in one of the most complex areas of public policy: the criminal justice system. We are joined by two leaders who work at the heart of this system.Anne Fox, outgoing Chief Executive of Clinks, the national infrastructure body that supports and represents voluntary organisations working with people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families. Clinks plays a vital role amplifying frontline voices and ensuring lived experience shapes policy and commissioning.And Dr Ruth Armstrong, Director of Justice Matters. Ruth is a lawyer, academic and criminologist whose work focuses on helping organisations use evidence, and co-production with those who have lived experience, to deliver lasting change.Together, we explore the current state of criminal justice in the UK. What re-imagining the system might look like, how we need to build community for those coming out of the system, and what we all, as a society, need to do to build a world where we can all be safe.It's a provocative conversation. Trigger warnings: we discuss criminality, violent offences and suicide.Recorded February 2026. Episode sponsored by EdenTree Investment ManagementSecret Life of Prisons podcast: Clinks Conference 2026, Lord James Timpson and Anne Foxhttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/live-at-clinks-conference-2026-lord-james-timpson-and/id1481971681?i=1000747623671 

Hayley Roffey and John Hecklinger, Co-CEOs of the Global Fund for Children, advocate for giving children and young people the power to lead change in their communities. They discuss the need for trust-based philanthropy, sharing how GFC supports youth-led initiatives—even for those as young as 10. Hayley emphasizes the importance of engaging boys in gender equity efforts, while John highlights the impact of flexible funding models. They also reflect on their co-leadership style and how it enhances strategy and trust within the organization.

Sarah Elliott started as the new CEO of the UK charity, Shelter, in September 2025, having previously run the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) for 5 years.Shelter exists to defend everyone’s right to a safe home. Campaigning for housing justice since 1966, Shelter has fought hard to change the housing system in the UK.In June 2025, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, announced a £39 Billion investment, for social and affordable housing. The Renters Rights Act, passed in October, also brings much needed, widespread reform to the UK’s private rental sector.A second-time guest on the show, in this episode, Sarah reflects on Shelter’s impact, her approach to leadership, and the joy of working in a cause-led organisation. We explore her experience of partnering with government and now seeing the Civil Society Covenant come to life. She discusses Shelter’s hard-hitting report My Colour Speaks Before Me on racism and discrimination in the housing sector, and shares her vision for the charity’s future.Recorded November 2025.

In August 2021, the Taliban swept back into power in Afghanistan after nearly 20 years, toppling the then democratic government in a matter of days.Adela Raz, was serving as Afghanistan’s Ambassador to the U.S., after having been the country’s first female Permanent Representative to the U.N. She suddenly found herself representing a government that no longer existed. Adela refused to recognise the Taliban’s authority and became an outspoken critic of their oppression of women and girls.As Afghan women were systematically stripped of their rights - banned from school, erased from public life, and essentially silenced - Adela became a fierce advocate against this gender apartheid, demanding action from the international community. Today, she leads Princeton’s Afghanistan Policy Lab, working to keep Afghanistan’s future on the world’s agenda.This is Adela’s personal story, and of her continued fight to champion the rights of women and girls.Recorded February 2025.

Kathy Evans, former CEO of Children England, and Rosie Ferguson, ex-CEO of House of St Barnabas, candidly discuss the complexities of charity closure. They explore whether ending an organization signifies failure or can reflect strategic decision-making. The conversation highlights the importance of sustainability and lessons from their respective closures, emphasizing that impact can endure beyond the organization. They also delve into the emotional toll on teams and the significance of legacy in maintaining social contributions.

Eliza Reid, bestselling author and former First Lady of Iceland, shares her remarkable journey from a Canadian farm to advocating for gender equality. She discusses how Iceland has maintained its top position in gender equality and the importance of collective action. Eliza dives into the challenges of online gender-based violence and emphasizes the need for legal reforms to protect women. Through inspiring stories of Icelandic women, she highlights the power of storytelling in fostering inclusivity and the ongoing commitment necessary for future progress.

Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women’s World Banking and author, reflects on nearly two decades leading global efforts for women’s financial inclusion. She traces the movement’s origins, outlines a bold strategy to reach 100 million women, and explores digital finance, policy barriers, climate resilience, and partnerships to scale access.

Dianne Calvi, CEO of Village Enterprise, aims to lift 20m people in Africa out of poverty. They focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and collective action, using Poverty Graduation Model and evidence-based approach. Partnering with USAID and governments, they strive to end extreme poverty in Rwanda. Dianne's personal story drives her to enable 'full bellies and big dreams' for entrepreneurs in Africa.

“There is a problem! Business has a problem, the world has a problem, because we are just not utilising the talents, the ambitions, the drive of half the world’s population (the female half)... Economic gender justice is essential both for women’s freedom and equality, but also for the development of the world.” We are honoured to have on the podcast, Cherie Blair CBE KC! As the Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, Cherie has been a relentless advocate for women's rights, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Our discussion delves into her vision for the Foundation, her journey as a leading barrister and King's Counsel in the male-dominated legal profession, and the gendered challenges women still confront today. Cherie is of course, the wife of the former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and is an inspiration to women across the world. Recorded January 2024. Guest BiographyCherie Blair CBE, KC is a leading King’s Counsel with over 35 years’ experience. Cherie is a strong advocate for women’s rights and in 2008 she founded the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. The Foundation promotes the financial independence of women in low and middle income countries so that they can be financially independent, have a stronger voice in their societies, and, contribute to their communities. Since its inception, the Foundation has had a significant and measurable impact on the lives of more than 250,000 women entrepreneurs in 105 countries especially in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.Cherie is actively involved in the Foundation, travelling internationally to visit projects and donors and to advocate for women entrepreneurs globally.Cherie studied law at the London School of Economics (LSE) and is also the Founder and Chair of the pioneering law firm Omnia Strategy where she focuses on cross-border dispute resolution, commercial arbitration, mediation and human rights.Cherie was awarded a CBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours List for services to women’s issues and to charities in both the UK and overseas. She is the wife of former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair. They have 4 children and 8 grandchildren.LinksWww.cherieblairfoundation.org 

Trigger warning: This episode explores and talks about miscarriage, stillbirth and baby loss. Baby loss and miscarriage is something that many parents face and yet it is still something that is not openly talked about in today’s society. In this very special episode, I speak with Karen Burgess, Founder & CEO of the charity Petals, that provides counselling support to families affected by baby loss. Karen and I are joined by Alice. Alice shares with us the story of her daughter, Vera, and the journey that she and her husband, Dave, have been on with Petals. Together we seek to dispel the stigma surrounding baby loss and encourage those who need support to reach out to specialist services like Petals.   Recorded August 2023. Guest BiographyKaren Burgess is the Founder and CEO of Petals, The Baby Loss Counselling Charity.Karen has been a practising counsellor since 1998. Alongside running a successful private practice, she gained wide-ranging experience across schools, the NHS, addiction units, workplaces and hospital settings. Since founding the organisation in 2011, Karen has grown Petals into a national charity, with 35 counsellors delivering over 6,000 specialist counselling sessions every year. Karen has become a leading player in influencing change in the field of baby loss support and in raising awareness of the need for psychological support for bereaved parents. Karen is a member of the Pregnancy and Baby Charities Network, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Baby Loss and the International Stillbirth Alliance (ISA).Alice Bailey is a clinical nurse specialist originally from Sheffield. She now lives in Surrey with her husband, Dave, and their three boys, Fred, Ralf and Will. In 2016, Alice and Dave became first-time parents to their daughter Vera. Vera was sadly stillborn at 38 weeks. Alice and Dave have since been supported by Petals, who have been by their side every step of the way.  Linkswww.petalscharity.org