CEO Benjamin Downing
Benjamin Downing joined us as the Chief Executive on 1st December 2022. He previously worked for Open Doors International and prior to that worked for 5-years with Kids Alive International as their Vice-President of International Programmes. Kids Alive works with vulnerable children who have suffered trauma, through programmes and residential sites based in a number of countries across the world. He implemented a cross-organisational change focussing on Trauma Informed Care to bring greater healing and impact to the children affected. Benjamin has a wife, Charmari, and four boys Daniel, Jonah, Elijah and Nathan. They returned to the UK in 2020 after living overseas in Guatemala and the USA for 10 years.
Director of Operations Graeme Gentry
Graeme joined Keychange as Director of Operations on the 1st September 2023. He previously worked for the NHS and the private sector in a variety of leadership positions including Operational, Commercial and Clinical appointments.
Graeme is married to Caroline and with their daughter Lilly enjoys serving in a local evangelical church in Chessington. Graeme is a Trustee of two other charities and has a heart to serve those most vulnerable in our society.
Director of Strategic Partnerships Rebecca Chaplin
Rebecca joined Keychange in 2006 involved in support work and then eventual leadership of one of our Housing Communities. Rebecca has progressed her career through Keychange since this time, fulfilling her current role in the Quality Improvement Team for the previous 4 years, leading the quality assurance and quality improvement process across the group. Rebecca also works within the Senior Leadership Team. Rebecca is our Safeguarding Lead for the organisation, strengthening relations with our Local Authority Safeguarding Boards.
Rebecca has experience of research into homelessness, housing need and collaborating with like-minded organisations, multiple examples of tendering for spot and block purchase contracts with local authority.
Rebecca acknowledges the support of her family in her work with and for Keychange and her relationship with God through her Christian faith. Together, the family belong to a local community church in Devon.
Facilities Business Manager Peter Clark
Peter joined Keychange as Business Support Manager in September 2011. He commenced his current Facilities Business Manager role in April 2018 and is responsible for Health and Safety, buildings maintenance and improvements, IT, central contracts and other facilities functions.
Peter is married, lives in North London and attends a local church in Edmonton.
Executive Assistant Hazel Scarlett
Hazel joined Keychange as Executive Assistant to the CEO and Trustees in August 2023.
Hazel has a wealth of experience in working with vulnerable adults in areas of mental health, addiction and homelessness and has also worked in a variety of other senior administrative positions for both Crisis, Mind and most recently Age UK.
Hazel also serves as an Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastors within her local church and leads on all aspects of Prayer Ministry for the wider congregation.
