Trustees and governance

Our trustees bring a wealth of experience in psychology and mental health, international charities, campaigns and communications, organisational development and more.

They are supported by committees of experts in training, research, fundraising, communications and finance.
Read our Annual Report

A recent meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Maria Callias

Maria Callias

Chair

Dr Maria Callias is a consultant clinical psychologist and a founder of Children and War UK. She has worked in specialist clinical services for children and young people with autism, learning disabilities and other complex mental health issues including trauma, and their families. Maria has taught, researched and written widely on clinical psychology, and contributed to strategic policy and service development in the UK, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Until 2021 she was a director of Norway’s Children and War Foundation.
Catherine Copping

Catherine Copping

Catherine Copping is a non-practising solicitor, qualified in the UK and Hong Kong. She worked for many years in corporate law for two international law firms and has also worked in-house for a global agrochemical company and taught law at the University of Hong Kong. Catherine has a BSc from University College London and more recently completed an MA in History of Art with the Open University.
Julian Hale

Julian Hale

Treasurer (acting)

Julian Hale has worked for the UN, as a modern language text publisher and as a radio documentary producer for the BBC. He is the author of a wide range of non-fiction books on radio propaganda, Romania, the French Riviera, and the life of a portrait sculptor, as well as novels and short stories.
Lorie Halliday

Lorie Halliday

Secretary

Lorie Halliday brings 20 years of advocacy and volunteering experience to helping achieve CAW’s vision and goals. She has worked and studied across Southeast Asia, primarily as a journalist, covering social justice and human rights. She has a master’s degree in International Journalism Studies, and she previously worked as a Director for a London-based charity, serving East and South-east Asian migrants in the UK.

Dr Helen Likierman

Dr Helen Likierman

Fundraising lead

Helen Likierman, a clinical psychologist, has worked with children, adolescents and families in hospital and school settings. Her research ranges from the psychological impact on children who sustained facial or body burns, to pre-schoolers’ peer relationships. She has co-authored three books for parents: on development in the early years, and on specific learning difficulties.
Stephen Regal

Stephen Regal

Training lead

Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham, Stephen founded the Centre for Trauma, Resilience and Growth and developed the first academic Trauma Studies programme in the UK. He is a trauma therapist and trainer, with four decades of experience working with survivors of trauma both in the NHS and a range of other organisations, including the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, ICRC and UNHCR.

John Smith

John Smith

John Smith is a founding and current board member of Hostage US and former Chairman of Hostage International; both charities provide practical and pastoral support for hostages and their families.  After service in the British Army in general and specialist roles he has worked in senior risk management roles. He is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and Manchester University where he read Psychology.
Read stories about the charity

Governance

We are a charity registered in England and Wales. We take governance seriously and pay special attention to the safeguarding of children.

Trustees

Our Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of Children and War UK. They report to the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Safeguarding children

All adults who run groups are required to comply with the safeguarding policies that apply in their countries.

Privacy policy and GDPR

We protect supporters’ and trainees’ personal data and will only use it for the purposes they have agreed to. We do not share personal data with anyone else, nor do we sell personal data. Our privacy policy is here.

Ethical fundraising

We are registered with the Fundraising Regulator. Our fundraising is compliant with their standards.

Fundraising Regulator logo

You can make a difference

Our mission is to help children overcome the trauma of wars and other disasters. 

You can support this life-changing work by making a donation or raising funds.

Support our life-changing work
We're Recruiting!