Our Trustees
Sean Tizzard
ChairSean returned to be a Home-Start Horizons trustee in 2021 having previously being involved with Home Start Leicester and the transition into Home-Start Horizons. He has a background in the world of funding having previously worked for the Big Lottery Fund and the youth homelessness charity, LandAid.
Paul Akroyd
TreasurerI have held a number of Project & Programme Management roles across the Public & Private Sectors latterly with a focus on health & social care including roles in Adult Social Care & Public Health at Leicester City Council.
I currently work for Voluntary Action Leicestershire managing a team providing support to the voluntary and community sector across Leicester & Leicestershire. In addition to being a trustee I am also a HSH parent volunteer.
Outside work I regularly compete in triathlons and can often be seen playing rugby badly with the mighty Aylestone Athletic RFC.
Louise Pettitt
TrusteeI’ve been working in the early year’s sector, with families and their children for over 25 years now, originally from Bradford West Yorkshire, l’ve been in Leicester for 23 years & worked alongside local Home-Starts for 19 years. I’m a parent of 2 teenage children and understand the struggles, strains and juggling act with every day parenting!
Home-Start Horizons provide amazing support to parents and their children and that is why I am more than happy to be involved. I really believe in giving children the best start, the 1001 critical days are fundamental to everything a child needs and that is why I’m passionate about this the work everyone at Home-Start Horizons do
Happy Truemper
TrusteeHappy is a highly motivated individual with a strong educational background. She has a BSc in Sociology from the University of Westminster and an MA in International Human Resource Management from the University of Greenwich. Fun fact, Happy actually started volunteering at a local church in Germany when she was 16 years old! With over 5 years of experience in social and health care, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Happy excels in responding to current and future HR needs, building relationships, and finding effective solutions. As a trustee, she’s dedicated to contributing to the organization’s success. She’s a valuable asset to any team or project.
“Personally, the impact Home-Start Horizons had on my life was profound. From being a family that was given a chance, to being part of the board of trustees at Homestart. It’s an incredible honour, as it allows me to have a say and make a difference. I believe wholeheartedly in the mission and the opportunity to positively impact the lives of others (families and children). “
June Gomez
TrusteeJune has worked and volunteered in the Voluntary Community & Social Enterprise Sector for the last 21 years. She has a passion for helping people, organisations, and projects to reach their full potential. Her interests lie within family support, race equality and social justice areas, with her specialist skills in fundraising and governance. Outside of work, June enjoys walking, nature and up-cycling.
Ruth Ottley
TrusteeCurrently employed by VINCI Energies UK, as Lead Coordinator for the VINCI UK Foundation; I came to know of HSH when they applied for funding through the Foundation back in 2024. Having visited some of the support groups to assess them for their application, it became clear to me that I would like to do more and be a part of the amazing work they do in the community.
I am a grandmother of 3 and believe that making a difference in the early years will give them the best chance of navigating life and so the ethos of HSH sits well with my beliefs. It’s an honour to be able to give something back, having had a wonderful childhood myself. Every child deserves the best start in life.
I am new to the Board of Trustees for HSH but have been in my current role within the VINCI UK Foundation for 10 years and whilst working for a large organisation, I can bring the skills of my team to help where necessary and offer support in many aspects of running a charity.
Our Staff
Home-Start Horizons has a lean structure with a CEO, Stuart Sullivan, the conduit between the strategic Board of Trustees and the organisation. The Senior Management Team ensure the organisation is financially and operationally sound and operates within UK Charity and Company Law, safeguarding all staff, volunteers and families supported. Frontline staff supporting volunteers and families deliver support within the organisation’s policies and are all skilled, experienced and qualified early help professionals.