Our new Chief Executive Officer Polly Neate
We are delighted to be able to welcome our new Chief Executive Polly Neate, who joined us on 4th February.
For the last seven years Polly has worked as Executive Director of External Relations and Communications at Action for Children, one of the UK’s largest children’s charities, and knows only too well the devastating impact of domestic and sexual violence on the lives of both women and children. Before this she was editor of Community Care magazine, a major weekly magazine for professionals in children’s services and social care, and therefore understands the importance of ensuring the inspirational and lifesaving work of the Women's Aid national network can inform and influence the violence against women sector, the government and the wider general public. She has worked with both government and opposition over many years.
Polly Neate says:
“I am proud and excited to be joining Women's Aid as Chief Executive. Women's Aid’s achievements over the past 38 years are inspirational. Thanks to Women’s Aid, there is a national network of violence against women and children services, and laws in place to protect them. However, it is currently a very challenging time for everyone who is working to end violence against women, and the impact of spending choices that are being made means that many established Women's Aid member services are forced to cut vital services, with some being forced to close refuges."
“There are more challenging times ahead, but I am determined to listen to and work with Women's Aid's national network of refuges, outreach services and helplines to ensure we protect the specialist services that save lives every day of the year, and together build a safe and sustainable future. Until women and children are safe.”
Beverley Pass, Co-chair of Women’s Aid says:
"On behalf of the Women's Aid Board of Trustees I would like to say how delighted we are to welcome Polly Neate as our new Chief Executive Officer. Polly brings with her a wealth of experience and skills as well as a real passion and drive for our mission to End Violence Against Women and Girls. We have many challenges ahead of us are we are confident that Polly is the right woman to see us through these; we look forward to working with her and the leadership she will bring to Women's Aid at a national level as well as the support and representation of our members in their work locally."
