Meet the Executive Team

Humankind is led by an experienced and committed Executive Team who all bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to their roles.

 

Paul Townsley

CEO
Black and white photo of Humankind CEO, Paul Townsley smiling.

Starting life as a volunteer I have worked in caring services for the vast majority of my working life from front line practitioner, to manager to CEO. I always try to learn and improve my skills and have done community work, social work and management qualifications to help with this.

I love the work that Humankind does and the challenges we help people with. At my interview I felt a connection with the people and that I was the right fit for the role and the organisation. I saw an organisation that I liked and where I felt I could add value.

I really enjoy the diversity and challenges of my role and being part of an organisation that helps people deliver really good services to our service users. I am passionate about improving our services where they need improvement and creating new services that meet unmet needs.

 

Evan Chiswell

Executive Director Partnerships, Innovation & Business Development
Black and white photo of Humankind Executive Director for Business Development & Innovation, Evan Chriswell.

I’ve worked with a range of different marginalised and/or vulnerable groups, including adult offenders, people with mental health needs, male sex workers, people who are street homeless, older people and people with a learning disability. In 2009, I also became a founding trustee of a charity called Survivors Manchester, which supports male survivors of sexual abuse or rape, and campaigns on a national scale.

I am a proud advocate of our work; I believe passionately in the services we deliver and our impact. Therefore, whilst I enjoy Business Development, there’s nothing I enjoy more than speaking to those that use our services and hearing about what we’ve done well, but also how we can make an even greater impact in the future.

 

Ted Haughey

Executive Director Operations

I have been working in the Health and Social Care field for 18 years, from starting as a volunteer through to my current role as Executive Director. I have worked across the country from Kent up to Newcastle in a range of specialisms including supported housing, street homelessness, young people’s services and substance misuse.

I had been working for my previous employer for nearly 10 years and had very good previous experience of working with Humankind. So when a Director opportunity was advertised, I applied and was thankfully successful. I have been with Humankind now since 2014, working across the North East and Yorkshire in different roles.

We are a charity that genuinely makes a difference for the vulnerable people who need our services and the communities that we work in. There is a positive culture and a committed workforce who go above and beyond to support those in need. I am very proud to work for Humankind.

 

Anna Headley

Executive Director for Clinical, Quality & Performance
Black and white photo of Humankind Executive Director for Clinical, Quality and Performance, Anna Headley
I have worked in health and social care for over 25 years, including 10 in the NHS, initially qualifying as a General Nurse and then specialising in neurosciences. I became interested in addiction having worked in acute care and witnessing first hand its devastating effects on individuals and their families.

Having worked with individuals over several years following traumatic and acquired brain injuries resulting from their addiction I wanted to be part of an organisation that supported people into recovery prior to injury. Since starting in Humankind my remit has expanded into working with other individuals with complex needs and wider social and health issues.

I love working for an organisation that is passionate about working with people and values them and their individualism. On a daily basis I see service users who have been entrenched in addiction, homelessness and poor mental health, who find their value and purpose and then thrive. I am proud to be part of that.

 

Dr Roya Vaziri

Executive Medical Director
Black and white photo of Executive Medical Director, Roya Vaziri.
On qualifying as a doctor in 1998 I have gained a breadth of experience from surgical specialities in the North East of England to completing my training in General Practice in the Southwest. My introduction to the speciality of Substance Misuse first came through my work as a GP providing care to people who were experiencing homelessness.

Appointed the Medical Director for Humankind in 2018, it is with great pride and passion that I work hard together with all our staff and volunteers to deliver the highest quality care possible.

 

Dave Marsh

Executive Director IT & Digital
With 20 years of IT and Digital experience within a wide range of organisations, including 10 years within the NHS and Charitable sectors, I’m proud to be working as the Executive Director for IT & Digital at Humankind. Whilst a technologist at heart, I’m most passionate about the impact this has, both supporting our colleagues and more importantly, the difference they’re able to make in supporting people accessing our services – whether in person or through digital platforms.

I passionately believe technology and digital teams should be enablers, an area that can transform organisations through the effective use of technology. Technology alone however won’t add value, it requires a quality service-oriented team to promote, maintain and ensure alignment with the organisation’s strategy. The challenge is to ensure whilst technology and digital services run throughout an organisation, it isn’t visible, you use it constantly without realising it.

 

Kathryn Summerfield

Executive Director People & Culture
My role allows me to lead in creating a workplace where everyone – employees, volunteers, and leaders – can thrive so that we can make a positive difference in people’s lives. I know that the well-being of our people, who are at the centre of everything we do, directly impacts job satisfaction and our ability to deliver excellent care and support.

Before joining Humankind, I spent over 20 years in various HR roles in different sectors. My focus here is on building strategies and environments where people can grow personally and professionally. I’m also passionate about attracting and developing talent, enhancing wellbeing, and promoting diversity.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, travelling, and staying healthy. I firmly believe that a balanced life is key to being happy and productive, and I always advocate for this approach to our workplace culture.

 

June Riley

Executive Director Finance
I have worked in the Public and Charity sector for many years now and qualified as an accountant in the NHS as a graduate trainee. I started supporting community mental health in North London before moving into Acute Services. I moved out of the NHS to work as a Finance Director at The DePaul Trust, a homeless charity providing services for 18 to 24-year-olds who needed to be supported whilst at their most vulnerable.

I spent a large proportion of my career in housing, working in housing care and support Housing Association as Director of Financial Management. I started working at Recovery Focus in February 2020 as Group Director of Finance.

The provision of good, affordable social housing and quality care and support is a key concern, I have always aimed to use my skills and experience to facilitate improvement and initiate change where possible. I have been on several Boards of various sizes, and I am currently the Senior Independent Director (SID) on The Barnet Group Board, which has a subsidiary providing care and support. I am also on the board of Islington and Shoreditch HA who strive to retain social rents. I believe that everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.

News

Exit mobile version