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.
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.
André Chopra
Business Development Manager
André Chopra is an accomplished Business Development Manager with a passion to drive growth. With experience across industries, André brings a unique blend of expertise, adapting to diverse environments to add value.
André has gained a deep understanding of the importance of sustainable growth and strategic partnerships. His ability to identify opportunities for growth and develop strategies for impact sets him apart in the field.
As part of the Leadership Team at CAYSH, André is dedicated to driving the organisation’s mission forward by implementing innovative strategies to enhance fundraising efforts and securing key partnerships. His strong business acumen allows him to identify new revenue streams and explore innovative funding models for long-term sustainability.
With empathy, discipline, and equality at the forefront of his mantra, André stays up to date with the latest trends and best practices in the field to make a lasting impact. His leadership and innovative approach to business development continues to make a powering impact to the lives CAYSH serves.
Trustees
Bhavesh Padhiar
The Chair
Bav is an experienced operational risk manager who is effective in building robust management structures, decision making in high-pressured situations, and leading large teams. With over a decade worth of experience in the financial sector, Bav has sat on a number of governance committees and is skilled at challenging people and processes in a manner which is both supportive and progressive. Bav is a CAYSH board member and sits on the Personnel and Services Committee. Born and educated in South East London, his decision to join CAYSH was heavily influenced by a number of years as a youth worker, interacting directly with young inner-city children. Bav holds a first class degree with honours in Economics & Management Science.
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.
Liam Keogh
Board Member
Liam is a business leader, entrepreneur, investor, advisor and communications, marketing and PR specialist with nearly 20 years’ experience in the industry.
In 2010 he Co-Founded a Public Relations and MarComms agency, following a career as a journalist. During his 13 year tenure at the business, he worked with the leadership team to grow the agency into an award-winning business, with an exceptional reputation in the industry.
Liam has expertise across all comms disciplines, from PR, to influencer marketing, social media, copywriting, advertising and brand identity. He has led communications strategies for literally hundreds of businesses, from start-ups that went on to change their industry, to charitable enterprises and multinational conglomerates behind the biggest brands in the world. In 2023 he was named the “Outstanding Professional” of the PR industry by the PRCA and he has also been shortlisted as the “Consultancy Head of the Year” in the PRCA National Awards.
Since exiting his agency, Liam works in education and as a Non-Executive Director, board advisor and consultant for multiple businesses, supporting them fulfil their growth ambitions. He is particularly skilled in helping companies develop excellent work cultures, winning the PRCA “Workplace Champion” award for this work at his agency.
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.
Carrie Galvau
Board Member
Carrie is a lawyer specialising in media and entertainment. With over fifteen years’ experience in the industry, Carrie has sat on governance boards and held senior managements positions in some of the most well-known companies within the sector including BBC Studios and ITV. Carrie lived (and was educated) in Croydon from the age of ten until eighteen, when she left to attend Cardiff University to read Law. In addition to her professional achievements, Carrie has undertaken various charitable endeavours, including doing a skydive, running the London Marathon and volunteering for Shelter over the Christmas period. Carrie’s decision to join CAYSH was influenced by her connection to Croydon, and her passion for helping young people to live in safety and security and, furthermore, ensuring that young people are given the tools and support to develop to their full potential.
Denise Sanderson-Escort
Board Member
Denise is a senior HR professional who has worked in a range of HR roles for over 25 years, mostly in the not-for-profit sector in recent years including work with several housing-oriented charities. Denise’s focus areas include learning & organisational development, and equity, diversity & inclusion (EDI). Her most recent employed role was Head of People for the Open Data Institute, prior to which she has worked for organisations including the Royal College of Physicians, the British Lung Foundation, and Nacro. She is a Fellow of the CIPD, has managed several consultancy projects and has spoken at various conferences. Denise was a Trustee of Langely House Trust for 9 years, during which time she sat on both the Audit and People Committees. She currently also sits on the Board of MHA and is a Lay Tribunal Member for her HM Courts and Tribunal Service. As well as her work in HR, Tribunal and Trustee work, Denise is a trained colour & image consultant and Body Confidence Coach! Denise is a mum of one, a football fan and loves dining out. She is active in her local Church as an All-Age service leader and member of the Worship Team. Denise is a member of the People and Services Committee.
Elizabeth Odigie
Board Member
Having enjoyed dedicating much voluntary and paid experience to helping others within local communities, Liz has become a member of the CAYSH team in August 2024, providing support in a Safeguarding capacity. Liz currently works as a Senior Operations Manager and CQC Registered Manager within Community Addictions services in London, with previous experience including Safeguarding Lead, Designated Safeguarding Officer, Senior Registered Manager and other Senior Management roles within Acquired Brain Injury services, Women’s Health Services and Mental Health. In a voluntary capacity, Liz provides support as co-chair to the Hammersmith and Fulham (H&F) Safeguarding Adults Board’s Quality in Practice Subgroup, an Advisory Committee Member to Healthwatch, while also operating as the delegate for Mental Health Stakeholders in H&F to the local Integrated Care Board’s Health and Care Partnership, following the overall ethos of increasing access to good quality support and improvement of health equity and equality for all.
Joyce Castañeda
Board Member
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!