Penny Tassoni is a well-known education consultant, author and trainer who specialises in the whole spectrum of learning and play within early years.

Penny has written over 40 books, many of which are best sellers in the sector. Her latest professional book is Reducing Educational disadvantage; A strategic approach in the early years.

Penny is a sought after speaker both in the UK and internationally where she has worked in Istanbul, China, and Japan.

In addition to training, Penny has worked as a consultant for awarding organisations as well as leading toy manufacturers.

“The early years sector is wonderfully diverse, but yet I see it as a united community as it always puts children and their families first. It is therefore an honour to be President of PACEY – an organisation designed to support members who work in a variety of roles within this early years community.”

Penny has been President of PACEY since 2013.

Dr Amy Page became Chair in November 2020.

With extensive experience in the early years and childcare sector, Amy began her journey as a paediatric doctor. In 2013, she gained her Early Years Professional Status and then became a childminder for six years until 2017. Passionate about early years, while Amy was a childminder she also set up a local childminding network and helped to run toddler groups in the local area.

After 2017, Amy then joined a nursery chain and helped manage their group of pre-schools, day nurseries and after-school clubs. With her previous experience, she has recently re-entered the medical profession, currently working for a medical insurance company.

Amy joined the PACEY board initially as a Trustee in 2018 and was appointed the position of Chair in November 2020. 

You can contact Amy by email at chair@pacey.org.uk or write to her care of PACEY, Northside House, Third Floor, 69 Tweedy Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 3WA

Stephanie Douglas is Head of Early Intervention and Localities for Doncaster Borough Council. She has over 25 years’ experience working in the education and skills sector and 20 years working as a Local Authority Senior Officer. Stephanie is dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families by the leadership and implementation of excellence in policy and practice. She has been awarded the MBE for services to Education and Early Years in 2021. Stephanie joined the Board because she is passionate about the care and education of young children and their families, and to represent the voice of the sector she values very highly.

Shanti Flynn is Head of Education at Storal, a group of award winning nurseries across the UK. Shanti began her career in early years as a teacher over 25 years ago, and has worked as a LA advisor, Area SENCo, Ofsted Inspector and Head of Education and Childcare. She has proven experience in leading teams to deliver excellent care and education so that our young children achieve the best possible outcomes. 

Andrew Maxwell is currently Head of Markets and Infrastructure at a large IT Services organisation, focusing on Digital Transformation. He has a background in delivery, operations and sales. As the parent of young children, Andrew joined the Board because he has experienced first-hand the impact early years practitioners have on the development of children.

Danny Frost is the Chief Risk Officer & Regional Head of Risk for EMEA and APAC at American International Group (Fortune 500 company) and he is a designated ‘Material Risk Taker’ as defined by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Prior to joining AIG, Danny spent nineteen years of his career at Credit Suisse Investment bank. Danny holds Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and Chartered Institute of Banking qualifications. Danny joined the board as a trustee, given his passion for driving positive change, so as every child has the best possible developmental opportunities.  

Paula Timms is the Business Development and Delivery Director at Children in Wales, responsible for growing income and developing their funding strategy.  Previous to joining Children in Wales Paula worked for Barnardo’s UK developing their health strategy and Merthyr Tydfil CBC leading on poverty prevention programmes. Paula is now entering almost 30 years children’s sector experience, leading on business, strategy and fundraising developments to support the sector and our membership organisations. 

Helen Donohoe leads PACEY, championing the vital role practitioners play in helping children prepare for a bright future and working to ensure everyone in childcare and early years can provide high quality care and early education.

Helen joined PACEY as Policy Advisor in 2019, taking the role of Chief Executive in December 2022. She has almost 30 years of experience across policy development, campaigning, and senior leadership, including time as the Director for Public Policy at Action for Children and as a Parent Governor of Islington North Nursery. She is passionate about early intervention and ensuring every child gets the best start in life.

Working with PACEY staff, volunteers and members, she ensures PACEY provides information, advice and support to childminders, nurseries; pre-schools and nannies as well as families and others involved in childcare and early years; enables members to share their ideas and experiences with each other and represents and advocates on their behalf. Helen represents PACEY at the Department for Education’s Early Years Strategic Forum; Ofsted’s Early Years Consultative Forum and shares PACEY members’ views and experiences on other coalitions, at conferences and parliamentary forums, as well as to the media.

Amy ’s job is to lead on all PACEY’s technology and data systems, ensuring our website, member portal as well as our online training are accessible to members and other beneficiaries 24/7. She also leads PACEY data strategy, ensuring we meet all GDPR requirements and supporting us to use the data we have to inform and improve our work as well as grow our engagement with members and other stakeholders. Before joining PACEY, Amy was the Director of her own business working on implementing, managing and operating data systems and integrations across a variety of organisations in multiple business sectors worldwide. She has a passion for technology, and a natural aptitude for problem solving and identifying effective solutions.

Ka Lai’s job is to lead on ensuring all our members make the most of the great benefits that PACEY offers and to encourage more childminders, nannies, nurseries, and pre-schools to join PACEY. Alongside this, Ka Lai ensures PACEY’s communication channels and key partners promote PACEY’s brand and its work. She also leads on the sale of products and services in PACEY’s shop. Before joining PACEY, Ka Lai was Senior Loyalty Manager at the Royal Academy of Arts where she worked on a range of activities that supported the recruitment and retention of their 97,000 members. 

Victoria’s job is to lead on PACEY’s financial and people strategies. She ensures that PACEY’s plans are sustainable and that the funds the charity receives are managed properly. Victoria also ensures PACEY has the systems, processes, and advice it needs to support everyone working at PACEY. As part of this, the role is responsible for several compliance areas including company and charity law, employment law (including health and safety). Before joining PACEY, Victoria was Bursar, Head of Finance and Clerk to the Governors of Bethany School in Kent. There, alongside finance, Victoria was responsible for facilities, compliance, governance, and procurement.