Our Board of Trustees
Mark Richardson
Chair of Trustees
Mark has lived in Derbyshire for nearly 30 years and is a Partner at BB&J Commercial Property Consultants based in Derby city centre. He is a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and, as a Registered Valuer, provides property and development valuations to clients including banks, pension funds, charities, and a range of others in both the private and public sectors. As an Accredited Expert Witness, he also prepares valuation reports for the legal profession and courts on a variety of issues including litigation, professional negligence, and tax.
He wants to help Safe and Sound better engage with the business community – raising the charity’s profile and increase its fundraising capacity to help more of those whose lives are affected and in need of support.
Adam Buss
Vice Chair of Trustees
Adam is the former CEO of QUAD – Derby’s £11 million centre for art and film – with responsibilities for strategic direction on key areas including event management, media profiling, audience engagement and income generation. His background is marketing and public relations and he has high-level experience of working with major brands such as Sony, Motorola and Topman.
Adam is also a school governor and sits on a number of strategic boards in the city. He chairs the fundraising, marketing and communications subgroup.
Grahame Gilbert
Treasurer
Grahame is a Chartered Accountant and a director of Cameron Hughes Limited, a Derby based chartered accountancy practice. Grahame’s firm has a diverse client base which includes a number of charities.
He is also a trustee of another charity in rural Derbyshire. He chairs the governance and finance subgroup.
Claire Twells
Claire has lived in Derby all of her life and is a solicitor at Smith Partnership, with offices across the East Midlands. Claire, specialises in Litigation and works with businesses across the UK. Claire is passionate about charitable organisations and in particular those that support and protect the interests of Children. Claire sits on a number of boards and is Trustee for other Charities in the City.
Safe and Sound is a charity which aligns with Claire’s key values personally and she is passionate about businesses across the East Midlands supporting local charities. Claire is committed to encouraging other businesses to support safe and sound in terms of financial support and donating time and resources.
Laura Richmond
Laura has over 15 years’ experience working within public services and charities. Laura has first-hand ongoing experience of working with children at risk of exploitation, specifically County Lines and drug misuse within a statutory agency.
As a new Trustee with Safe and Sound, Laura is keen to make a difference for young people and ensure the charity is able to fill the gaps that are vital for supporting young people and preventing them from being exploited. She is also looking to develop her own leadership skills and experience for the future.
Ellis Pugh
Ellis is a solicitor specialising in charity, social enterprise and not-for-profit law. Originally from Derby, he has worked across the world and, after returning to the local area, was keen to use his skills to support Safe and Sound’s work to protect children and young people across the county.
He provides advice and support to ensure the charity’s functions as effectively as possible, but is also committed to fundraising and raising awareness of child exploitation. His hobbies include singing with the Derbyshire Community Male Voice Choir and playing badminton.
Lisa Richards
Lisa is a Partner at Dains Accountants, where she brings over 25 years of experience in providing strategic financial advice and business support to owner-managed businesses in Derby and across the Midlands. Throughout her career she has worked closely with charities, as both advisor and as a trustee, helping them to strengthen financial resilience and achieve sustainable growth.
Lisa has lived in Derby all her life, is married with 2 children, enjoys travel and values the opportunity to support causes that make a genuine difference in people’s lives. Lisa was inspired to join the Board of Safe and Sound for because she believes every young person deserves safety, support and the chance to thrive.
Rashifa Ali
Rashifa Ali was born and raised in Derby and has a strong connection to the local community. Earlier in her career, she worked alongside young children and took part in projects aimed at supporting their education and encouraging positive ways of thinking, which sparked her passion for empowering young people. In recognition of her dedication to supporting the community, Rashifa was awarded the Young Volunteers Award in 2025. She now works in the private client legal sector, where she supports individuals and families with important life decisions and future planning, and is motivated by the positive impact she can have on people’s lives both now and in the future.
She chose to support Safe and Sound because of the vital work the organisation does in protecting and supporting vulnerable young people. Rashifa hopes to contribute her perspective, commitment to helping others, and passion for supporting young people, helping the charity continue to make a positive difference in the community. In her spare time, Rashifa enjoys hiking, travelling abroad, and spending time with her family, friends and most importantly her cat, Mila.
Amanda Battey
Amanda Battey has been a lifelong resident of Derby, bringing with her over two decades of experience gained from working within the NHS and local government. Her professional journey spans 35 years and includes valuable positions in both the private and charitable sectors. Throughout her career, Amanda has specialised in workforce, training, and education, establishing herself as a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development. She is deeply committed to fairness, safety, and providing opportunities for young people.
Amanda’s appointment as a trustee at Safe and Sound reflects her dedication to protecting young people from exploitation and supporting the charity’s vital work throughout Derby and Derbyshire. In her role, she contributes significant expertise in leadership, performance improvement, and partnership building, strengthening the organisation’s capability to deliver on its mission. Proud to play a part in advancing Safe and Sound’s objectives, Amanda’s aim is to help secure safer and stronger futures for young people in the community.