Meet our board
Our work is directed by the people who know best - our members and customers. We are run by the people who use our services and led by a board of trustees directly accountable to all other members.
We are governed by a board of trustees with majority representation of disabled people, people with health conditions, and carers.
Eva Eriksson
Chair
I am a qualified social worker and have worked in social care, in both the voluntary and local government sectors, for over 40 years. I began my career as a support worker for people with learning disabilities in Sweden and went on to work as a registered manager, operations director and Chief Executive in services for adults with learning disabilities, autistic people as well as dementia services and mental health services.
In the last 20 years, I have been the CEO of Grace Eyre, a regional charity supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people. I also chair a multi-sports club for people with learning disabilities.
I am passionate about ensuring people have choice and control over their lives and delivering high quality support. I am strongly committed to involving and engaging the people we support and their families, to ensure that people with lived experience should lead the organisations that provide support.
I bring with me a deep commitment to enabling people we support to shape their organisations and developing partnerships to provide greater impact for our people and communities.
Gemma Baldwin
Vice Chair
My career spanning almost two decades has been entirely focused within the not-for-profit sector. I am immensely motivated by organisations that make a tangible difference to people’s lives and whose values align to my own. I bring extensive experience of HR, L&D, Organisational Development, and strategic leadership in highly regulated environments including Social Care and Social Housing.
I am passionate about challenging the status quo and take a very person-centred approach to her work. Outside of work I live in Ferring with my husband and our rather demanding rescue cat Pickle! I am a bit of a foodie, love to travel, and am partial to a good gin. I am very excited to join Independent Lives and look forward to meeting everyone.
Adil Siganporia
Treasurer
I am a qualified accountant with over 10 years of experience working in Finance and Accountancy in manufacturing and services industries.
Jo Tuck
Trustee
I am a working single mum with lived experience of disability and a keen interest in health and social care. I am passionate about choice, independence and equality for all.
Toby Hewson
Trustee
I'm a passionate advocate in the disability sector, living with cerebral palsy. Over the years, I have become a prominent speaker and champion for disability rights. I've had the privilege of addressing audiences in the UK and internationally, sharing my insights on disability issues.
Lucy Casey
Trustee
I started my career in HR in the NHS rotating across a number of different Trusts in Sussex, Kent and London. Since then I have had experience working for the World Health Organisation and in the Property and Financial Services Industries.
I am excited to support a fantastic charity and utilise my skills and experience gained across different sectors to support in further excelling the great services Independent Lives provides.
Lucas McGregor
Trustee
I was born in the United States and have a lifelong connection to the autism and disabled community, as someone who is autistic and dyslexic. My personal and family experiences have led me to engage in outreach and volunteer work throughout my life. I've benefited from inclusive communities and have worked to create the same for others. Professionally, I champion programmes that enable and include people with disabilities, fostering environments where everyone can participate.
Barbara Cifer
Trustee
I am an experienced complaints, quality and customer experience leader with fifteen years in senior roles across regulated technology and software businesses. As a certified ISO lead auditor, Lean Six Sigma practitioner and Data Protection Officer, I bring strong expertise in governance, quality, data protection and continuous improvement.
I am passionate about fair outcomes and keeping people at the heart of every decision, which is what drew her to Independent Lives and our user-led approach to supporting customers.
Away from work, she is a keen reader and enthusiastic home cook.
