Senior Management

Amanda Matthews: Acting CEO & Head of Finance and Operations

I joined Challengers as Head of Finance in January 2013 and have a commercial and not for profit background.

Upon joining I was struck by the enthusiasm and commitment of the Challengers team to make a difference and change the lives of young people challenging disability.

I passionately believe that a finance department should be an enabling department supporting the whole organisation, producing timely management information giving non-financial managers the confidence to make proactive financial decisions. Equally as important are our external stakeholders for whom we endeavor to provide transparent, accurate and uncomplicated information. My Guilty pleasure is: Sharing bags of crisps to myself!

Laura Baxter: Head of Quality

I started working for Challengers as a volunteer Playworker in 1996, since then I managed both play and youth schemes gaining a huge amount of hands on experience. More recently I have been concentrating on developing good quality practice for the whole organisation. Working at Challengers keeps me busy and challenged at all times, surrounded by a fabulous team of people I enjoy it immensely! My guilty pleasure is fabulous pieces of jewellery, I could spend… no I lie, I have spent a fortune on it!

Paul Wilson: Head of Services

I have worked at Challengers for over 18 years and absolutely love the charity. I am passionate about the non-exclusion of children and young people and very proud to work for a charity that has this at the heart of its ethos. I started work as a volunteer Play Worker and soon realised Challengers was where I need to be. Over the last 18 years I have worked as Play and Youth Worker, Leader, Leisure Development Officer, Farnham Centre Manger, Service Manager and now Head of Operations West. I love music and spend a lot my spare time singing and playing guitar. My guilty pleasure is Coke Zero, it is my fuel!

Jennifer Corless: Head of Communications and Events

I joined Challengers in June 2019, having previously worked in the Higher Education sector. From my very first day in the role, it was clear to see that I had joined an extremely hardworking and passionate team of people, all of whom are dedicated to providing a fantastic experience for the children and young people who use our services. It’s a pleasure to see first-hand how much families enjoy and benefit from our work, and this is something which I hope to be able to share with supporters and the wider community through our communications and events. My guilty pleasure has to be the Eurovision Song Contest. Despite the UK receiving ‘nil points’ almost every time, it’s still the highlight of my year and a great excuse to dress up and throw a party!