Who We Are

Nick Hine joined the Royal Navy in 1985, enjoying a series of promotions through to his most recent role of Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, where he was responsible for a £7bn annual budget and the employment of over 30,000 people. He served as commanding officer of HMS Blackwater, as Executive Officer of HMS Splendid and has held several senior Navy and Government positions. In 2015, he was given permission to wear the Bronze Star Medal awarded to him by the President of the United States, and he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2018. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and holds degrees from City University and King’s College, London. He has since retired from the Navy in April 2022.

Nick was diagnosed as autistic in 2010 and comments that it felt like a weight had been lifted in terms of understanding of who he is, whilst also giving him a new understanding of how the world looked – designed by neurotypical people for neurotypical people. He has always been clear that his autism is a gift, but recognises that others often need more help. Nick’s public stance on neurodiversity, the need for support for those on the autistic spectrum and his championing of the strengths of people on the autistic spectrum led to him establishing the Neurodiversity Network for colleagues, to create an inclusive culture where diversity could be embraced.
Email: nick@resourcesforautism.org.uk

With a career deeply rooted in professional services, Becky has covered all areas of HR. Currently leading Talent Acquisition at CMS, which also includes pipelining Emerging Talent and developing through to qualification. She enjoys elements such as designing the Talent strategy and EVP, as well as creating new Emerging Talent websites.

Becky has a passion for leadership development and supporting others to achieve their goals. She is accredited in Strengthscope and is a Meyler Campbell Business Coach. Her time spent coaching clients in Resources for Autism provided invaluable insights into the charity sector.

Becky is a single parent of a neurodiverse son and also owns an 11-year-old Labrador. She is deeply committed to driving a better understanding of neurodiversity and highlighting the strengths that neurodiverse talent brings to an organisation. Her personal experiences gave her firsthand insight, into the challenges of securing specialist educational provision, for autistic children. Becky understands that not everyone is able to overcome these challenges and may require support in advocating for themself or those they care for. This fuels her passion for ensuring that those who need support receive it.

Email: becky@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Brian Linden is a chartered accountant and founding partner of the private equity firm Cinven since 1985 where he remains a director. Following his time at Cinven, Brian founded and chairs the charity 2nd Chance which offers personalised programmes young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to improve their education and gain sustainable employment. Brian is also the chairman of Student Cribs, one of the leading student accommodation businesses for second and third year university students in the UK. Brian is particularly keen on making sure that adults with profound autism gain the support that they so badly need.
Email: brian@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Caroline Montgomery is a graduate of the University College of Wales and has spent her entire career in publishing, predominantly as a Literary Agent.   Her connection to RFA began at its inception, as her parents were both founding members of the charity, her mother a board member until her death in 2017. Caroline was proud to be invited to continue her mother’s work as a Trustee and looks forward to being part of RFA’s ongoing journey.
Email: carolinem@resourcesforautism.org.uk

President of Resources for Autism. Barrister and Author. Did research on Autism. Initiated the first debate in Parliament on Autism in 1995. Helped Found Resources for Autism the following year. Held various public offices.
Email: hartley@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Marc Hommel has enjoyed a 40+ year career as a strategic management consultant to large and complex multinational corporations, private enterprises, investors, governments and regulators — covering leadership, people and workforce management, business transformation, reward and pensions.  He was a partner in PwC for 17 years, where he sat on their global and UK leadership boards for people and workforce advisory.  He has also built and runs his own enterprises and been CEO of an innovative and ground-breaking financial services subsidiary of a FTSE100 company.  Today he works with, coaches and mentors leaders and enterprises in a range of areas, including helping improve outcomes and vitality for businesses and their people through better embracing inclusivity.

Marc has four daughters, two of whom are autistic – and he is currently going through the autism diagnostic process himself.  He is a passionate and compassionate advocate for greater neuro-inclusivity in society, education, medicine and the workplace.  Both neuro-divergent and neuro-typcial people need greater help to understand, respect, benefit from and engage with peoples of all diversities, including neuro-diversity.

As a father, husband, son and brother, Marc has for many years raised charitable funds for autistic and other challenged children and adults, including through his interest in long-distance cycling challenges.
Email: marc@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Raymond is Resources for Autism’s treasurer and Company Secretary. He has been a board member since the organisation was formed and is a solicitor with extensive personal experience of Autism.
Email: raymond@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Ruth is an LSE graduate with 15 years in the Recruitment industry, both in the UK & Australia. As a parent of an Autistic child she has direct experience of the diagnostic process, and how vital it is to engage with the necessary support networks to
ensure the best possible outcome for both the individual on the spectrum, and their family members. She is passionate about delivering a service that bridges the gap between medical and educational services, that is fully accessible to the broad and diverse communities we represent.
Email: ruth@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Phil started as CEO in April 2024. He is passionate about equality, fairness and wellbeing. Phil endeavours to lead with these values as well as honesty and integrity. Always keen to learn Phil is a Mental Health First Aider, has completed training in Inclusive Leadership, Autism Awareness and has qualifications in Leadership & Management via the ILM.

 

Phil has gained experience in many areas along his career journey including work in prisons, schools and sales and has developed high level skills in marketing, fundraising, people management, contract management, networking, building management and more. Phil brings many years of senior management and CEO experience to RfA.

 

Inspired by the work of Resources for Autism and motivated by his own personal experience of autism within his own family Phil is driven by the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of autistic people and their families every day.

Email: phil@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Iris has been a part of Resources for Autism since 2010. She originally joined as a volunteer but quickly became a part of the team; having since been involved in setting up and running a range of services.  

Iris brings a broad background of experiences in Education, special needs and psychology. She has worked across a range of services, both voluntary and statutory, supporting individuals with special needs and poor mental health. Iris has developed an interest in providing care for individuals holistically by looking at their circumstances, and the needs of their family in relation to their strengths.
Email: iris@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Davina has been a part of Resources for Autism since joining as a playworker in 2005. Over the last 15 years she has worked across a variety of settings within the autism sector including education, social care, early intervention, adult services and other national autism charities. Davina has a passion for autism and behaviour which comes directly from her hands on experience with autistic individuals of all ages and needs. Davina has completed a Positive Behaviour Support certification and is also one of Resources for Autism’s qualified Team Teach trainers. Davina is also a qualified therapeutic counsellor specialising in integrative art and has a special interest in providing this for adolescents with autism / additional needs.
Email: davina@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Rajan Thevasagayam is our Finance Manager who has joined our team on a part time basis. He is a qualified Chartered Certified accountant who has over thirty five years of audit and accountancy experience in many different sectors such as auditing, banking, retailing and for the last 14 years has been working in the charity sector including  a  9 year role as  head of finance of a major international charity. He has also worked in both Sri Lanka and UK.
Email: rajan@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Nick joined RfA after more than a decade in arts fundraising. He originally started his career as a management consultant but then moved into policy and strategy roles within the voluntary sector, first working in youth volunteering and then moving into  VCS liaison roles in local and central government before taking on his first fundraising role as Director of Development at Worcester Cathedral. His first contact with RfA was when his then-8 year old son started at a Birmingham Saturday club (he is now 13 and still attends).
Email: ndrew@resourcesforautism.org.uk