Board of Trustees/Directors
The Small Steps Board of Trustees/Directors has overall responsibility for strategic direction of the charity and it's financial overview. The Board meets twice a term, so the day to day running of the project is delegated to the Head of Small Steps.
Gillian Norton OBE DL - Chair/Director
Gillian had a long career in local government with over 20 years as Chief Executive in different Councils, 16 of which were at the London Borough of Richmond. Upon retirement she joined St George’s Hospital Tooting as a Non Executive Director and was appointed Chair in 2017. She also took on the same role at Epsom St Helier Hospital in 2019, bringing the two together into a hospital Group under a joint Board and management team. Her terms of office in both hospitals ended in 2025. In 2016 she was appointed Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Richmond and in 2017 was awarded an OBE for services to local government.
Andrea Samuelson - Trustee/Director
I was Chair of the Board of Directors/Trustees from July 2012 to 2026. Having been a Trustee since 2005, I have an in-depth knowledge of Small Steps. I have been active on the fundraising side of things – organising events and raising the profiles of Small Steps in the local community. I initially became aware of Small Steps and the valuable work it carries out through a friend who valued the support the charity provided for her and her daughter. My background is in public affairs and public relations with a regulatory body based in Westminster and a lobby group based in Brussels. My experience covers all the broad areas of communications. I am actively involved in fundraising for various organisations, including Kew College, as Chair of the PTA, where we raised over £25,000 in one year to buy a school minibus. I am a founder member and on the organising committee of Kew Fete – a large local fete held annually in June. My academic background is a BA(Hons) in European Studies and Modern Languages (French & German)(University of Bath) and an MA in European Management (Cranfield University). I am also a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (MCIPR). I am married with 2 children.
Joanna Brotherstone MBE - Trustee/Director
I was involved in setting up Small Steps School for Parents, with the Head of Greenmead School Angela Laxton, while I was Chair of Governors. I was the first Chair of Trustees at Small Steps until Sally Wilson took over. I retired from the Board at Greenmead School after 23 years. My professional background is in research psychology and group psychotherapy. I worked at the Henderson Hospital Therapeutic community and have been involved in a variety of research projects there and at other psychiatric hospitals. I also chaired a Drug Advice Support group based in Putney which after ten years became amalgamated with St Georges when our lease expired. In my spare time I enjoy tennis, reading, travelling and painting.
I am very proud of what Small Steps has achieved and think we have exciting and challenging times ahead.
Chris Marshall - Treasurer/ Director
I grew up in Richmond in a family blessed and heavily defined by my older brother Paul who had Down syndrome and the most magnetic of personalities. My brother opened doors for all our family. For me this included work as a dormitory father in a community for adults with learning difficulties and later as a trustee of the same. Through my brother I learned of the vitality of education in helping every one of us reach our potential and the importance of a community of families such as the one I see at Small Steps. I am very proud to be associated with this wonderful team and the organisation they have so lovingly built.
Professionally, I qualified as a chartered accountant with PWC (then Coopers & Lybrand) in 1990 and spent much of my career in the investment management industry. Initially I worked in the traditional space becoming co-head of Merrill Lynch investment managers in the UK. After that I launched a consultancy and an accountancy firm that assisted with the set-up and management of a large number of investment companies.
I retired from paid employment in 2017 and spend most of my time trying to become a better carpenter. For a few years I was also the chairman of a mid-sized company in the leisure industry whose profits are directed entirely to charities that help young people.
Fran Haines - Trustee/ Director
I am thrilled to become a Trustee of this wonderful charity. After many years working at board and director level, I am excited to channel my experience into helping Small Steps thrive and support as many children and families as possible.
In my career I have led teams, set strategy, and overseen financial and operational performance, always with a focus on creating a collaborative, supportive and empowering environment. I hope to bring these skills to the charity to help it grow sustainably, support its talented and dedicated staff, and ensure we continue to deliver the highest level of care and impact.
I am passionate about helping Small Steps continue on its journey and meet its strategic goals of supporting more children and families, building its community of parents, raising vital funds and operating at its very best.
David Marillat - Trustee/ Director
Small Steps is a life changing charity, that helps families like mine in being able to provide the best support for their children. I joined the small steps family when my Son was a little over one. The impact of small steps has been immeasurable! From helping Ethan with his motor developments, to providing my wife and I with the support that we struggled to find anywhere else.
Small Steps sessions have helped build Ethan’s confidence and skills and provided him and us with a safe space to learn at his speed with the expert teaching provided by the fantastic staff.
I am currently the headteacher of an all through (4-16 years old) school. This (I hope) means I am able to provide my experience and knowledge in supporting small steps in areas such as effective practice and safeguarding. In addition, I can support other families in understanding how to navigate the complexities of EHCPs and school selection.
Sarah Chapuran - Trustee/ Director
I am delighted to join Small Steps as a Trustee of this incredible charity. I have been so inspired by the team at Small Steps and the families and children that we work with.
I bring experience of working in a range of corporate and consulting roles, partnering with senior executives to solve complex challenges and deliver transformation, I am excited to channel my experience into helping Small Steps grow and support even more children and families.
Throughout my career, I have focused on turning strategy into practical outcomes, building collaborative teams, and influencing diverse stakeholders around a shared vision. I hope to bring these skills to strengthen the charity’s foundations, support its dedicated staff, and ensure we continue to deliver exceptional care and impact.
As a mum of two young children, I am deeply passionate about making a difference for families and children who face unique challenges. Small Steps’ strategic goals—expanding its reach, building a strong parent community, raising vital funds, and operating at its very best—is a cause close to my heart.
Deborah Challinor - Trustee/ Director
I was delighted to become a Trustee. I was looking for an outlet to compliment my role as a Leadership and Change Consultant for the Davies Group and find an organisation where I could add value in its running. As a trustee I am using my experience in helping the Charity manage how it evolves and how we best support staff provide the amazing service they do. I have had the privilege of following a class for a whole term and seen first hand the power of conductive education and the importance of being a supportive ear for parents. I want to raise the profile of this charity further so more children and parents can benefit.
Colleen Grove- Secretary/Director
When I was invited to join Small Steps as a trustee I was delighted to accept. My commitment is deeply personal: both of my daughters were born prematurely at 27 and 33 weeks, and my younger daughter has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and a congenital heart condition. These experiences have shown me the critical importance of early support.
In my role as Admissions and Placement Manager at a specialist school, I worked closely with families who had benefited from Small Steps’ early intervention, further reinforcing its impact. Since joining the Board in November 2025, I have combined my lived experience with my professional background to support the charity’s work.
I bring over 40 years’ experience across education, governance, PR, and communications, including leadership in SEND provision, data protection, and strategic campaigning, to help Small Steps reach more families.
Catherine Warland - Trustee/ Director
Andrew Richardson - Trustee/ Director
