Donna is taking over as chief executive from Yvonne Thomas, who has led The Clink for more than three years. Donna brings a wealth of experience to The Clink, as a charity leader, teacher, advisor and consultant.
Most recently, Donna led the education charity Farms for City Children as its chief executive, where she successfully re-opened the organisation after it was forced to close during the pandemic.
Speaking about the news, Donna said: “It is a great privilege to pick up the baton to lead the next leg of The Clink’s evolution. I am so grateful for this opportunity to lead the charity’s transformative work providing second chances, training and rehabilitation support for those who need it most.
“The experiences I have had in my career to date have taught me that very often there is talent hidden in the most unlikely places. Unfortunately, the opportunity to develop that talent is not always forthcoming and I am so passionate to help our students discover their true worth.
“I am very keen to add my experience in the education system to the charity’s new Clink College training programme, which will connect young people to a community full of like-minded individuals and help them find their place.
“I am so excited to lead the team who deliver our programmes in and outside of the prison estate, to work with industry champions in hospitality and horticulture who support our graduates, and to ensure that The Clink contributes to the national debate on prison reform and rehabilitation.”