Welcome to our Board of Trustees page — an introduction to the passionate volunteers who guide our charitable mission. These dedicated individuals bring a wealth of experience, insight, and compassion to their roles, helping children, young people, and families recover from the impact of crime.
Our trustees hold ultimate responsibility for every aspect of our charity’s operations, from strategic leadership and policy development to overseeing activities and managing assets.Their unwavering commitment ensures we remain focused on our mission: to improve outcomes for children and young people traumatised by crime, by delivering the right emotional support at the right time.
Chair of Trustees - Simon Bailey
For over a decade Simon has been at the forefront of improving the global and UK response to child protection and in particular tackling the threat of online abuse.
He has been responsible for initiating some of the most transformational global responses to the threat and is a passionate advocate of victims and survivors.
He has been awarded a CBE for his work in this space and 2 Honorary Doctorates.
Vice Chair/Treasurer – Kevin Shapland
Kevin is a former law enforcement professional having spent 26 years as a detective with the Metropolitan Police and National Criminal Intelligence Service.
During his career he was part of a team responsible for conducting a review of the national policing response to domestic abuse and assisted in the setting up of community safety units.
Kevin subsequently established his own successful businesses aimed at supporting the public sector, and the criminal justice sector in particular, to improve their communication channels and develop partnership working with the private sector.
An experienced individual at board level, Kevin has been a Trustee of the charity since 2017.
Secretary – Catherine Cox
Catherine Cox left policing as a Detective Chief Inspector in 2024, having served for 15 years, and with experience in child protection and child abuse investigations at national level.
Catherine is now a consultant and is currently working with Child Rescue Coalition on international child sexual abuse projects, including tackling travelling sex offenders and advancing victim-focused approaches to online CSAE.
Catherine is a mum of two and is passionate about ensuring that all children are protected, and supported.
Safeguarding Trustee – Cheryl Pinner
Cheryl was a career detective in Cambridgeshire Constabulary finishing her career as a force Family Liaison Coordinator. Following her retirement from the police, 10 years ago, she continued supporting victims and their families.
Cheryl is now a level 5 specialist counsellor for children and young people. Cheryl has been an ambassador for Embrace for over 15 years and the last 5 years, she has been the safeguarding trustee. A role she cares passionately about.
Trustee – Roxy Longworth
Roxy Longworth is the author of When You Lose It, a book about her experience of online abuse and recovery. While studying Maths and Neuroscience at UCL, she began speaking publicly to raise awareness and drive change in how we support young people growing up online.
She is the founder of Behind Our Screens, a youth-led campaign amplifying young people’s voices on digital safety, and now works as an Associate at Boston Consulting Group.
Trustee – Rhys Dickinson
Rhys first came to Embrace CSoC as a child in need of support after experiencing physical and sexual abuse. Rhys shares that the care and kindness he received made a huge difference during one of the hardest times in his life.
Today, he is proud to serve as a trustee, using his lived experience to help ensure that children and families get the same compassion, understanding, and support that once helped him. Since joining the board, Rhys has been involved in several awareness and fundraising initiatives, including completing the Embrace Everest Base Camp Trek to raise vital funds for young survivors of crime.
Rhys has also shared his story through media interviews and articles to help break the silence around abuse and encourage others to seek support.
Trustee – Emily Harman
Emily is an online safety advisor and criminal attorney. Her background is in defending and prosecuting serious sex offences and violence against women and girls. She has previously advised tech companies on their obligations relating to safeguarding users online and collaborated with law enforcement and civil society on projects aimed at combatting online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Presently, Emily advises tech platforms, charities, NGOs and regulators on online safety, particularly relating to violence against women and girls and child safety issues. She also attends schools to teach children about consent and how to remain safe online.
Trustee – Cheryl Price
Cheryl is a Chartered Governance Professional with over 35 years of senior leadership experience in governance, policy development, and compliance, gained across sectors including financial services, retail, manufacturing, and biotech.
She has held roles at organisations such as British Steel, Allianz Insurance, and Next, and has advised charities including MNDA, Alzheimer’s Society, and Marie Curie. She also serves as a Magistrate on the Cambridgeshire criminal bench, giving her valuable insight into the justice system and its impact on vulnerable individuals.
Her connection to Embrace’s mission is deeply personal, having supported a family member through the aftermath of violent crime. She brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her role as Trustee.
Trustee – Margherita Douglas
Margherita Douglas is Executive Director at Zinc Network, where she oversees Creative, Digital, and Business Operations including ethics, safeguarding, and security.
With over 20 years’ experience leading purpose-driven organisations, she has directed international development and social change programmes across complex policy environments, partnering with governments, donors, and civil society to deliver lasting impact. Previously Creative and Digital Director at Save the Children, she led global communications campaigns to improve the lives of children worldwide, including the award-winning “Syria: Second a Day” appeal.
