Dheepa Balasundaram, Director of Finance

Dheepa joined Shelter in October 2008 from Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, where she was Deputy Director of Finance. Previously she held posts as Finance Director for the BBC World Service Trust and International Family Health.  She has also worked for the British Red Cross, GOAL, ActionAid and International Planned Parenthood Federation. Dheepa was also Treasurer for Bail for Immigration Detainees, and a Small Business Advisor for the Princes Youth Business Trust.

Kay Boycott, Director of Communications, Policy & Campaigns (CPC)

Kay joined Shelter from the world of global marketing in February 2009. During her career she has managed the brands of many household names, from Vodafone to Nestle Rowntree and Johnson & Johnson. Kay also has extensive public sector experience, and has been Non-Executive Director of Hammersmith & Fulham PCT for the past five years.

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland

Graeme took up the post of Director Shelter Scotland in July 2008 and prior to this he was Director of Communications, Policy and Campaigns for Shelter UK. He started his career in Glasgow and is a graduate of the School of Community Studies in Edinburgh. He has also worked in London and Canada and is Research Fellow for the Council of Europe. Graeme was an independent consultant at the Home Office, the Rough Sleepers Unit at the Department of the Environment, the Social Exclusion Unit in the Cabinet Office and a number of NGOs and local authorities prior to joining Shelter.

Diana Fawcett, Director of Operations

From 2004 to 2006, Diana was assistant director (housing services) at Bexley Council, responsible for a range of services including Supporting People and homelessness prevention. She joined Shelter in 2007 and manages more than 400 frontline housing advice and helpline staff across England, as well as the charity's legal aid team and training for Citizens Advice Bureau.

Richard Sweet, Managing Director of Retail and Commercial

Richard joined Shelter in January 2011. Prior to this he was with Marks and Spencer where he was Managing Director of M&S China, based in Shanghai, Head of International Franchising and held senior roles in Buying and Merchandising working across clothing, homeware and food. Richard has also worked for Selfridges department store and as a Retail Consultant.

Louise Parkes, Director of Fundraising

Louise Parkes joined Shelter in May 2009, she moved to Shelter from Help the Aged where she was the Head of Fundraising. Louise has worked in the voluntary sector for 16 years, and undertaken fundraising development roles at charities such as Cancer Research and National Deaf Children’s Society.

Louise also served as a Trustee on the board of Tamba (The Twins and Multiple Births Association) for nearly 5 years, where she provided fundraising expertise and overall strategic guidance on the governance of the charity.