Our leadership team
Our Chief Executive and directors
What we do day-to-day is managed by our Chief Executive, supported by a strategic management group of seven directors and our CEO. The directors are accountable to the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees. In addition, there is an elected National Forum which supports and advises the Board and champions the work of the charity.

Caroline Stevens - Chief Executive
Caroline Stevens joined our charity in November 2019. She was Chief Executive of KIDS for six years and also has an autistic son.

Caroline Foster - People Director
Caroline joined the National Autistic Society in January 2022, having held previous roles in a variety of sectors in U.K. and international companies.

Peter Watt – Managing Director – National Programmes
Peter joined the charity in 2021 having previously worked at the NSPCC and in children's social care. Peter's teenage daughter is autistic.

Lesley Andrews - Director of Assurance and Compliance
Lesley joined the organisation at the beginning of 2021. She has held similar Assurance and Compliance roles across the public, private and charity sectors.

Dr Nic Crossley - Director of Education and Children’s Services
Nic has worked in education for 20+ years, with 6 years as Director of Inclusion at 27 schools and interim Director of Education, a safeguarding and inclusion background, and has an autistic son.

Kelly Evans - Director of Finance
Since joining the charity in 2004, Kelly has worked in a variety of business and finance roles, becoming Director of Finance in 2015.
