Board of Trustees
DAVSS has a strong and committed Board of Trustees who are also the Directors of the charity, drawn from the local community and represent legal, financial, community safety and voluntary sector expertise, with specialist Police and Housing advisers. There are 6 (Volunteer) Trustees who bring a variety of skills, knowledge and experience to the Board:
Jan Berry is the former Chair of the Police Federation of England & Wales and first female to be elected to the role in the 100 years history of the Police Federation. As Chair she gained a reputation for being professional, balanced and a free thinker.
Jan joined Kent County Constabulary as a Cadet in 1971, retiring 37 years later as a Chief Inspector having gained experience in a variety of posts from beat officer to detective. Jan introduced Juvenile Liaison Bureaux and Rape Victim Suites in Kent and was a key member of the team that launched the Crime Prevention initiative “Secured by Design”. Jan became chief negotiator for all officers from Constable to Chief Constable across the UK.
Her work in policing was recognised in 2006 when she received the Queen’s Police Medal. Following retirement Jan was appointed by the Home Secretary to cut red tape across government and policing.
Today she advises on operational policing, reducing bureaucracy in the criminal justice system and transformational change. Jan is Chair of Governor’s at Sevenoaks Preparatory School, Chair of Trustee’s with DAVSS the West Kent Domestic Abuse Charity and Co-CEO of the charity Protection Against Stalking.
I joined the Board in 2023 after a successful career as a partner at a major law firm, Linklaters, where I led both their global pensions practice and for a period, its global employment law teams.
As part of my experience, I advised trustees and trustee boards on their legal duties, trust law and governance including in the charity and not-for-profit sector helping them navigate regulatory and fiduciary responsibilities.
My role combined strategic leadership, technical legal expertise and focus on client service – skills which translate now into supporting the DAVSS Board on oversight, governance and stewardship responsibilities. I have also been active in pro bono legal work, been a school governor, a trustee of provident funds and -less directly relevant – trustee of a historic heritage site!
I am keen to continue to support in the best way I can, a volunteer service which provides such important and impactful support to survivors in West Kent, where I live.
Carole has more than 30 years’ experience across theatre, education, fundraising, charity leadership, strategic planning and cultural development.
She founded the Education Department at the National Theatre and later became Head of Education for the English Shakespeare Company, creating programmes in creative learning for young people and communities across the UK. She co-founded MJE Productions, producing more than 30 shows in the West End, on Broadway and nationwide.
At Comic Relief, Carole was Head of Talent, working closely with the BBC on major fundraising campaigns including Red Nose Day and Sport Relief.
More recently, at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, she led marketing, fundraising, sponsorship and strategic development, and founded the Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival.
Since retiring last May, Carole has become an Ambassador for Taylor-Made Dreams and a Trustee of DAVSS, continuing her long-standing commitment to supporting vulnerable people and strengthening local communities.
Jenny Knott is both a board level investment banker with over 35 years’ experience, as well as a leading innovator in financial technologies.
Jenny holds several Board roles for purpose-led businesses including the British Business Bank, Camco Clean Energy Fund and Simply Heath, as well as being a Trustee for, or advisor to, a number of charities.
As a co-founder of FinTech Strategic Advisors, Jenny assists Clients to achieve scale and commercial success. She acts as mentor and confidential commercial advisor to various CEOs and Chairs.
Jenny believes in stake-holder capitalism and supports the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Capitalism and ESG Outcomes as being a ‘must’ for a successful business to thrive and survive. Jenny is an author and frequent public speaker on emerging FinTech and Digital (Crypto) Assets as well as the commercial benefits of truly innovative and inclusive Board and Corporate cultures
My family are originally from the Kent/London area, which I have been fortunate to visit on numerous occasions throughout my life. I have recently retired from a career in education, where I had a particular focus on SEND, Safeguarding and outdoor learning. Allowing every child to access education and have a positive experience while in school to prepare them for the future has remained my goal throughout that time.
I continue to be involved in supporting young people and their families to get the best opportunities, in what for many, is a challenging environment.
My interests also include travel, which has led me to be fortunate enough to meet lots of interesting people and experience their cultures. I enjoy photography and Arts and Crafts, which I use for relaxation and recording important events, as well as for fund raising oportunities.
Jackie Sumner
Gay Larter – CEO
Gay joined DAVSS in 2024, having previously held the roles of Interim CEO and Head of Service, and now leads the charity as CEO.
With experience across both the charity and business sectors, Gay is passionate about ensuring adults and young people affected by domestic abuse can access compassionate, trauma-informed support to help them rebuild safer futures. She has supported DAVSS through a period of organisational development and continues to work closely with staff, volunteers and partners to strengthen support for survivors across West Kent.
Gay is particularly committed to early intervention, recovery-focused support, and ensuring the voices and experiences of survivors remain at the heart of the organisation’s work. She is also passionate about the important role volunteers play within DAVSS and the difference community support can make to the lives of survivors.
