The Focus Birmingham senior leadership team (SLT) is responsible to the board of trustees and assumes responsibility for the daily planning and management of the charity. Each manager has a specific portfolio of responsibility designed to ensure delivery of our vision and mission and our core organisational values.

Cate - CEO 

Cate is a Conductive Education Specialist and during her career has worked with people with complex disabilities in four different countries. Cate joined Focus after working with The Stroke Association as Assistant Director of Education  & Training for a number of years and brings with her a passion for person centred support. Cate is our CEO and oversees the smooth running and governance of the Charity. Cate is passionate about ensuring all teams are driven and that the services we offer are of the best quality for the people we support.

Gerry - Director of Resources

During his career Gerry has worked in the NHS, Housing and Residential Care sector, Education and more recently with two West Midlands charities. His role in these sectors have involved him leading on Workforce Planning, Organisational Development, People (Human Resources) Management, Corporate Services, Information Governance, Risk Management and Communications.   

As our Director of Resources Gerry’s role is to ensure that Focus’ corporate functions keep pace with the growing and changing needs of the charity. Along with other senior managers he is committed to ensuring that our Finance, People (HR) Management, and central functions including Facilities, IT, Catering and Transport remain fit for purpose, safe and risk free.

Michelle- Director of Services and Development

Michelle joined us in September 2023, having worked for both regional and national disability charities specialising in income generation and business development. As our new Director of Services and Development, Michelle will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of our Sight Loss Support Service, Complex Needs Support Service and Supported Living scheme. Michelle is passionate about access and inclusion and delivering high quality services that are coproduced.

Michelle will also be bringing her expertise in high value fundraising to help to diversify and develop new income streams to ensure we can continue to deliver core services whilst also supporting our ambitious plans to develop both our services and premises to meet the needs of the people we support.

Marcia - Head of Workforce 

Marcia joined us in August 2019 from Sense where she worked for over 13 years as People Partner for External Qualifications and Apprenticeships.
Marcia has worked across all sectors having begun her career in Local Authority including being a Registered Care Manager.

Marcia has worked in Learning and Development across many of the colleges in the West Midlands focusing on Health and Social Care qualifications and apprenticeships, setting up the programmes from scratch.
Marcia is committed to equipping our people with the tools and skills to fulfil their roles successfully to provide a quality service to the people we support. 

Andrew MSc MCOptom PG Cert LV - Sight Loss Support Lead

Qualifying as an optometrist in 1991, Andrew is the optometry lead for Focus Birmingham, working with others in the team to provide a holistic low vision service, he has previously won the Macular Society “Optometrist of the Year” award.

Andrew is working towards a PhD exploring the benefits of wearable magnifiers for people with age-related macular degeneration and is also a visiting lecturer on low vision at Birmingham City University. Andrew has an interest in the development of low vision services in poorer resourced countries and has supported projects in Jordan, Palestine and Zambia. As part of this work he has edited and co-written 'SEE MORE a toolkit to establish low vision services'.

Tracy - Marketing, Communications & Fundraising Manager

Tracy is an experienced marketing and communications expert well versed in managing and directing the internal and external profile of an organisation, working within either a board of directors or a team.

Most of Tracy’s 30+ years of experience have been in the charity and professional trade body sectors in marketing, events and business management, and therefore, keen direct marketing, e-marketing and customer/member engagement strategies have been key to her success.
Tracy likes to keep abreast of current thought leadership and developments in the industry and advocates best practice and customer service excellence at all times.

Theresa - Sight Loss Support Service Manager

Theresa joined Focus in 2020 following 13 years as Service Manager for Birmingham Childline. Theresa is our Sight Loss Support Services Manager. She manages all non-clinical services in SLS, is safeguarding champion within SLS, and serves on our health and wellbeing and EDI groups. 

Theresa’s wealth of experience has been primarily in safeguarding and service delivery having worked for the Birmingham child protection team, Brook and Childline.

Theresa is passionate about delivering high quality services and supporting people who need our help.

Hayley - Complex Needs Day Service Manager

Hayley has been part of the Focus family for over 10 years. After a number of years in catering management, Hayley began her career with Focus as a CSW before moving on to Senior and then Assistant Manager.

Hayley is now the Service Delivery Manager and works tirelessly, supported by her team of Assistant Managers, to ensure the Day Service runs smoothly and provides a quality service to the people we support.

Lisa - Supported Living Manager

Lisa manages our supported living programme for people with visual impairment and additional complex needs, and has 30+ years of experience having worked with Sense for over 15 and with Sovereign Care Solutions for over 13.

Lisa has been a Registered Care Manager for over 15 years and has also managed a challenging behaviour service during her career.

Lisa and her team at Millward Place are committed to supporting our residents to live more independent lives.

Mario - Central Resources Manager

Mario joined Focus in November 2020 as Facilities Manager and is now our Central Resources Manager.

Mario has a raft of experience managing complex logistics and large teams having worked previously in the catering and event sector.

As Central Resources Manager, Mario looks after the heart of Focus: the building, facilities, central administration, catering and cleaning, plus building projects and maintenance. He also has a remit for health and safety, IT and transport.

 

Julie - Secretary to the Board of Trustees

Julie's expansive career has spanned various secretarial/administrative roles including being a Legal Secretary in a firm of solicitors and an Administration Manager at the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Julie's responsibilities at Focus include organising agendas and papers for Board and Committee meetings and providing secretarial/administrative support to the Board and Focus Senior Management Team.