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.

Focus Birmingham Strategic Plan 2024-26

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.

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.

Shannen- Director of People and Resources

Shannen brings over 10 years of generalist HR experience across a range of industries.

With a strong focus on  wellbeing, employee engagement, and inclusive workplace culture, they are passionate about creating efficient, people-focused systems and using data to inform decision making that benefits both employees and the organisation.

In her role at Focus, Shannen oversees the People, Finance, and Central Resources teams, and plays a key role in supporting the governance of the charity. Shannen is are committed to building a positive and collaborative employee experience that enables staff to thrive and ensures high-quality support for the people we serve.

Outside of Focus, Shannen is a Trustee and Director of a local mental health charity, where she champions the value of volunteering and community engagement.

Tracy - Income Generation & Partnerships Manager

Tracy is a highly experienced marketing and communications professional with more than 30 years of expertise in shaping and promoting the internal and external profile of organisations. She has worked across the charity  and professional trade body sectors, specialising in marketing, events, business management and income generation. Her strong focus on customer and member engagement has been central to her success.

Tracy enjoys keeping up with new ideas and developments in the industry and is a strong advocate for best practice and great customer service. She’s passionate about helping organisations grow, thrive and connect with the people who matter.

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 - Head of Services and Quality

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, Assistant Manager and eventually Service Delivery Manager.

Hayley is now the Head of Services and Quality and works tirelessly, to ensure the Focus services run smoothly and provides quality services to the people we support.

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.

 

Kahina Clarke - Financial Controller

Kahina joined Focus Birmingham in July 2023 as Financial Controller, bringing with her over a decade of experience in charity finance and regulated sectors. Since joining, she has delivered a strategic transformation of the finance function—revamping internal controls, streamlining reporting processes, and embedding a culture of financial accountability.

Known for her financial acumen and data-driven decision-making, Kahina plays a key role in strengthening the organisation’s financial health and long-term sustainability. Her leadership and analytical approach have been instrumental in enhancing financial transparency and supporting organisational growth. Kahina is passionate about using finance as a tool for empowerment—ensuring resources are aligned to deliver the greatest impact for the people Focus Birmingham supports.

Laura - Registered Manager of Supported Living

Laura has worked in the care sector for 16 years, beginning her career as a Support Worker and progressing through roles up to Regional Manager. She brings extensive experience in supporting people with complex needs and managing behavioural support, always championing a person-centred and empowering approach.

Passionate about ensuring everyone has equal opportunities, Laura is committed to helping the people we support live fulfilled, happy and meaningful lives. As the CQC Registered Manager at Millward Place, she leads the service with a strong focus on quality, safety and compliance, making sure every individual receives the highest standard of care in a safe and supportive environment.

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Lara - Complex Needs Day Service Manager

Lara brings over 10 years of experience in the management of services supporting vulnerable adults, including those 

with mental health needs and learning disabilities.

A trained Mental Health First Aid instructor, Lara is passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for service users.

She particularly enjoys working directly with the people we support and finds great reward in seeing the happiness and confidence they gain while at the service.

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.