Welcoming Alima Qureshi, Chair of the Board of Trustees

The Sophie Hayes Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Alima Qureshi as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees. Alima joins the Foundation in July 2026.

Alima brings extensive leadership experience across local and central government, housing, and the charity sector. Her career has been defined by a deep and sustained commitment to improving outcomes for women survivors of exploitation, and structural inequality. She has held senior roles at the London Violence Reduction Unit, Lambeth Council, MHCLG and Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, and has chaired boards including Age UK RBH and the East London Asian Family Counselling Service.    

Her background spans strategic safeguarding, trauma‑informed practice, multi‑agency partnership development, commissioning, governance, and systems leadership—expertise that aligns strongly with the Foundation’s mission to support women who have survived trafficking and exploitation.  

The organisation is delighted to welcome Alima, who shared her enthusiasm about joining the Foundation:

“I am honoured to take on this role. The Sophie Hayes Foundation’s commitment to lived experience, long‑term empowerment, and creating genuine pathways to independence resonates deeply with my values and my career. I look forward to working with the team, partners, and the incredible women at the heart of this mission to strengthen impact and help the organisation grow its reach.” 

We look forward to exciting events coming up over the Autumn when SHF supporters will have a chance to meet Alima.   

We sincerely thank outgoing interim Chair Laura Haynes for her years of dedicated service to the Board and everything she has done to enable the Charity to develop and support women survivors to sustainable freedom.