Meet our team

Clare started as a consultant with the Naval Children’s Charity in 2008 and became Chief Executive in 2018. She has a background in Fundraising, Strategy and Charity expertise. She is Co-Chair of the Educational Trusts Forum, Chair of the SCiP Alliance Management Group and the Cobseo Children’s Cluster, bringing together practitioners supporting Military children from tri-service organisations.  She was the General Manager and founder of Winston’s Wish West Sussex, the child bereavement charity. She has a degree in Engineering and holds City & Guilds in Upholstery and Design and was formerly a member of the Association of Lighting Designers, working in the Theatre industry as a Lighting Designer throughout the 1980/90s. She was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours 2023 for her work with Naval families.

Sara has been working for the Naval Children’s Charity since August 2015, initially starting as a caseworker and now as Head of Operations, responsible for the team of caseworkers and charitable delivery. She previously worked for the Naval Families Federation and RN FPS. She has been a Naval spouse for 28 years and became a Naval mum when her son joined the RN in 2019. Her lived experience from being in a Service family is one of her main strengths and helps every day in her role with the charity, as she understands the challenges that some of our families are dealing with, and giving the empathy to empathise and identify the support that they and their children require.

Jo McEvoy joins us as Head of Finance following a successful track record with over 30 years experience in the charity and not-for profit arena. Jo is FMATT qualified and is experienced in key financial processes, implementing change, monitoring financial performance, minimising financial risk, forecasting, payments, and general accounting duties. Prior to joining the NCC Jo worked for over 17 years as a Business and Finance Manager for a national fishing charity and was a key member of their Senior Management Team leading on all financial matters from payments to year end audits.

Kim runs our Life Chances Programme, developing projects and supporting and managing our Youth Council.  Working in education outreach for 7 years prior to joining the NCC in 2024, Kim is incredibly passionate about promoting fair opportunities for all young people, regardless of their background and circumstances. Bringing her experience of project and events management to NCC, Kim has worked in a variety of roles designing and delivering programmes for young people and their supporters.

Samantha has extensive experience in the voluntary sector, having worked across community youth provision, animal welfare, neuro-disability and infrastructure charities across varied communities. She has held a variety of roles, including Fundraising, Regional Development, Infrastructure Development and CEO. She has served as a trustee for a community grant making organisation and a local community craft charity.

She believes that everyone should have the life chances and support, when they need it, to access opportunities, activities and information that lead to a better, fulfilling and happy life.  

After graduating in English Literature, Caroline spent 16 years in London as an Executive Assistant within the media and financial sectors, returning to her hometown of Portsmouth following the birth of her first child.

Prior to joining NCC Caroline was Secretary at the Globe & Laurel Magazine (the Journal of the Royal Marines) for 5 years where she gained great insight into Corps life and working for a Charitable organisation.

Before coming to NCC, Cheryl was a College Lecturer for 10 years following roles in the community as a Parent Liaison Officer and Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator/Library Manager in a primary school. Prior to this she was employed by the NHS as a Personal Assistant to Consultant oncologist and urologists. She has experience in the Naval community.

Angela initially trained as a Midwife and enjoyed this career for over 10 years before taking time out to have a family of her own with her Royal Navy partner. She then moved on to become a caseworker for Citizens Advice, advocating for vulnerable families in need of support and joint working with Social Services locally. She has experience of supporting families through tough times and understands the complexities of living within the Naval community.

Frankie is a Psychology graduate with a background in mental health and learning disabilities. Having started with the charity in 2022, Frankie has been directly supporting families within the triage role. As a Naval child and now Naval partner herself, she can understand a lot of what our families experience and is passionate about advocating for these families. Frankie also is the lead for neurodiversity and wellbeing. Through this role she has developed resources and maintained partnerships with other organisations.

Daniela is a Portsmouth University graduate where she completed a Masters focusing on international crimes and the role of private military companies in armed conflicts. Daniela previously worked as a community keyworker supporting women in contact with the criminal justice system, with a focus on domestic abuse and women’s issues and this has provided her with experience around housing, benefits and mental health. She joined us a caseworker in 2024 and is our safeguarding and non UK lead. 

Sue joined us in July 2025. Sue is a qualified social worker with many years’ experience working with military families. In the past, Sue has worked with the SSAFA Social Work Service, RNFPS and Anchoring Minds (Solent Mind).

Becky has a Foundation Degree in Childhood Studies and has worked with children and families since 2008 in both education and early years. She has a good understanding of SEND and safeguarding within this. She grew up as a military child, her husband is currently serving, and they have two young children.

After 10 years working within education Chloe decided it was time for a new challenge. As she joins NCC in August 2025, Chloe looks forward to using her skills in pastoral care and safeguarding to pursue her passion for supporting children and their families.

Allison has been working with young people and families in a community setting since 2001. She is part of our Outreach Team based in Helensburgh, Scotland and has been part of NCC since 2023. Her husband is serving submariner and they have two adult children and 1 grandson. Prior to joining NCC Allison worked for a local Youth Charity managing Young Carers Service. She has vast experience in working within the Third Sector and community-based projects supporting children and young people. You will often see her at community engagements and events highlighting our support/opportunities available in Scotland.

Karolina graduated in International Relations with a specialisation in global security and children in conflict areas. She joined the NCC in November 2023 following two years at SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, where she had gained extensive experience navigating the unique challenges faced by the military community. Based in Plymouth, she supports Naval families across the southwest region. With a compassionate and hands-on approach, she engages with families and fosters collaboration with other organisations to provide tailored support for our Naval children and their families. Passionate about making a positive difference, Karolina is a strong advocate for child and animal welfare.