We’re governed by a board of trustees who are responsible for ensuring we’re effectively managed and that we meet our charitable objectives as set out in our governing document.
Our board of trustees meet at least quarterly. We also have a finance committee who provide further support and scrutiny on our finances. We provide board training at the start of each financial year and report annually on our impact in our trustees’ annual report and accounts.
Day to day leadership of the charity is undertaken by the senior management team, led by the Chief Executive who reports to the board.
For any questions about our governance or about our board please contact the Chair
Who we are
Jo Binding (Chair, Member of Finance Committee)
Contact: chair@fertilitynetworkuk.org
I have a background in strategy for media companies including Sky, BT, and Discovery and am an experienced charity trustee and Chair.
I am currently an independent member of Council (Non-Executive Director) for The University of Exeter and have previously been a Trustee, Finance Committee Chair, and Chair of Trustees. I currently work for the baby bank Little Village in strategy and technology.
I have battled infertility for many years and against the odds we had a baby in 2021 after an intensive period of IVF and a lot of fertility counselling. We are now trying for a second miracle.
Lucy Thorn (Treasurer, Chair of Finance Committee)
I am a qualified accountant with over 14 years’ experience working for a high profile & high net worth family. My knowledge and experience include financial & management reporting, budgeting & forecasting, private tax management, charity accounting, governance, corporate structures and financial control.
Most recently I have been involved in a large-scale strategic project where my role has expanded to take on more operational responsibility, including organisational strategy and resourcing.
I have personally experienced over 8 years of infertility, which has involved intensive treatment through both the NHS & Private sectors. I have first-hand experience of the day-to-day challenges that come with an infertility diagnosis, and that is the driving reason for my involvement with Fertility Network UK.
I am passionate about helping those going through similar struggles, especially as IVF can be a difficult, isolating and often misunderstood life challenge. Fertility Network UK are an important charity doing important work & I hope my experience can help them continue to do that.
Isla Billett (Trustee, Member of Finance Committee)
I have a background in product strategy and management in the publishing and education sectors, with a proven track record in setting and delivering financial and performance targets. I am experienced in leading business strategy, building, and leading teams, and delivering customer focused solutions.
I also have over 10 years’ experience in a governance role, including chairing the finance committee.
I have experienced my own fertility struggles and am passionate about supporting FNUK in its mission to make fertility challenges easier for future generations.
Rachel Bodner (Trustee)
I am a qualified lawyer and for over ten years was a medical negligence lawyer acting for patients in claims against the NHS and private sector.
Since then, I’ve had a portfolio career, as a Practice Manager responsible for the running of a large, inner city GP practice, as Director of Operations for girls’ mental health charity, helping to develop the organisation and leading the compliance requirements.
I am now at the General Medical Council, responsible for running the GMC’s ethical enquiry service, with a combination of leadership, policy and CRM based responsibilities.
I have also been a school governor at a free school and have two counselling certificates as well as training in safeguarding.
I am thrilled to be appointed as a Trustee at Fertility Network UK. As an only child through my parents’ secondary infertility and having experienced my own fertility challenges, infertility is a theme that has been interwoven throughout my life.
It is my privilege to give back and be part of an organisation that supports individuals and families navigating these difficulties.
Francesca Raine (Trustee)
I’m so pleased to be taking on the role of trustee for Fertility Network UK. I initially trained and worked as a family lawyer and have experience working on cases involving international surrogacy arrangements and the complications that can arise. I have since worked in senior management for a large regional charity, overseeing fundraising and development programmes that enabled the charity to grow substantially. This experience gives me a good understanding of the day-to-day work that goes into running a successful charity, and I hope that some of what I have learned during that time can help Fertility Network UK as we develop further and meet the needs of even more beneficiaries.
Having experienced infertility, including a long battle to get a diagnosis, and undergone (and still undergoing!) extensive fertility treatment, I understand only too well how valuable Fertility Network UK’s work is. Infertility can present so many difficulties, and I hope that my contribution in the role of trustee can help the charity to continue providing vital support to those facing fertility challenges.