On 2 July 2026, Deborah Denis leaves the Lucy Faithfull Foundation after 15 years with the organisation, including the last six as Chief Executive. As we look forward to our next chapter, our Director of Operations, Adrian McNulty, reflects on Deborah’s legacy.
Deborah has an unwavering belief in prevention, a determination to protect children from child sexual abuse, and crucially a remarkable ability to convince others to join us in our mission. She is a natural communicator, able to talk about child sexual abuse prevention in a way that inspires action, builds partnerships and secures investment. Her passion and dedication have helped the charity reach more people, break new ground and protect more children
Throughout her leadership, she has consistently challenged us to think differently and to focus on where we can have the greatest impact for children. She has encouraged us to embrace innovation and work in spaces where others may hesitate, always guided by evidence and by a clear commitment to preventing harm before it occurs.
It feels particularly fitting that Deborah recently received the Inspirational Leadership Award at the Excellence in Online Protection Awards. For those of us who have had the privilege of working alongside her, the award reflects not only her achievements but also the values, vision and determination she has brought to the Foundation throughout her time here.
Under Deborah’s leadership, we have grown significantly. Our income increased from £2.9 million to £5.2 million, enabling us to expand our services and support more people than ever before. Our helpline is the largest of its kind in the world. Today, we work directly with more than 19,000 people each year, while hundreds of thousands more access our websites, resources and support services.
Deborah also understood the importance of strengthening our influence beyond direct service delivery. She led the development of our ambitious strategy from 2020 to 2025, built around three pillars: reach, research and advocacy, ensuring that the knowledge and insights gained through our work could help shape policy, practice and public understanding. The establishment of a dedicated Research and Impact directorate and an Advocacy and Communications directorate during that time has strengthened our ability to use evidence to drive the systems change needed to better protect children. These three pillars are now embedded as guiding principles within our current five-year strategy.
Recognising the growing number of young people seeking support, Deborah championed the creation of Shore and Shore Plus, services designed specifically to meet their needs. She also identified schools as a vital setting for prevention, leading to the development of Everyone’s Safer, our action-research programme helping secondary schools strengthen their approach to preventing harmful sexual behaviour.
Perhaps nowhere was Deborah’s commitment to prevention more evident than in her willingness to explore new approaches to tackling online abuse.
A defining example was her decision to collaborate with Aylo (then MindGeek) in 2020. Working with a major pornography platform was challenging for a child protection charity. At the time, online safety expert John Carr likened it to “walking towards the sound of gunfire”. Deborah understood, however, that challenging spaces are where prevention matters most. This approach has helped us engage with people at the point of risk, creating opportunities to divert behaviour before harm occurs. This initiative led us to work with other online platforms. Our warning messages have now reached millions of people worldwide and helped establish the Foundation as a global leader in prevention.
At the same time, Deborah has always believed that prevention is strengthened through collaboration. She has championed the sharing of evidence, learning, and best practice across the sector, supporting prevention initiatives internationally.
Above all, it’s Deborah’s personal qualities that have made her a much-loved leader. She is warm, open, transparent and deeply values-driven. For those who have worked with Deborah, it will be these qualities that will be remembered just as much as her professional achievements. Her qualities have shaped not only the culture of the Foundation but also the way we have worked together. They are woven into the achievements we celebrate today.
She has challenged us to think bigger and remain ambitious about what prevention can achieve. The services she championed, the partnerships she built, the culture she nurtured and the strategic direction she helped create will continue to shape the Foundation for many years to come.”
Deborah leaves the Foundation in a strong position, with a clear strategy, a talented team and a commitment to preventing child sexual abuse. It has been a privilege to work alongside her.
Chair of Trustees, Jane Leach, said:
“Deborah’s contribution to the Lucy Faithfull Foundation has been extraordinary. She has combined vision with compassion, courage with collaboration, and has always remained steadfast in her commitment to protecting children and preventing child sexual abuse.
She leaves behind a stronger organisation, a lasting legacy and a clear sense of purpose for the future. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to thank Deborah for everything she has given to the Foundation and wish her every success in the next stage of her journey.”
On behalf of everyone at the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, thank you, Deborah.
Read about our incoming Chief Executive, Yasmin Rehman.
