The COPS Team
Introducing our friendly office team. You can contact our people on their emails below, or contact the office at admin@ukcops.org or by phoning 01543 410790.
Please note the majority of the COPS team work part time.
Lisa Meads
Chief Executive Officer
Before being named as CEO in March 2024, Lisa was Care of Police Survivors (COPS), survivor experience manager and responsible for leading the experience team in organising the charity’s peer support events including survivor weekend and our Annual Service of Remembrance.
Prior to joining COPS in November 2021, Lisa had worked within marketing and events mainly operating in the sports industry, working for the likes of the Ricoh Arena, The Football Association as well as sports agencies.
Tracy Withers
Fundraising Manager
Tracy joined COPS in 2022 and is responsible for the income generation for the charity. A member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, Tracy brings a wealth of experience in fundraising and volunteer management. Tracy has worked for both UK and international charities over the last 20 years and is passionate about helping small charities grow and realise their vision.
Cara Russon
Survivor Relationship Manager
Cara is responsible managing the relationships survivors have with COPS. Cara runs the charity’s support services, including Red Arc and Winston’s Wish. Cara also helps organise the COPS Service of Remembrance. Cara volunteered for COPS for many years, helping with the children’s trips, before joining the staff team in 2016.
Kate Niemiec
Survivor Experience Manager
Kate joined the COPS team in 2021 as survivor experience assistant, bringing a wealth of experience from the hospitality and events industry. In March of 2024, Kate progressed into the role of survivor experience manager, where she leads the experience team in organising the our peer support events and experiences, including survivor weekend and COPS’ Annual Service of Remembrance.
Nikki Brookbanks
Survivor Experience Assistant
Nikki joined COPS in April 2024 and works with Kate to organise COPS’ Survivor events. Nikki has over 8 years of event planning experience and comes to us with a wealth of knowledge of the policing industry.
Steve Rothwell
Survivor Support & Resources Manager
Steve joined the COPS team in June 2023. He is responsible for supporting survivor families in navigating the wealth of resources that are available. Steve has more than 26 years of police experience and is an asset to the COPS team.
The Board of Trustees
Our trustees are a group of volunteers who bring a wide range of knowledge, expertise and experience to the charity. These are our people responsible for approving strategic plans, annual budgets and accounts.
Sir John Robins QPM DL
Chair of Trustees
Sir John Robins, Chief Constable of the West Yorkshire Police, became Chair of Trustees of Care of Police Survivors in 2026. A long-standing supporter of the charity, he is honoured to lead a survivor-initiated, survivor-led and survivor-focused organisation, and is committed to ensuring COPS continues to provide dedicated support to families of fallen officers.
Gill Marshall
National President
Gill has been involved with COPS since her husband died on duty in 2006. She credits the charity with being a springboard that she used to help her rebuild her life. Gill is a retired Chief Inspector with Police Scotland. Gill also has extensive experience of corporate communications, media management, and Critical Incident Management at a national level.
Rob Atkin MBE
Trustee
Donna Cox
Survivor Trustee
Donna serves as a Survivor Trustee, representing the perspectives of families affected by on-duty deaths. She brings unique insight to the board following the loss of her sister, WPC Jo-Ann Jennings, Essex Police, who died on duty in 1989.
Sarah Everitt
Survivor Trustee
Sarah joins the board as a Survivor Trustee following the on-duty death of her husband, PC Bryan Moore, Leicestershire Constabulary, in 2002. She brings first-hand experience of the challenges faced by families
Norman Haslett
Trustee
Norman, a Chief Superintendent with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, joined the Board of Trustees of Care of Police Survivors in 2026. He is honoured to represent the Northern Ireland policing family and is proud to support the charity’s vital work for families of officers who have died in the line of duty.
Matt Jukes QPM
Trustee
Matt Jukes, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, joined the COPS board of trustees in 2026. With more than a decade of involvement, including riding in the UK Police Unity Tour, he is honoured to support families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty and is committed to strengthening the vital community COPS provides.
Kevin McDonald
Trustee
Kevin is group managing director at Sonic Communications Ltd. Kevin brings his business experience to support the board of trustees when he joined the COPS trustees in 2022.
Our Patron
Penny Lancaster
TV personality and special constable Penny Lancaster is Patron for Care of Police Survivors (COPS).
Penny, who appeared on the Channel 4 television show Famous and Fighting Crime, working alongside regular and special constables said: “COPS is an amazing charity, having experienced first-hand how difficult, stressful and potentially dangerous policing can be I realised immediately the importance of their work. I am delighted to be Patron.”
She added: “I can only imagine the agony of losing a loved one who dies while working for the police. The role is so full-on that family members are certainly invested in the job which makes the impact even worse when something happens.
“The fact that COPS help those families to rebuild their shattered lives is amazing and something I am proud to help with.”
In April 2021, Penny was sworn in as a special constable with the City of London Police, she said: “Despite the risks of a very challenging job, I love my role in policing. Working with a team of experienced officers, knowing you are making a difference every day you serve, is very rewarding.”
Sign up to our Quarterly Supporter Newsletter ✉︎
Keep up to date with our Quarterly Supporter Newsletter, full of information about our latest events, fundraising news and how COPS is supporting the families of police officers and staff who have died on duty.
Your privacy is important to us. To learn how we collect and use your information, please read our privacy policy.
COPS
Care of Police Survivors (COPS) is a charity that supports the families of police officers and staff who have lost their lives on duty.
Tel: 01543 410790
Email: admin@ukcops.org
Get in touch
Care of Police Survivors (COPS)
The Studio at the Stables
Catton Park, Catton Estate
Catton
DE12 8LN
About COPS
Registered Charity 1170760 (England and Wales). COPS & COPS logos are registered trademarks.