Our People
Helping people discreetly seek support in licensed venues when they feel unsafe, threatened or vulnerable.
Ali Butler
Trustee Profile
Ali joins the Ask for Angela charity bringing extensive experience from both military and civilian welfare settings. After leaving school, Ali served in the RAF in communications before building a career within the criminal justice system, working with both adults and children affected by substance misuse.
For the past 14 years, Ali has worked within a Social Work team for a military charity, developing significant experience in welfare support and safeguarding. She has a strong passion and commitment to addressing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and is keen to contribute her knowledge and experience to support the mission of Ask for Angela.
Cathy Lowe
Trustee Profile
Cathy Lowe brings over 40 years of fundraising experience to the Ask for Angela charity, offering a wealth of knowledge that will be instrumental in supporting the charity’s long-term sustainability and growth.
Throughout her career, Cathy has worked across a range of respected organisations, including Cancer Research UK (CRUK), the Alzheimer’s Society, and more recently Beaumond House Hospice, developing and delivering successful fundraising approaches across diverse settings. Her expertise spans fundraising strategy development, corporate fundraising, community fundraising, and events-led income generation — providing Ask for Angela with strong, practical insight into building ethical and effective income streams.
Cathy’s extensive understanding of the fundraising landscape, combined with her strategic mindset, will play a key role in helping Ask for Angela establish a robust and sustainable income model that supports free resources, training, and awareness-raising activity.
In addition to her professional experience, Cathy also brings valuable governance insight through her work as a trustee for another charity. She is enthusiastic about supporting Ask for Angela at this pivotal stage and is excited to contribute her skills and experience to a cause focused on making public spaces safer for everyone
Georgie Ball
Trustee Profile
Georgie Ball is a former Police Detective Inspector and now works in Human Resources, bringing a powerful combination of operational safeguarding experience, people leadership, and investigative expertise to the Ask for Angela charity.
During her policing career, Georgie led complex criminal investigations and worked extensively within legal and regulatory frameworks, developing strong expertise in criminal law, evidence handling, and victim-centred practice. In her HR career, she has built on this foundation through conducting detailed employment law investigations, advising on workplace culture, and supporting organisations to manage risk, fairness, and accountability. This blend of criminal and employment law experience is invaluable to Ask for Angela’s governance, training, and safeguarding approach.
Georgie’s motivation for becoming a trustee is both professional and deeply personal. Her experiences of harassment are not limited to nights out, but extend across everyday life and the workplace — reinforcing her understanding that feeling unsafe is not confined to the night-time economy. She is passionate about contributing to practical, preventative solutions that help create safer public spaces and empower individuals to seek support without fear or stigma.
Georgie is proud to support Ask for Angela’s mission and is committed to helping the charity grow with integrity, credibility, and real-world impact
Marcus Oldroyd
Trustee Profile
Marcus Oldroyd is a Trustee of the campaign, supporting its governance, development, and long-term sustainability.
Marcus brings over 30 years of experience from a career spanning the military, UK policing, and leadership development. He spent much of his professional life working in high-pressure environments, specialising in complex investigations, crisis leadership, negotiation, and decision-making where ethical judgement, safeguarding vulnerable people, and people management were critical. Since leaving policing, Marcus has worked with organisations across the public, private, and charitable sectors, supporting leaders and teams through challenge, change, and growth.
Through this work, Marcus contributes skills in people leadership, organisational development, safeguarding awareness, stakeholder engagement, and strategic thinking. He has a strong interest in creating psychologically safe environments, supporting effective governance, and helping organisations grow in a way that is responsible, values-led, and sustainable.
Marcus chose to become a Trustee to support the campaign’s founder, Hayley, and to stand behind a cause he genuinely believes in. He is passionate about the purpose of the campaign and sees real potential for it to grow its reach and impact. His motivation is rooted in both personal support for Hayley and a desire to contribute his experience to help the campaign develop thoughtfully, ethically, and with integrity.
As a Trustee, Marcus’s role is to provide support, guidance, and constructive challenge where appropriate, helping ensure the campaign remains true to its purpose while continuing to evolve and grow.
