Executive Leadership Team

Jodie Reed - Co-Chief Executive 

Jodie joined Home-Start with Natalie in 2025. She is an expert on early childhood policy and has spent her working life building systems and services that give every child an equal start.  She began at the Institute for Public Policy Research, leading work public service reform, before a decade shaping early years and school strategy at the Department for Education and the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit. Jodie went on to initiate Ark Schools’ early years venture, Ark Start. Directly before joining Home-Start she was a Director at Isos Partnership, where she published influential research on topics such as childcare reform and advised local and national government and a wide range of charities. Jodie was recently a trustee at Young Women's Trust and is a mum to three wonderful (if sometimes mischievous) children.

Natalie Acton - Co-Chief Executive 

Natalie joined Home-Start from Cambridge University, where she was Head of Student Support - running a range of services for young people including counselling, mental health advice and disability support. Prior to that, Natalie founded and ran a mental health charity, Think Ahead, which recruited and trained mental health social workers. Natalie's longer-term career was in the Civil Service (HM Treasury, 10 Downing Street and the Department for Education) where she was a senior Civil Servant leading reforms in policy areas such as children in care and adoption. Natalie has also been an Assistant Director at a London local authority. She is passionate about support for children and families, and has three young children of her own.

Vivien Waterfield CBE - Deputy Chief Executive

Vivien joined Home-Start in 1998. She held the post of director of fundraising and communications for 11 years and was appointed deputy chief executive in 2012. Vivien is passionate about early years and ensuring all children can fulfil their potential. Vivien leads the charity's external relations work. She is an Advisor to the RCN Foundation and recently completed a Post Grad Diploma in Organisational Change at the University of Warwick Business School. 

Sarah McMullen - Director of Network Impact

Susie Dunham - Chief Operating Officer 

Susie is passionate about making systems work better for people. In her role, she’s focused on strengthening the way Home-Start UK operates — helping things run smoothly behind the scenes so that the Home-Start Network, and the families and communities we support, get the very best from us. Her work is all about making sure our operations stay responsive, efficient, and aligned with what really matters.