Jonathan Shephard - Chief Executive

Jonathan read English and then law at Oxford University, winning two university prizes and the New Statesman Student Journalist Competition. After being called to the bar he worked for Which? (Consumers’ Association) in charge of financial research and then market research, survey research, business analysis and property. He has been MD of business and consumer magazine publishing companies, and in 2004 became CEO of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), where he brokered the settlement with the Office of Fair Trading on exchange of commercial information, and persuaded Government Ministers to leave unchanged the definition of public benefit in the Charities Act 2006. Between ISC and Autism West Midlands, he was CEO of the trade body for the UK magazine publishing industry. 

Dan Paget - Head of Finance

Dan joined Autism West Midlands in January 2011 as Head of Finance. Previously, he spent 9 years working for Deloitte, where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant. In his time at Deloitte, Dan spent 3 years in Audit and 6 years in Corporate Finance. In his Corporate Finance role, he advised a number of clients in the care sector on M&A transactions. Since his arrival at Autism West Midlands, Dan has transformed the financial management of the Charity and has been instrumental in driving through cost savings and efficiencies. 

Claire Fennell - Head of Community Services (Maternity leave)

Claire joined the charity in 2001 and began managing ASpire, our employment support service. She has extensive experience in forging links between service users and their communities, and is now our Head of Community Services.   

Sarah Francis - Communications Manager

Sarah joined Autism West Midlands in November 2010. She has a first class degree in Digital Art and Design, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Prior to this role, Sarah managed marketing and design for the Environment and Consumer Protection division at Hillingdon Council, and worked in media and communications teams at Hull and Brunel Universities. Sarah has also worked as a marketing and design consultant for large organisations including Glastonbury Festival and the O2 Arena in London.  

Kate Race - Development Manager

Kate began working for Autism West Midlands in 2005 at Coddington Court School where she worked with young people with Autism and Challenging Behaviours. Two years later she came to Birmingham to work specifically within Transition. This post led to working jointly with Birmingham City Council looking at improving Transition for all young people with a disability. This work included linking in with the National Transition Support Team at central government level in order to improve outcomes both locally and nationally. Her current post as Development Manager involves a wide range of activity including strategic implementation, profile raising and the development of services. 

Anabel Sainza-Fernandez - Operations Manager

Anabel came to Autism West Midlands in 2011 as Operations Manager. She has spent over nine years working with people with autism, seven of those in management positions. Her experience has covered a wide range of different settings including a residential school, supported living and outreach work. She has a degree in Psychology and a second degree in Criminology, and is currently undertaking a postgraduate qualification in Asperger Syndrome. As operations manager she is responsible for all regulated activity and is our nominated individual for the Care Quality Commission.