JEZ NASH
Trustee Profile
Jez Nash is one of the owners of The Strait and Narrow, the very first venue to adopt Ask for Angela, and brings extensive, frontline hospitality experience to the charity
With a 30 year+ career spanning roles as an owner, manager, licensee wholesaler, and Chair of Pubwatch, Jez has a deep, practical understanding of venue operations, licensing, and customer safety. His experience gives him a knowledgeable, balanced perspective on how safeguarding initiatives like Ask for Angela work in real-world settings not just in theory
Jez has seen first-hand the positive impact Ask for Angela can have on improving safety for both customers and staff. He is passionate and proud to continue to support the scheme and is committed to sharing his experience to help ensure Ask for Angela remains practical, effective, and genuinely supportive for venues across the hospitality sector.
Sarah Schofield
Trustee Profile
Sarah is the founder of The Safe Woman, an award-winning initiative delivering proactive safety
education for women across the UK. Her work equips women with practical skills in
awareness, decision-making, and self-defence, bridging the gap between policy and real-
world experience.
Her approach is shaped by lived experience. Following a prolonged period of targeted
harassment and intimidation, during which she was repeatedly let down by formal support
systems, Sarah developed a deep understanding of both the realities victims face and the
critical importance of accessible, trusted safety interventions.
As a Trustee for Ask for Angela, Sarah brings a unique combination of frontline insight and
strategic perspective. She understands how women navigate risk in everyday environments,
particularly in social settings and is committed to strengthening initiatives that provide
discreet, immediate pathways to safety.
Sarah has worked with organisations across the UK, including Members of Parliament, Police
Crime Commissioners, corporates and community groups. She is also a qualified Mental
Health First Aider, ensuring emotional safety is embedded alongside physical safety in all
aspects of her work.
Her contribution to Ask for Angela is grounded in a clear focus: ensuring that safety
initiatives are effective, accessible and trusted by those they are designed to protect.
Genni Ansell-Apicella
Trustee Profile
Genni Ansell-Apicella is a senior communications professional with experience advising leadership teams across start-ups, charities, and global organisations.
Throughout her career, Genni has worked closely with executive teams and boards, helping shape strategy, navigate complex risk environments, and ensure decisions are aligned with both purpose and long-term sustainability. Her experience spans founder-led businesses through to FTSE 100 environments, giving her a well-rounded perspective on governance, accountability, and responsible growth.
Alongside her corporate career, Genni also brings experience in the charity sector working in community and corporate fundraising roles. She has also worked within health and care settings, where safeguarding, wellbeing, and public trust are central. These experiences have shaped her understanding of the responsibility that comes with purpose-led work, particularly where initiatives support vulnerable individuals and communities.
Genni has long supported the Ask for Angela campaign and is passionate about its origins as a simple, community-led intervention designed to improve safety in public spaces. She is committed to helping protect the integrity of the initiative as it evolves, ensuring it remains accessible, credible, and true to its founding principles.
As a Trustee, Genni contributes expertise in strategic communication, governance, and stakeholder engagement. She is particularly motivated by the role trustees play in safeguarding purpose, strengthening trust, and supporting sustainable growth, and is proud to support the charity at this important stage in its development.
Raluca Coman
Trustee Secretary Profile
Raluca joins the Ask for Angela charity as Secretary Trustee, bringing over two decades of experience in law and finance across international law firms and financial institutions, together with deep expertise in legal frameworks, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance.
Raluca is deeply committed to the advancement of women in leadership, as well as the protection of women and vulnerable groups. She currently supports the governance and compliance function of one of Luxembourg’s longest-standing organisations dedicated to the professional development and advancement of women, and brings that lived understanding of inclusion and institutional responsibility to everything she does.
Her pro bono work and volunteer activity reflect a lifelong commitment to environmental and social justice. In Romania, she provided pro bono legal support to one of the country’s largest environmental civic movements, assisting with its incorporation and ongoing operations. She has also volunteered in psychological support programmes for children in vulnerable situations, and provided legal assistance to individuals navigating the asylum process. In the United Kingdom, she has given legal advice to a global criminal justice advocacy organisation and assisted with work integration of people experiencing homelessness.
