Every one of our employees contribute to our progress, so whichever team you are in, you will have a huge part to play. Whether it’s Income Generation, Operations, People, Resources or Finance, there will be a team to suit your skills.
Senior Leadership
Lucy Eldred, Chief Executive Officer
Lucy was appointed CEO in 2025, following three years as the charity’s Director of People. With over 15 years’ experience in HR across defence, engineering, technology and the public sector, she brings deep expertise in leadership, strategy, and organisational change.
Lucy began her career as an Officer in the Royal Logistic Corps, serving in both Regular and Reserve roles. Before joining Canine Partners, Lucy was Head of HR for a large local authority, where she led the People Strategy and coordinated a major community volunteer response during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Describing her career as “far from conventional,” Lucy believes every step has led her to this role. Lucy is focused on expanding our reach and creating more life-changing partnerships that will continue to transform lives.
Outside of work, she enjoys beach walks and exploring the New Forest with her Rottweiler, Bunker, who she says is “nothing like an assistance dog!”
Faye Forde, Director of Finance and Resources
Faye's professional life began with a focus on International Development, before moving on to pursue a degree in Accounting. Although primarily centred around finance, her career has been quite diverse and she has also ventured into various other areas including governance, risk management, research panel oversight, and even overseeing a support helpline.
Throughout her life, Faye always felt a strong inclination towards working in the third sector. Since moving to the UK from Ireland six years ago, she has had the privilege of working for a national cancer charity, culminating in her role as Finance and Operations Director, which she held until 2023.
Alongside her professional career, Faye is an active member of the Green Party and was the campaign manager for the 2023 Borough Council Elections in Charnwood, where she was successfully elected along with two other Green Party members in Sileby and Seagrave.
Faye has one child, so weekends are a hectic juggle between council work, playgrounds, long walks and as much sea swimming as she can manage from the midlands.
Daniel Larcey, Director of Marketing and Income Generation
Daniel has nearly 20 years of experience in fundraising, marketing and insight across the charity sector. Most recently, Daniel held the position of Director of Strategy, Insight, and Marketing at an agency, where he collaborated with some of the UK's biggest charities.
Daniel’s experiences have enabled him to understand how important charities are, which is why he is passionate about ensuring that their stories of perseverance, kindness, and compassion are not only heard but celebrated.
Inspired by his parents, who both worked in caring professions, he was naturally inclined towards making a difference from an early age. Witnessing his mother navigate her career and family responsibilities while living with a disability became a driving force behind his affinity for disability charities such as Scope, RNIB, and now Canine Partners. Even today, his mother continues to inspire him to champion equity, diversity, and inclusion.
He has also inherited a love for dogs from his parents, owning a mischievous chocolate Labrador called Hazel.
Jo Burns, Director of Operations
Operations
Our Operations Department is made up of several teams including; breeding, veterinary and wellbeing, puppy training, advanced training, dog welfare, applications and aftercare. These highly rewarding and exciting roles combine outstanding dog training and first-class client services to build and grow our partnerships throughout the UK.
Marketing and Income Generation
Our Marketing and Income Generation teams’ hard work is critical to the success of the charity. With our fundraisers determinedly working to raise vital funds and our Marketing Communications Team taking on the unique opportunity using their shared enthusiasm for our charitable aims to raise awareness of Canine Partners to as many people as possible, some discovering us for the first time.
People, Resources and Finance
To enable our teams to achieve our mission, our multi-skilled support teams provide behind the scenes work in a variety of areas including support for IT, finance, HR, housekeeping, fleets and facilities.
All our teams are strengthened by the support of our amazing volunteers and no matter how big or small a role, we all come together to play a part in transforming the lives people with physical disabilities.
