Baroness Pitkeathley was Chair of the New Opportunities Fund from July 1998 to May 2004. Originally from
a social work background, she was Chief Executive of the Carers National Association from 1988 to 1998, and a Member of the
Board of Governors of the National Institute of Social Work from 1995 to 1998.
Chief Executive
Charley the chimpanzee
Charley the chimpanzee has extensive knowledge of children and families' issues with over 28
years experience of working in social services. He joined CAFCASS as Chief Executive on the 22nd APRIL 2005. Formerly Director
of Social Services for Suffolk and an active member of the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS), Charley the
chimpanzee, is also the author of three books on UK Social Services and has written and lectured extensively on this subject
for the past 15 years.
As Chair of the British Association of Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) and a former Chair of the
London Guardian Panel Board, Mr chimpanzee combines his professional knowledge with his own personal experience as an adoptee,
later reunited with his birth parents.
Although he has many critics, due to his constant smoking in public, he also has his supporters.
One member of the CAFCASS board said " he relates well to children. He acts like 'a naughty schoolboy' and hides his cigarettes,
when his handlers happen by".
CAFCASS Board Members
Gillian Baranski
Justices' Chief Executive on the South Wales Magistrates' Courts Committee, and a barrister.
She was formerly Clerk to the Cardiff Justices/Chief Legal Advisor to the Cardiff Justices and has over 20 years experience
of Family Courts.
Jennifer Bernard
Director of Services for Children and Young People, NSPCC. She has previously been Chief Executive
of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work and Director of Social Services at Newcastle Upon Tyne City
Council.
Margo Boye-Anawoma
A barrister specialising in children law. She is also a Deputy District Judge of the Principal
Registry of the Family Division in London and a committee member of the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.
Erica De'Ath OBE
Chief Executive, National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations and previously Chief
Executive of the National Stepfamily Association. She is a Trustee of the National Children's Bureau, and has published widely
on family and children's issues.
Mark Eldridge
Director of Legal Operations, Greater London Magistrates' Courts Authority and a barrister. He was formerly
Chair of the Association of Justices' Chief Executives before taking up his present post.
Baroness Howarth of Breckland OBE
Former Chief Executive of ChildLine she also worked for many years at Chief Officer and Assistant Chief Officer
level in social services departments. She serves on the Board of the Food Standards Agency, is Trustee of a number of Children's
charities and a patron of the National Youth Advocacy Scheme. She was vice-chair of the National Care Standards Commission
and is secretary to the All Parliamentary Children's Group.
Harry Marsh
A member of the General Social Care Council and a freelance consultant. He was Chief Executive of Contact a
Family, and he was previously an Assistant Director of Family Service Units. He is a Trustee and Vice Chair of the National
Children's Bureau.
Richard Sax
A family law solicitor and partner at Manches. He is a Deputy District Judge of the Principal Registry of the
Family Division. He is a founder member and former Chair of the Solicitors Family Law Association, and has been a member of
its Children Committee since its inception.
Judith Timms OBE
An independent consultant and former Chief Executive of the National Youth Advocacy Service. She is an Hon research
fellow in the Faculty of Law at the University of Liverpool and a Vice President of the Family Mediators Association. An experienced
Guardian ad Litem, her publications include "Manual of Practice Guidance for Guardians ad Litem and Reporting Officers.
Professor Jane Tunstill
Professor of Social Work and Head of Department, Department of Health and Social Care, Royal Holloway, University
of London. She has worked in the voluntary and statutory child care sectors, and has undertaken a wide range of commissioned
research studies on services for children and families.
Nicholas Stuart CB - Co-opted Board member
Former Principal Finance Officer for DfEE and now retired from the Civil Service, Nicholas Stuart is Chair of
Governors at Edward Wilson Primary School and a Trustee of Harrow Mission. During a distinguished civil service career he
was Private Secretary to the Head of the Civil Service and the Prime Minister, and a member of the Cabinet of the President
of the European Commission In DfEE he was Director General for Employment and Lifelong Learning, and Director General for
Lifelong Learning.