Raluca’s commitment to Ask for Angela is rooted in a deep belief that safety, access to justice, and inclusion are not abstract ideals — they are rights that must be actively protected. She joins the board to contribute her legal, governance, and compliance expertise in support of a mission that matters.
Steven Radley
Trustee Treasurer Profile
Steven is a Chartered Credit Manager with over 11 years of experience in accounting and team leadership.
He brings strong expertise in financial oversight, risk management, and governance, alongside a practical approach to ensuring robust controls and regulatory compliance. Steven is also a tutor for Credit qualifications focusing on communication and coaching the future generation.
He is passionate about contributing his skills to organisations that make a meaningful difference and is committed to transparency, accountability, and collaboration. Steven is particularly motivated to support the charity from its inception, helping to establish effective governance structures and financial controls that will enable sustainable growth and maximise its impact in the years ahead.
Steven is proud to support Ask for Angela and to committing to a safer future.
Demelza Staples
Trustee Profile
Demelza Staples is an award-winning security and transformation leader with experience across the UK hospitality, retail and security sectors.
Demelza is Group Process & Transformation Director at Double Check Security and Metro Guard, leading operational change and service improvement across frontline environments.
She has held senior roles with organisations including Ei Group plc, YO! Sushi and Yum! Brands (KFC), bringing strong expertise in safeguarding, risk management and public safety.
A recipient of the Women in Security Award (Technical Category), Demelza is also a trustee of PTSD999, supporting emergency service workers living with trauma.
Her commitment to Ask for Angela is both professional and personal. Having experienced harassment herself, she understands the importance of discreet support and has championed the campaign for many years. She actively embeds safeguarding into practice, ensuring Ask for Angela is included in staff awareness and training.
As a mother, she is passionate about ensuring the campaign remains visible, trusted and accessible for future generations.
Aoife Gaffney
Trustee Profile
Aoife Gaffney is an Irish author, speaker, money coach and hypnotherapist.
Aoife Gaffney is an Irish author, speaker, money coach and hypnotherapist, and a Trustee with Ask for Angela. She also serves as a trustee of Hopefull Handbags Global Ireland, supporting women experiencing domestic abuse.
She is working to support the introduction and development of Ask for Angela across Ireland, with a focus on practical implementation and awareness in venues and communities.
Through her work, including her Life By Design (LBD) approach, Aoife supports people to build greater independence, confidence and control in their lives. She is committed to initiatives that create safer environments and give people clear, accessible ways to get support when it matters most.
Hollie Out
Patron Profile
Hollie is a Patron of Ask for Angela and a Specialist Advisor to the Board, bringing vital lived experience to support the charity’s work.
Ask for Angela was named in memory of Hollie’s mum, whose life was taken by domestic violence. For Hollie and her family, knowing her mum’s name is now used worldwide to help people who feel unsafe in public spaces is a source of pride and meaning.
Hollie is passionate about raising awareness of Ask for Angela and ensuring the scheme is understood and used effectively. Through her advisory role, she will support the charity to remain grounded in real experiences, survivor-informed, and focused on making public spaces safer for everyone.
Specialist Advisors
Sally Gillborn MBE
Profile
Sally is Chief Executive of North Notts BID, the UK’s first area-wide business improvement district – the largest in the UK, covering the whole district of Bassetlaw.
With a strong place management, marketing and economic growth background, Sally has worked in the private, public and non-profit sectors.
Sally oversees the North Notts Business Crime Reduction Partnership which delivers initiatives including the Night Angels, DISC crime reporting app, Best Bar None and the WalkSafe app, all of which work hand-in-hand with Ask for Angela to keep people safe in local venues, whatever time of day or night.
Having experienced uncomfortable personal situations herself in the past, Sally is keen to ensure that people of all ages and sexes feel safe when out and about.
Sally was awarded an MBE in Kings New Years Honours 2023 for Services to Business and the Economy in Nottinghamshire
Lily Day
Profile
Lily brings over 10 years of marketing experience to Ask for Angela as a Specialist Advisor, combining strategic insight with a strong personal commitment to the charity’s mission.
