Sally Cheshire CBE reappointed as Chair of the Cafcass Board

Cafcass is delighted to confirm that Sally Cheshire CBE has been reappointed as Chair of the Cafcass Board.

Sally has been Chair since 1 April 2021 and her new term will run from 1 April 2024 until 13 May 2026. She has been a member of the Cafcass Board since May 2018 and previously held the role of Deputy Chair.

Sally is an experienced Chair, Board member and Audit Chair across the public sector. She has worked in adoption and public law for the past 15 years, including as a Board Member of the regional adoption agency, Adoption Counts, and an independent member of Adoption Panels in the North-West of England, which approve adopters and family matches in the best interests of children. Sally is herself an adoptive parent of three children.

Sally is currently also the Chair of NHS Resolution and has held several senior leadership roles across the NHS and the wider health and care sector, including with Health Education England, NHS North and the Health Research Authority. She is the former Chair of the HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority). Sally is also a member of the Departmental Audit and Risk Assurance Committee at the Department of Work and Pensions.

You can read more about the membership of the Cafcass Board on our website.

“I’m delighted to have been reappointed for a further two years as Chair of Cafcass. I’m incredibly proud of our staff and their valuable expert work to support children and families in court proceedings. It’s a real privilege to lead our brilliant Board members and senior team towards our ambition of an exceptional experience for every child, and I look forward to continuing to build on the excellent relationships we have with our family justice partners to deliver the best possible outcomes for the children and young people who need our help.”