Nicole Fayard, Chair of the Board
A Steady Voice at the Heart of Freeva
Nicole first connected with Freeva while organising a symposium on gender-based violence and abuse at the University of Leicester. That collaboration led her to join the Board before later stepping into the role of Chair.
Her academic work focuses on gender, visual culture and trauma, and she brings both personal understanding and professional expertise to her leadership.
As Chair, she helps hold the focus on client safety, the quality of services and the wellbeing of the team who deliver them. She is thoughtful, steady and deeply committed to strengthening Freeva’s impact.
Outside of meetings, she enjoys music, theatre, ballet, running and long walks in the countryside, grounding, creative spaces that bring balance to the work.
Leadership That Listens, Learns and Strengthens
Claudia
Claudia became a trustee after her own lived experience of domestic abuse. After time spent healing, she reached a place where she wanted to turn something painful into purpose.
What drew her to Freeva was our whole-system approach. Supporting survivors, working with those who use harmful behaviours, engaging young people and equipping professionals all fit together to create real change.
What feels most meaningful for her is seeing decisions made at Board level translate into real impact on the ground. When services grow, when funding is secured, when survivors feel supported with dignity and care — the purpose is clear.
Her advice to potential trustees is simple. Choose an organisation whose mission matters deeply to you, and come with openness to learn as well as offer your skills.
Perween
For Perween, the motivation to become a trustee came from empathy and a deep sense of justice. As a mother, the knowledge that some children grow up in fear rather than safety is something she cannot look away from.
With experience in establishing and leading organisations, she supported Freeva through a period of strengthening, clarifying strategy, embedding financial oversight and ensuring the organisation could grow with stability.
The most rewarding part for her is knowing that people experiencing vulnerability and fear are met with care and connection. And she values
Freeva’s willingness to reflect and adapt, always asking how we can better serve the people who need us.
Glyn
Glyn has worked in domestic and sexual abuse services at regional and national levels for more than 20 years. He has seen services rise and fall with changes in funding, which makes strong governance and clear values vital.
He was drawn to Freeva’s commitment to supporting survivors of any gender, and to our work with individuals wishing to change their behaviour. To him, meaningful change requires addressing harm from all sides.
The most rewarding part of his role is knowing the Board is helping shape real social justice in practice.
As he put it, Freeva’s work is not only life changing, it is often life saving.
David
David brings a wealth of financial and business experience to the Board, as a qualified accountant who has worked across both private and public sectors. His role helps ensure that Freeva is financially secure, transparent and well-positioned to continue providing essential services.
When he is not working, he enjoys cycling, golf, walking his two dogs and spending time with his family, including three grown-up daughters and five lively grandchildren.
For David, volunteering as a trustee is about contributing to something that genuinely makes a difference in people’s lives.
He values being part of a charity working to create safety, understanding and hope where it is most needed.
We Have A Compassionate Leadership That Matters
Our Trustees may not always be visible, but their impact is felt everywhere:
in safeguarding frameworks, in strategic decisions, in the stability of services and in the care held for survivors and families.
Their leadership makes it possible for Freeva to continue offering safety, connection and hope.
