board of

trustees

governance leadership

  • Sheetal joined the board of RCSL as Treasurer in 2021 and became Chair in 2022. With over 20 years of accounting experience, she has strengthened RCSL's financial governance, stabilising the charity and empowering the team to fulfil its mission.

    Sheetal was brought up in a family environment where giving was actively encouraged, enabling her to see the benefits of making a positive impact. These lessons instilled the value of being of service and fuels her commitment to RCSL’s cause, empowering survivors of sexual abuse and violence to rebuild their lives and realise their full potential.

  • Fran is a counter-trafficking and technology specialist with a background spanning government, law enforcement, and academia. She is currently the Counter-Trafficking Programme Manager at Marinus Analytics, where she leads projects focused on tech-driven approaches to tackling human trafficking and online exploitation. At the UK Home Office, she led on victims’ specialised services, government funding strategies and ministerial advice. She has also held positions with the National Crime Agency and University College London (UCL), where she served as a guest lecturer. She recently completed her PhD in Security and Crime Science at UCL, focusing on human trafficking, technology, and law enforcement investigative practices.

    RCSL’s mission strongly aligns with Fran’s commitment to protecting vulnerable communities and promoting evidence-based, trauma-informed responses that ensure victims’ voices are recognised and heard.

    Among her passions are swimming and long walks with her dog.

  • Charlotte has over 15 years of experience in the international development sector, working for WaterAid in fundraising, partnerships and operations roles in the UK, Southeast Asia, the Pacific and Australia. She has expertise in delivering safe, high-impact programmes and embedding strong safeguarding practices. Charlotte is currently Grants Lead for the environmental organisation ClientEarth.

    Charlotte has experience in developing and leading fundraising strategies, and specialises in building transformational partnerships that deliver meaningful, lasting impact for communities. Throughout her career, she has been a strong advocate for the rights and wellbeing of women and girls, and is passionate about ensuring all survivors of rape and sexual abuse have access to the highest quality care and support.

  • Leah is a commercial lawyer and Head of Trusts at a leading global law firm, where she is also a senior sponsor and board member of its Gender Equality Network. Leah has over fifteen years of experience advising trustees, individuals and charities on a range of legal and governance issues.

    ‍ Prior to joining RCSL, Leah volunteered on the check-in helpline operated by a sexual assault and abuse support service.

    ‍ ‍Leah is passionate and determined about the need to protect, support and empower survivors of gender-based violence and abuse and those at risk of such violence or abuse. The RCSL mission is important to her because she believes everyone deserves access to safety, justice and compassionate support after sexual violence. Leah is committed to making a positive change in our society, so as to secure the health, safety and well-being of all women and girls.

  • Originally trained as a lawyer, Zoe has over twenty years of experience working in the creative industry and is a senior leader in an agency which helps organisations to navigate brand, communication and culture challenges. She believes in the power of storytelling to raise awareness and educate in the ongoing fight to end sexual violence against women and girls.

    As both a survivor and the daughter of a CSA survivor with complex PTSD, Zoe has a profound understanding of the critical services RCSL provides. She has volunteered for the National Rape Crisis Helpline and was the driving force behind RCSL’s rebranding.

  • Catherine is CEO of Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking and wheeling, where she is committed to making streets safer for all. Catherine has over 20 years' experience in the charity sector, with a passion for working with people, listening, talking and collaborating to find long term solutions. Her work spans Help the Aged, Save the Children, Toynbee Hall, The King’s Foundation for Building Communities, Fight for Sight and Muscular Dystrophy UK. Enabling her to understand the challenges many women and girls face in different communities and especially when they are disabled or use mobility aids.  

    The RCSL mission is important to Catherine, because she has personal and professional experience of sexual violence and abuse, one leading to the loss of a family member far too soon. She is an advocate of raising women up, supporting them and creating safe spaces to live our lives.