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Home / About us / Our people

Our people

Led by our Chief Officer’s Group (COG), Catch22 is made up of 1,000 people from across the country, brought together by common values.

Any success that Catch22 has is down to our people. We reflect the communities we work in, and we believe that diversity makes us stronger. But one thing runs through us all: a belief that people can thrive if they have a good place to live, good people around them and a clear purpose in life.

Naomi Hulston, Chief Executive Officer

Naomi is the CEO of Catch22 and holds an MBE. She brings more than 22 years of experience across strategic and operational roles in both the public and private sectors. Naomi has been with Catch22 for 21 years, during which time she has held 14 different positions, progressing from a volunteer to Chief Operating Officer in 2017.

Before joining Catch22, Naomi worked on a range of projects delivering and managing youth work, early intervention, and prevention services for young people at risk of social exclusion. In senior leadership roles, she has gained extensive experience across business development, operational leadership, governance, and organisational strategy.

Naomi holds a BA (Hons) in Youth and Community Work from Brunel University, Level 6 and 7 qualifications in Leadership and Management from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), and an MSc in Executive Leadership from Bayes Business School. She is also Co-Chair of the Bayes Business School EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) Council.

Headshot of Naomi Hulston

Nigel Richards, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Enabling and Sustainability Officer

Nigel is responsible for our corporate governance, risk, technology and financial sustainability. He’s the steady hand who ensures that we manage our resources effectively, and that we run a stable and well funded organisation.

Nigel joined Catch22 in 2012. He was previously at Working Links, where he was the Director for Financial Planning and Analysis.

Nigel is a Fellow of the ACCA, the global body for professional accountants, and a School Governor.

Melissa Milner, Chief Culture and Public Service Reform Officer

Melissa leads Catch22’s work on culture, leadership, people development, communications, policy influence and public service reform. Melissa is responsible for shaping the conditions that enable colleagues, services and partnerships to thrive, while helping to drive Catch22’s contribution to wider debates about the future of public services.

Melissa has worked at Catch22 for more than seven years, during that time, she has led major strategic initiatives, built high-profile partnerships with businesses and public sector organisations, and helped strengthen the organisation’s voice and influence nationally.

Before joining Catch22, Melissa held a range of communications, engagement and leadership roles across the public and third sectors. Her experience includes working with organisations to build partnerships, influence policy and deliver programmes that improve outcomes for communities.

Andy Canniford, Chief Impact and Growth Officer

Andy oversees Catch22’s Operations, Business Development and Partnerships functions.

With over 10 years in the charitable sector, Andy has a strong track record of developing and implementing strategies for sustainable growth. Prior to joining Catch22, he was Commercial Director at Shaw Trust where he oversaw significant growth, robust commercial principles, and the development of innovative operating models to meet the changing need of people and place.

Andy believes positive impact is best achieved through partnership and has a wide range of experience in developing organisational strategies for engagement and relationship building with stakeholders, commissioners and third sector organisations alike.