Our Team

Carolyn was previously CEO of Heart of the City, the UK’s largest responsible small business network, and has worked for Amnesty International, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development and the Washington Office on Latin America as well as for the UK and American governments. She holds a BSc in International Law, Organisations and Ethics (Georgetown University), an MSc in International Relations (London School of Economics) and an MBA (Cass Business School).

Nathalie was previously Director of Fundraising for the charity Founders4Schools. She has over 12 years of experience of raising funds for charities including the NSPCC, St Christopher's Fellowship and the Liberal Democrats. She has a BA (Hons) in History and an MA in International Studies from the University of Durham.

Liz joined as Finance Manager from another International Development Charity and is responsible for the Financial Management of CFAB. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant and is also a fellow member of the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) and has significant experience working in both the private and public sectors.

Prior to joining CFAB (in August 2019), Daniella worked as an Executive Assistant to the Director of Children’s Services within Local Government. She has a BA in Criminology and Sociology, and an MA in Criminology (both from the University of Kent, Canterbury). Daniella also volunteers as an Appropriate Adult, and has volunteered internationally, working in Primary schools in Mandeville, Jamaica.

Karen joined CFAB in 2018. She has extensive experience of the charity sector and has been a fundraiser for over 20 years, specialising in Trusts and Foundations. With a PGCE from the Institute of Education and an MA in Participatory Arts from Goldsmiths much of her work has involved supporting children and young people, particularly through art and literacy projects.

Maria joined CFAB in April 2023, with 16 years experience working in the public sector, charity, non-profit and voluntary sector. She is a passionate advocate for equality and protecting peoples rights to a safe and thriving community. She has studied and practiced as a psychotherapist and continued her postgraduate studies in Global Diplomacy and international contexts of social care. She has worked across borders within a safeguarding and advisory context working, whilst strategically following the contemporary climate of social care and immigration policies and the impact it has in the context of the services we operate in.

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Angela joined CFAB in April 2023 as our Local Authority Engagement Manager. She has over 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, working most recently in training delivery within local authorities and previously in retail sales management. She is excited to be working with CFAB and her move to the charity sector.

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Maria is a solicitor with a particular expertise in children’s law with an international element. She is also a doctoral researcher, currently completing a PhD into care proceedings with an international element. Maria worked as a solicitor in private practice for 7 years representing clients in a wide range of matters encompassing international child abduction, jurisdictional disputes concerning children, wardship, committal, forced marriage, and public and private law proceedings.

Sachini joins CFAB with nearly 15 years of experience in Accounting and Finance, Banking, and Education. Originally from Sri Lanka, Sachini has an MBA in Finance and is currently undergoing a MCs in Professional Accounting and the University of East London.

Evie joined CFAB in April 2023 as an Inter-country caseworker and will mainly be operating CFAB's advice line. She has extensive experience working in the education sector within the safeguarding team. She has a BSc degree in Psychology from Arden University and is a qualified Mental Health and Wellbeing Champion.

Brian has a long-standing commitment to the development of research and services in health and social work/social care settings, professional social work, violence and aggression in health and social work/social care settings, and co-production and risk assessment in mental health and children's work.

Ben joined CFAB in 2023 after graduating with a Law degree from Durham University. Previously, Ben worked as a Marketing Coordinator at Avie Records and founded his own non-profit. Whilst working as the Digital Communications Officer at CFAB, he studies MA Cultural and Creative Industries at King's College London.

Sorcha has 24 years in the social work arena, predominantly Child protection. She has worked for Local Authorities and more recently, 19 years with Cafcass, 10 years in management and the latter six years as a Head of Practice for a large geographical region. She holds a Degree in Social Science, Diploma in Social Work and a certificate in Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

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Fiona is a Social Work England registered Social Worker, graduating with a MA in Social Work from Middlesex University, London and a MA in International and Community Development from Deakin University, Australia. She has worked in the human rights sector with statutory agencies and charities in the UK, Australia and the Asia region for over 20 years. She is the Senior Social Worker at CFAB with responsibility for training and developing the capacity of CFAB’s Independent Social Workers overseas, managing complex cases and delivering training to UK Local Authorities. She has specialist knowledge of international law as well as practises and procedures relating to social work cases that cross international borders.

Nadine provides expert advice on CFAB’s inter-country social work cases. She originally qualified as a social worker in Germany and is a registered social worker in the UK. Nadine has worked for a number of London local authorities helping unaccompanied children seeking asylum. She also managed the London Children’s Project, raising awareness of the international elements facing local children’s services. Nadine joined CFAB in 2004.

Michael is responsible for Membership and Training at CFAB. He obtained a Diploma in Law from the University of Jos, Nigeria in 2005 and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Social Administration from the same University in 2012. Michael has a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria. He practised as a licensed social worker in Nigeria where he worked on inter-country child protection cases, which included completing assessments for CFAB on behalf of UK local authorities and UK courts from 2015 - 2019. He subsequently moved to the UK and joined CFAB in September 2019.

Arif joined CFAB in January 2023 as part of the Rank Foundation’s “Time to Shine” leadership placement programme. He assists with CFAB's clerical duties and to the general operation of the office.

Arif graduated with a BSc in International Politics and holds an interest in a broad range of topics including international relations, foreign affairs and the civic sector at wide.

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Karan joins CFAB with 14-years of practicing law expereience. She previously specialies in cross border children law disputes in public law and private law proceedings including international parental child abduction. She left practice in 2015 to pursue her training in psychotherapy which she is currently completing alongside her role on the CFAB advice line.

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Jill is a qualified and experienced Social Worker registered with Social Work England. After completing her MA in Social Work, Jill has worked in various statutory settings and charities.  She has worked in Looked After Children, Child Protection, Adoption and Care Leavers.  She has also specialised in addressing harmful practices. Jill has a particular interest working with refugees and asylum seekers having previously volunteered in relevant, various roles in England, France and Greece. Jill is currently an assessing Social Worker for CFAB’s Family Unification Project.

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Daniella joined CFAB in 2023. She obtained a Master’s social work in 2020 from the University of Middlesex and has experience of working and advocating for children and care leavers in the local authority. Daniella is also an active member of the Ghanaian Social Workers Union based in England.

Ruth obtained her MA in Social Work in 2000, and worked as a Local Authority Social Worker and Social Work Manager for 10 years working with Children who are Looked After, Supported Lodgings and Young People leaving Local Authority Care. Ruth has also spent over 10 years living in the Middle East working with refugees and displaced people. She is a fluent Levantine Arabic Speaker. In addition she also has experience working in the areas of women at risk of exploitation, homelessness and fostering.