Chair of Cafcass reappointed

The Lord Chancellor has approved the reappointment of Sally Cheshire CBE as Chair of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), from 1st April 2024 to 13th May 2026.

Cafcass is the statutory body that safeguards and promotes the welfare of children in Family Court proceedings. Board appointments are made by the Secretary of State under The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service Regulations 2005. Appointments are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and recruitment processes comply with the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Sally Cheshire CBE, Cafcass Chair since 1st April 2021, is an experienced Chair, Board member and Audit Chair across the public sector. Sally has worked in adoption and public law for the past 15 years, including as a Board Member of the regional adoption agency, Adoption Counts, and an independent member of Adoption Panels in the North West of England, which approve adopters and family matches in the best interests of children.

Sally is currently also the Chair of NHS Resolution and has held several senior leadership roles across the NHS and the wider health and care sector, including with Health Education England, NHS North and the Health Research Authority. She is the former Chair of the HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority). Sally is also a member of the Departmental Audit and Risk Assurance Committee at the Department of Work and Pensions.