trustees

Sarah Carr OBE, Chair of Trustees
Sarah has chaired the Board since 2001 and was the founder of Kindercare, a group of large nurseries in the North West. Sarah believes strongly that the involvement of members is crucial to the success of NDNA and its ability to represent the sector.

Linda Baston-Pitt, regional chair for the East
Linda is co-founder of Care to Learn Ltd, an 80 place day nursery and nursery school and Care to Learn training centre and is committed to sharing good practice. She is involved in a range of committees and groups, including a local NDNA network.

Lesley Dawson, regional chair for Yorkshire and The Humber - Lesley operates six nurseries in the Leeds area, and has been a trustee for a number of years, bringing to the Board insight and views of members who are working hard to support children and families at a local level.

Jacqueline Drinkwater, national chair for Scotland
A nursery owner, Jacqui has been key in the development of NDNA Scotland and regularly represents the views of members at strategic meetings with organisations including the Scottish Government and Care Commission.

Christopher Gray, regional chair for the North West
Christopher believes a strong voice for day nurseries is essential as the Government moves the childcare agenda forward and he represents on a range of groups, including an NDNA network and the managing committee of a children’s centre.

Val Holland, regional chair for the East Midlands
As a long-standing member of NDNA, Val has run her own nurseries for many years and has also been involved with the local NDNA network. Val is well-placed to represent the issues of nurseries at a national level.

Tina Jones, national chair for Wales Tina has been managing director of her own nursery for many years and has supported the growth of NDNA Cymru to develop strong relationships with the Welsh Government and CSSIW. Tina supports NDNA Cymru in representing the views of members at various meetings.

Hazel Moody, regional chair for the South East Hazel believes strongly that all members share common problems and issues as they work to deliver the best care for young children, and she is keen to share her knowledge and experience in this area.

June O'Sullivan, regional chair for London
As Chief Executive of Westminster Children’s Centres, a social enterprise, June works hard to raise the profile of the voluntary childcare sector and is involved with a range of national and local organisations and has contributed to initiatives including children’s centres.

Mary Tee, regional chair for the West Midlands
With long-standing experience in the childcare sector, Mary believes in the importance of acting as a ‘local’ voice for members and believes that members have a vital contribution to make to the national debate on childcare.

Penny Vaughan-Pipe, regional chair for the South West Penny is active within national and local organisations and also plays an active role in her local Chamber. She also represents NDNA members at local partnership meetings.

Karen Veitch, regional chair for the North East
As owner of Emerald Nurseries and Children’s Centres, Karen works with the local NDNA network and sits on various groups to work to improve policy implementation and practice.

Kevin Emsley, Co-opted Trustee Kevin is the Managing Director of Lupton Fawcett LLP Solicitors in Leeds, bringing a wealth of experience to the NDNA Board. He is a strong advocate of training and education, and is involved with a number of initiatives across West Yorkshire.

Courteney Donaldson, Co-opted Trustee
As Director of Corporate Childcare Sectors at Christie Co, Courteney has a vast range of expertise in the childcare sector and understanding of current trends. Courteney has specialised in the nursery sector since 1999, providing nursery valuation, transactional and consultative advice.

Kathy Sylva OBE, Voluntary National Policy Committee member & Educational Advisor
Kathy Sylva is Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Oxford, Department of Education.She is one of the leaders of the DCSF research on effective pre-school, primary and secondary education (EPPSE) and on the evaluations of the Graduate Leader Fund and the Early Learning Partnership Project.She was specialist Adviser to the House of Commons Select Committee on Education in 2000-2001 and again in 2005-2009. She was awarded an OBE in 2008 for services to children and families.