Meet the team

Cathy joined Starlight in September 2017 having been CEO of blood cancer research charity Bloodwise for 10 years and a Director of Willow Foundation. She joined the charity sector as a volunteer in 1999 following the death of her 8-year-old cousin from leukaemia and has a passion to do all that she can to help improve the lives of families affected by serious illness. Before that she had a successful career as a fashion buyer and having been brought up in Derbyshire, wildlife and nature remain her strongest passions particularly the conservation of British wildlife.

Dr Krutika Pau joined Starlight in June 2019 after working for the Royal National Institute for the Blind and as Director of Children’s Services for The Children’s Society. Krutika’s long public sector career has largely focused on delivering statutory children’s services in central and local government. Krutika has worked for the Department of Education and was the statutory Director of Children’s Services in the London Borough of Brent and Slough Borough Council.

Nicky joined Starlight as Director of Finance & Resources in May 2020 after spending four years as Director of Finance & IT at Nightingale Hammerson, a charity dedicated to elderly residential and nursing care. Prior to that, having spent the first half of her career in audit practice, she worked at British Military Fitness, for some years the country’s leading outdoor fitness company, first as Financial Controller and then Chief Finance Officer.

She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

Sarah joined Starlight in September 2019 as Director of Fundraising and Marketing.

Her career began at an independent television production company and then at BBC EastEnders in the publicity. Sarah then joined Comic Relief where she led the media team before becoming Head of Marketing and Fundraising, implementing marketing, fundraising and communications strategies for more than a decade and helping to raise over £1 billion. She then became Director of Marketing and Audience Engagement at The Charity for Civil Servants working with Government to improve the lives of civil servants.

With three children, Sarah is thrilled to be able to use her skills and experience to help children who are seriously ill.

Alain Wolffe is a former Executive Director of Strategy and Governance at Canada Life.

He brings a wealth of corporate governance and strategy development experience to the Board as well as empathy and interest in Starlight Children’s Services as the father of a 12-year-old with cerebral palsy.

Alasdair Hadden-Paton is Vice Chairman of Starlight and a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years financial experience in the luxury goods, hotel, property investment and venture capital sectors.

Alasdair has recently formed a Development Committee for Starlight, bringing together a talented and creative group of people who will help to develop existing and new events for Starlight beginning with a ball at Blenheim Palace on March 22nd in support of Oar-Inspiring.

Alasdair has a passion for the countryside and enjoys participating in a number of sports, in particular shooting, fishing, golf, tennis and skiing.

Anna Gawn is a senior consultant who advices NGOs, UN agencies, Governments and others on protection from abuse and safeguarding in international development and humanitarian aid. She provides valuable advice to Starlight on matters that relate to safeguarding.

Dr. Chris Evans is an NHS Paediatric Anaesthetist who has an in depth understanding of the UK health care system and the psychological burden of hospital visits.

This combined with his experience of innovation and digital technology will help Starlight to develop new services directly in response to the research we are doing in to the needs of seriously ill children.

Hina Patel is a senior strategic project manager from investment firm BlackRock.

In her first Trustee role, Hina brings valuable experience of strategic leadership and has experienced the power of a Starlight Wish in her own family. Hina’s experience of strategy development and implementation is invaluable to Starlight.

Ian Harding is currently a managing Partner at Arcus Infrastructure. He  joined the Board at Starlight this year, bringing with him a wealth of fundraising, financial and governance expertise

Mark Tasker is head of Bates Wells and Braithwaite’s Corporate and Commercial department and has more than 20 years’ experience of advising clients on corporate transactional work.

He is Starlight’s longest serving Trustee and especially loves helping fulfil wishes and provide exceptional experiences at Starlight Escapes. Most recently, he has been helping to drive forward a review of governance at Starlight including the review of the governing documents, redefining the role and responsibilities of Trustees, skills audit and the recruitment of new Trustees.

Mark loves skiing and cooking in his very precious spare time.