CAYSH Leadership Team
Chris Deacon
CEO
Chris joined CAYSH as CEO in 2024. He has over 15 years’ experience in homelessness, leading services in hostels, supported housing, prevention, property management and employability. Chris is passionate about ending homelessness and providing services that make a timely and lasting impact in people’s lives. He particularly enjoys collaborating with other organisations to develop new services. He holds a PgCert in Leadership & Management: Homelessness and Housing. Outside of work, Chris is a keen Parkrunner and Disc World fan.
Victor Brown
Housing, Care & Support Manager
As our Head of our Operations Service Victor has over 25 years of experience working within the Housing, Care, and Support sector. Victor is a good addition to our Executive Team and takes the lead across our Properties, Support Packages and Service Development. A trained counsellor and experienced Senior Manager Victor works to develop and embed new systems and practices that utilise individual strengths and keep businesses relevant in today’s and future markets. He also has a track record of implementing changes through inclusion, and a strong ‘can do’ attitude. His efforts have motivated and inspired teams to explore and reach their full potential within their professional and private lives. Victor is proud to be a part of the CAYSH family/ business, and it plans as it approaches its 40th celebration.
Sonia Wilson
Head of Human Resources
My career in Human Resources (HR) started with Westminster City Council’s Social Services Department and I have since qualified in Human Resource Management & Development, via Croydon College and London Metropolitan University.
I moved on to Camden Council’s Housing HR Department then South Thames College, remaining with HR. South Thames later merged with Merton College, where I was based until I moved briefly to the private sector.
I left the private sector because I missed working with colleagues passionate about the educational, social and emotional wellbeing of others; those who want to make a difference and improve the lives of others, as opposed to profit.
I joined Kingston University for a temporary period after leaving the private sector, before arriving at CAYSH, where I have worked since 2016.
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Sonia Seevaratnam
Business Support Manager
After completing my Business Administration degree in 1998, I secured a role as an Executive Assistant to the General Manager of a 5 star hotel in Mayfair, London. It was when I worked for the London Borough of Lewisham that I started to work with young people, at a Government (DfES) Implementation Project as a Trainer/Ambassador.
In November 2013 I started at CAYSH as the Executive Assistant to the Leadership Team. I developed my skills and now am the Business Support and Compliance Manager for the Charity and the CiC. I love my job and what CAYSH does for young homeless people; giving them a safe home and a reason to better themselves and live for the future.
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André Chopra
Business Development Manager
André joined CAYSH as Business Development Manager & Senior Leader, leading the organisation’s business development and marketing functions. He has extensive experience in driving sustainable growth, developing strategic partnerships and identifying new income opportunities across a range of sectors and regions. André is passionate about innovative fundraising and collaborative working that strengthens long-term impact. As part of the Leadership Team, he is committed to advancing CAYSH’s mission and creating lasting positive change for the people we support.
Patrick Lineen
Finance Manager
Patrick Lineen is a qualified, chartered accountant with a lot of experience in the Charity sector. He has also worked as the Financial Director of publicly quoted companies. He enjoys the camaraderie of working with his colleagues. He is a firm believer in the mission of CAYSH to help young homeless people. He is married with four children and nine grandchildren. He enjoys studying history and politics and having a good debate about the issues of the day.
Trustees
Louise Graham-Smith
The Chair
Louise is a senior housing professional with a background in operational leadership across housing management and property services. She brings over 15 years’ experience in the social housing sector, with a focus on delivering safe, secure homes and improving outcomes for residents.
She has previously served as Vice Chair of a G320 housing association in East London and is currently a trustee of a major London-based charity, demonstrating her long-standing commitment to governance and social impact. Louise holds a RICS-accredited master’s degree in Building Surveying, a Postgraduate Certificate in Housing Studies, and a BA in Social Policy and Criminology. She is currently completing an MBA to further deepen her strategic and leadership capabilities.
Louise believes every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive and is dedicated to ensuring they have the housing they need to move confidently towards independent, stable futures.
Sam Bartlett-Pestell
Board Member
With an interest in helping the community and specifically preventing homelessness Sam joined the Caysh Board in September 2019. He is a doctor and is training in respiratory medicine in South London. He studied Medicine at the University of Bristol and additionally Intercalated in International Health BSc. Sam brings experience from frontline healthcare – delivering, and improving, a service in challenging times. He has been involved in a number of quality improvement initiatives within clinical medicine and is a keen medical educator. He enjoys running, surfing and yoga. He sits on the Finance Development committee.
Neil Johnson
Board Member
Neil is a Chartered Accountant with over 40 years experience, advising a broad range of businesses on financial and taxation matters. He has been working with CAYSH as an external financial consultant for nearly ten years during which time he has assisted the organisation in its financial governance, controls and reporting systems development and implementation.
As a Croydon business owner of over 40 years and a local resident Neil, is keen to continue his involvement in the local community through his new position as a trustee for CAYSH.
Andrea Dunhill
Board Member
Andrea is a chartered accountant and currently the CEO of Citizens’ Advice Reigate and Banstead.
Prior to this role, Andrea spent most of her career in education and taught accounting, finance and business in various settings, firstly in a 6th Form College, then at a College of Further Education, followed by 17 years at Kingston University. Andrea’s interest in CAYSH is driven by a combination of the need for good financial and business management in the not for profit sector and the importance that CAYSH places on the education and development of its young residents. Andrea is a member of the People and Services Committee.
Joyce Castañeda
Board Member
Kelly Mckenzie
Board Member
Kelly McKenzie is a residential childcare leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for young people leaving care. With frontline experience supporting children and young people with complex needs, Kelly brings practical insight and a compassionate, solutions focused approach to her role as Trustee at CAYSH.
She is passionate about improving outcomes for care experienced young people through high quality support, community connection, and creating opportunities that lead to lasting change.
Alongside her work in the sector, Kelly is a driven entrepreneur with a strong passion for business, innovation, and empowering young people to build confident, independent futures.
Joyce is currently working as the Monitoring and Evaluation Lead at a local charity, where she plays a key role in ensuring that the charity’s work effectively supports girls and women. Joyce has longstanding experience in community development, education, governance, and project management from her home country, with a particular focus on monitoring and evaluation through her current employment.
Passionate about empowering young people and communities, Joyce is dedicated to creating positive change through her work. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys long walks and, despite having been in the UK for several years, hasn’t quite adjusted to the unpredictable weather—often found braving the elements in her reliable thermal undergarments!
Paula Sterling-Lawless
Board Member
I have spent almost 20 years working in social housing because I believe everyone deserves a safe, secure place to call home. Throughout my career, I have seen first hand the difference that stable housing, the right support and strong communities can make to people's lives, particularly for young people facing difficult circumstances.
I am currently the Head of Capital Delivery at Hackney Council, leading major investment programmes that improve the safety, quality and sustainability of council homes. My career has taken me through a range of leadership roles across local authorities and housing associations, giving me experience in building safety, asset management, resident engagement and strategic governance. One of the most significant experiences in my career was supporting housing programmes for Grenfell survivors, which reinforced the importance of listening to residents, acting with integrity and always putting people first.
Becoming a Trustee of CAYSH was a natural step for me. I am passionate about helping young people overcome barriers and access the opportunities they deserve. CAYSH's work in supporting young people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage aligns closely with the values that have guided my career in public service.
As a trustee, I hope to use my professional experience to support the charity's long term success while helping ensure it continues to provide life changing support to young people. I feel privileged to contribute to an organisation that is making such a meaningful difference within our communities.