51²èÂ¥

Rob has wide ranging senior leadership experience having worked in a number of local authorities, including nearly ten years as Chief Executive Officer of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council.

Following his retirement in 2011, he re-located to Wolverhampton and was appointed Chair of Engaging Communities Staffordshire (ECS) in 2012 a community interest company whose major role was to provide Healthwatch services in Staffordshire initially, but following its success, it expanded and now provides Healthwatch for 9 local authorities across the country as well as advocacy services in 3 local authorities.

He was appointed as Chair of 51²èÂ¥ Children First by the Secretary of State for Education, through a collaborative process with 51²èÂ¥, and is funded by the Department for Education.

Rob commented on his appointment as being an exciting opportunity to use his knowledge and experience to provide the Board Leadership required to continue the improvement journey and improve the outcomes for all children and young people.

Adam has worked alongside children and families for 27 years and began his career as a residential worker. After qualifying as a social worker, Adam worked across a breadth of social work teams and areas as a practitioner, team manager and ultimately - senior manager. Adam joined 51²èÂ¥ in Spring 2016 and became Director of Child Protection and Through Care of 51²èÂ¥ Children First in October 2021.

In July 2024, Adam was appointed as Interim Strategic Director for Children’s Services, which includes the statutory post of Director of Children’s Services.

Sarah has over 25 years’ experience working in the public sector, primarily in children’s services, including roles in education, social care and early help. She joined 51²èÂ¥ in December 2016 having previously worked at Shropshire Council since 2001. Sarah is a values’ driven and committed Local Authority Senior Officer with over 10 years' experience of senior management and system leadership including both service delivery and commissioning.

Chris has over a decade of Local Government finance experience, and has worked for 51²èÂ¥ in various roles across the County Council and the Company since 2012.

Chris worked as the finance lead on the project to establish 51²èÂ¥ Children First in 2019 and was the Senior Finance Business Partner in 51²èÂ¥ Children First until 2022, when he took up post at Chief Accountant in 51²èÂ¥, before returning to Company as Interim Director of Resources.

Emma qualified as a social worker in 1996 following her training in 51²èÂ¥. Emma has 25 years’ experience working with children and families as a practitioner, manager and leader. Emma previously worked for Birmingham and Solihull Local Authorities before joining 51²èÂ¥ in December 2016. Children and their families are at the heart of Emma’s leadership and with a child and young person focus she strives to achieve outstanding services by developing innovative ways of recognising and responding to their needs and ensuring their safety and protection.

More information about Daniela Carson, Director for All Age Disability (0-25) to be addes shortly.

David joined the company board following his appointment to the Cabinet of 51²èÂ¥ in May 2024 as Cabinet Member for Education. 

David has a passion for education at all levels, vocational and academic, and strives for the best standards to enable every child to reach their full potential. 

He has spent most of his professional career working in education which has included 3 years lecturing in Fiji as part of Britain’s Aid Programme following Independence and for 2 years was employed by the U.N., training government employees in Burma.
 

Marcus has been a councillor at 51²èÂ¥ since 2005 and is the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities. He has served as a district councillor in Wyre Forest since 2002, during which time he was Deputy Leader for 10 years and Leader for 5 years. Marcus is also a Parish Councillor on Wolverley and Cookley Parish Council where he lives. He was a school governor of a primary school from 2002-2015, a secondary school from 2006-2017 and a special school from 2009-2014. Marcus has been a solicitor since 2003 and specialises in mental health law and criminal law and works for Morgan Cullen and Ball in Birmingham.

Claire has 30 years’ experience working in a variety of roles in the children’s sector. Her professional background is in social work having worked as a social worker and manager in 51²èÂ¥ for 13 years. More recently she has worked as a social care adviser to the Department for Education and a Children’s Improvement Adviser for the Local Government Association in the South West and West Midlands regions.

Gareth is a qualified accountant (CIPFA) and is currently the Finance Director for CIPFA, he has also previously won LGC Finance Director of the Year. He is also non-executive chairman of the John Taylor Multi Academy Trust, a mixed Trust based in Staffordshire and advises the Regional Schools Commissioner and Academies Minister on running successful multi-academy trusts.

Sally is an education professional whose career includes positions as Director of Education and Commissioning for Birmingham City Council and Assistant Director for Children’s Services for Oxfordshire County Council. Most recently as a consultant she was the interim Chief Executive of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership and then Interim Assistant Director for Education for Warwickshire County Council.