Polly Neate
chief executive, Women's Aid

Polly Neate joined Women’s Aid as Chief Executive in February 2013. Leading the organisation through a time of significant challenge and change, she is also a prominent commentator on violence against women, and on sexism and feminism more widely. Throughout Polly’s career she has influenced government and campaigned for policy change and social justice. Her previous role was as Executive Director of External Relations and Communications at Action for Children, one of the UK’s largest charities. Her responsibilities included public policy, campaigns, research, communications, brand and fundraising. In 2008 she was responsible for the relaunch of the organisation, formerly NCH. She also developed organisational strategy and led significant cultural change and staff engagement programmes.

Polly is a journalist by profession, with her last media job being as editor of Community Care, a major weekly title for professionals in children’s services and social care which under her control included two magazines as well as web-based products and large-scale events. She has contributed to national newspapers, magazines and books. She won several awards as an editor, both for journalism and campaigning. She has been a member of many advisory and working groups for government and opposition. She was recently voted one of the Top 30 charity CEOs on Twitter and can be followed at @pollyn1

Follow Polly on Twitter: @Pollyn1