Her expertise will play an important role in helping to strengthen awareness, engagement, and long-term impact for a cause that is close to her heart.
Throughout her career, Lily has worked across a broad range of marketing disciplines, developing and delivering effective campaigns that amplify key messages and drive meaningful audience connection. In her current role as Marketing Manager at OpusApeiro, she works closely with a number of security companies, gaining valuable insight into safety-focused sectors and the importance of clear, responsible communication in public-facing environments.
Lily’s experience spans brand strategy, campaign planning, content development, and stakeholder engagement, enabling her to support Ask for Angela in communicating its message clearly, sensitively, and at scale. Her ability to translate complex or serious issues into accessible, compelling narratives will help extend the reach of the campaign and reinforce its presence across communities and partners.
Motivated by a desire to apply her professional skills to a worthwhile cause, Lily is passionate about supporting Ask for Angela in raising awareness and helping to make public spaces safer for everyone. She is enthusiastic about contributing her marketing knowledge at this important stage of the charity’s growth and supporting the continued expansion of its life‑saving message.
Jo Vessey
Profile
Jo is a retired police officer and has years of knowledge and expertise in working with vulnerable young people and adults with autism.
Jo plays a key role within Ask for Angela UK, bringing a wealth of experience from both Children’s Services and policing.
Throughout her career, Jo has worked alongside some of the most complex families and vulnerable individuals, developing a deep understanding of safeguarding, early intervention, and the importance of strong multi-agency partnerships. She has years of knowledge and expertise in working with vulnerable young people and adults with autism, and her ability to build trust, communicate effectively, and keep people at the heart of everything she does makes her an invaluable part of the team.
Jo’s passion for this work is not only professional, but personal. As a parent of a young adult with autism who is beginning to explore independence, she understands just how important it is for people to feel safe, supported, and confident when they are out in the community.
Her expertise plays an important role in helping the charity consider how we can better support those most vulnerable in our society.
Since joining Ask for Angela UK, Jo has become a driving force behind engagement and relationship development, helping to grow awareness of the initiative.
Liz Morris
Profile
Liz brings extensive experience in governance, regulation, and consumer protection, with a strong focus on fairness and accountability
Liz brings over 20 years’ experience from ombudsman and adjudication schemes with expertise in governance, regulatory adherence, risk, and ensuring fair outcomes for consumers. She is passionate about community-focused work and supporting initiatives that give people a voice and help them feel safe. As a Specialist Advisor to Ask for Angela, she is proud to contribute to a campaign that empowers individuals in vulnerable situations and promotes greater awareness in everyday settings.
Sarah D’Angelis
Profile
Sarah D’Angelis is an independent VAWG consultant with 20 years experience spanning frontline services to national leadership, leading innovative, cross-sector approaches to policy and prevention. Her work is rooted in the belief that real change doesn’t happen in silo, but when communities, businesses and specialist organisations come together around a shared purpose, with survivors at the heart of everything she does.
She co-founded and led national initiatives including Safe Spaces and Online Safe Spaces through UK SAYS NO MORE, now embedded across the UK and specialises in prevention, collaboration, brand growth and scaling impact. Sarah is proud to support Ask for Angela as it grows into its exciting next chapter as a charity.
Helen Crossman
Profile
Helen brings over 20 years of marketing experience to Ask for Angela, supporting the charity as a Specialist Advisor with a focus on website management and SEO.
As the founder of E-Volve Web Design & Marketing, Helen works with small businesses and organisations to improve their online presence through clear, user-friendly websites and practical digital strategies. She designed and developed the Ask for Angela website and continues to manage and support it on a voluntary basis.
Her role focuses on helping ensure the charity’s online presence remains accessible, accurate, and easy to find — particularly for those searching for Ask for Angela and the support it provides.
Throughout her career, Helen has worked across a range of industries, with a focus on content, search visibility, and creating websites that genuinely work for their users. She is particularly interested in making important information easy to understand and accessible to as many people as possible.
Helen is proud to support Ask for Angela and contribute to raising awareness of a scheme that helps people feel safer in public spaces.