The work of the Chair and Commissioners is supported by a Directorate made up of a small team of civil servants. The team is led by our Director, Barbara-Ann Collins.

Deputy Director, Susan Green, manages much of the policy work, including violence against women.

Sophie Howes leads our work on violence against women (including domestic violence and sexual violence) and Jennifer Cole leads on Women in the Economy. Jennifer and Sophie support each other in their roles. 

Shelly Dowrich leads our work on International and National mechanisms for equality including the Committee on the Status of Women (CSW), Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the International and European E-Network, on Migration and Asylum, on the Gender Equality Duty and on Honours. Within this Sarah Priest leads on International and Jo Stradling on National.

Mutanser Ashraf manages WNC’s external interface and leads on Women in Decision Making and oversees our outreach and communications work; this work is led by Jo Stradling and Sylvia Namata and includes events and conferences, work and communications with our partners.

Fiona Lamming is our Commissioner Relations Manager.

The WNC Directorate is often assisted by interns from the UK and overseas. For more information about current internship and vacancy opportunites please click here

The WNC currently has two interns; Jennifer Blair and Patricia Kaba who are supporting WNC’s international work and violence against women.