About the Board
Nicci Willock, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
BA (Hons) Sociology & Social Work, Level 7 Management & Leadership & Diploma in Practice Education.
Since qualifying as a social worker 40 years ago, Nicci has a wealth of experience working with children and families. Before joining Five Rivers Child Care in 2012, Nicci developed her senior leadership experience in both the public and independent sectors. As CEO, Nicci works closely with the Executive Leadership Team, setting a clear and long-term vision for Five Rivers ensuring the organisation is aligned with our Mission for turning children’s lives around. This involves strategic planning, setting goals, and making decisions that drive the company towards its ambitions for our staff, foster families and children and young people.
Nicci’s passion is to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people, supporting all her colleagues to provide a nurturing environment for children and young people in order that they feel secure, live healthy, happy and fulfilled lives and achieve brighter futures.
Cliff Fry, Non-Executive Director
A qualified chartered accountant, founder of Clifford Fry & Co Chartered Accountants and a fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants, Cliff has been practising for over 45 years, working with international companies and extensively within the care and the medical sectors. Cliff has worked with Five Rivers Child Care as an advisor and auditor for the last 25 years and cares deeply about our mission to Turn Children’s Lives Around.
Kate Bradbury, Company Secretary
LLB (Hons)
Kate’s association with Five Rivers Child Care spans over 20 years; initially practising commercial law as a partner in a leading regional legal firm. From 2012, Kate joined the Board and has overseen legal compliance, commercial risk and provided general legal support during a period of significant organic and acquisitive growth.
Ben Wallage, Group Chief Financial Officer
A qualified chartered accountant, and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (FCMA, CGMA). Prior to joining the Board of Five Rivers Child Care, Ben built up extensive international experience across public and private sectors, in a variety of board-level finance roles.
Ben joined Five Rivers Child Care in 2019 as Finance Director, became the Chief Operating Officer in 2021, and then the Group Chief Financial Officer in 2024. Ben is responsible for overseeing our Central Support Services (HR, Business Support, Communications, Finance, IT & Facilities). Ben relishes turning his skillset and experience to delivering the best outcomes for the Five Rivers family, and all the children it supports, on our mission to Turn Children’s Lives Around.
Deirdre McDonagh, Managing Director of Five Rivers Fostering Ireland
BA (Hons) Social Work (Awarded by Trinity College Dublin 1996), MA Health Care Management (2012)
Deirdre has been at the forefront of developing Five Rivers Ireland since joining in 2002 and has been part of the Five Rivers Ireland Board since 2005. Her area of expertise as a social worker is in fostering and she joined the Five Rivers Child Care Board in 2018.
Richard Cross, Director of Clinical Services
BSc Hons (Psychology)., DHP., Adv Dip SMT., PQD Counselling Children and Young People
Richard is a registered Psychotherapist and Child Psychotherapist. He has worked with children and young people impacted by trauma, abuse, and neglect since 1991, and has worked across the UK and Internationally developing and piloting effective intervention models. Richard joined Five Rivers Child Care in 2009, and he has been instrumental in developing our organisational culture and applying trauma-informed systemic thinking. He is a Fellow and Faculty member of ISSTD and seeks to improve understanding and practice through research, development, and innovation – joining the Five Rivers Child Care Board in 2023.
James Flanagan, Chief Operations Officer
James (MSc, PgDip, Ba/Hons) has nearly 20 years’ experience working in the social care sector. Holding operational and strategic roles for small, medium and large private providers across large diverse portfolios of services. As a values led leader James has consistently helped services create high performance cultures, develop future leaders and managers, deliver multiple complex projects vertically and horizontally across large complex organisations and deliver on organic and M & A strategies in private equity backed and privately owned businesses. Extensive experience working directly with children ensures James balances commercial imperatives with a clear focus on quality. James joined the board in March 2023.
Rachel Lambert, Chair
FCMI, CMgr , ChMC.
A Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI), a Chartered Manager (CMgr) and Chartered Management Consultant (ChMC), and a full member of the Institute of Directors (IoD).
Rachel has served as the Managing Director of StudyFlex since 2011, a company providing transformative programs across multiple sectors, and a fully approved partner with the Chartered Management Institute. Her expertise includes professional consultancy, risk management, strategic planning, project management, organisational change, leadership development, coaching and mentoring. Rachel has been working with Five Rivers since December 2019, enhancing professional excellence and driving organisational and individual transformation.