CoramBAAF's Board of Directors meets on a quarterly basis. Board members come from different disciplines and include representatives from our membership.
Andrew Carter, Chair
Andrew has been the City of London Corporation’s Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services since 2017. He is responsible for the provision of housing adult social care and support, education, family and children’s services. Before joining the City of London Corporation he was the Head of Children’s Social Care at Thurrock Council in Essex. He has over 20 years of experience across child and family social work having obtained a Masters in Social Work from the University of Sussex in 1994.
John Jones, Treasurer
John is the Independent Pension Board Chair for Dyfed and Tower Hamlets council pension funds. He has worked as the Director of Finance for two London boroughs and is a former Director at the Mayor of London's office.
Ziafat Ali
Ziafat is Director of Thrive Education and Care which operates a number of residential homes for looked after children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. He founded Olive Branch Fostering in 2015 which provided safe and nurturing fostering families for hundreds of children in care. As a former educationalist and accomplished executive director, he brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in both care and education. Ziafat is experienced in leading children’s services through strategic planning, partnership working and setting standards. His passion for helping vulnerable children in society drive his efforts to ensure the best possible outcomes are achieved for children and young people.
Dr Carol Homden CBE
Carol is a member of the National Adoption Recruitment Forum & Adoption Leadership Board. Carol started her career setting up print media enterprises in East Anglia before moving to London as a freelance arts journalist and editor. She then became Director of Marketing and Development at the University of Westminster, later moving to the British Museum in 1999 as its first Director of Marketing and Public Affairs. Her affinity for improving the lives of young people motivated her to accept the position of Commercial Director for the Prince’s Trust in 2003, where she was responsible for all aspects of income generation. Carol became Chief Executive of Coram in April 2007. She is Chair of the National Autistic Society, and a member of the Department for Education’s Children’s Interagency Group (CIAG) and the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales. Carol was awarded a CBE in 2013 for her contribution to services for children and families.
Marcella McHugh
Service Manager of Adoption, Fostering and Placements, London Borough of Lambeth
Velou manages the Coram Group Finance and Resources. Velou is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and completed his Master of Business administration in Finance and Information Systems. Velou has 20 years of Financial sector experience, working in managerial positions in different sectors including commerce, industry, education and the voluntary sector. Velou is Qualified by Experience and also a part qualified member of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in UK. Velou has contributed to the development of financial regulations for charities under the Statement of Recommended Practices (SORP) to the charity commission and was a member of the HM Revenue & Customs consultation group on Vat reforms for charities.