Who We Are

Nick Hine joined the Royal Navy in 1985, enjoying a series of promotions through to his most recent role of Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, where he was responsible for a £7bn annual budget and the employment of over 30,000 people. He served as commanding officer of HMS Blackwater, as Executive Officer of HMS Splendid and has held several senior Navy and Government positions. In 2015, he was given permission to wear the Bronze Star Medal awarded to him by the President of the United States, and he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2018. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and holds degrees from City University and King’s College, London. He has since retired from the Navy in April 2022.

Nick was diagnosed as autistic in 2010 and comments that it felt like a weight had been lifted in terms of understanding of who he is, whilst also giving him a new understanding of how the world looked – designed by neurotypical people for neurotypical people. He has always been clear that his autism is a gift, but recognises that others often need more help. Nick’s public stance on neurodiversity, the need for support for those on the autistic spectrum and his championing of the strengths of people on the autistic spectrum led to him establishing the Neurodiversity Network for colleagues, to create an inclusive culture where diversity could be embraced.
Email: nick@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Abi works at C-Suite and Board levels in the social and corporate sectors as a communications and development consultant. She has spent the past 15 years working directly in the not-for-profit sector, specialising in fundraising and development, communications and stakeholder engagement.

Abi has worked as a consultant since January 2019 with clients as diverse as the Legal Services Board, Industrial Dwelling Society, Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust, and HSN Care, alongside her work in the charity sector.

As Director of Marketing and Fundraising at Norwood (disability charity with £34m turnover), Abi had responsibility for delivering £10m voluntary income a year and the performance management of two departments. Abi joined as a new RfA Trustee in March 2020 as she feels passionate about changing society’s narrative around Autism.
Email: abiy@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Brian Linden is a chartered accountant and founding partner of the private equity firm Cinven since 1985 where he remains a director. Following his time at Cinven, Brian founded and chairs the charity 2nd Chance which offers personalised programmes young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to improve their education and gain sustainable employment. Brian is also the chairman of Student Cribs, one of the leading student accommodation businesses for second and third year university students in the UK. Brian is particularly keen on making sure that adults with profound autism gain the support that they so badly need.
Email: brian@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Caroline Montgomery is a graduate of the University College of Wales and has spent her entire career in publishing, predominantly as a Literary Agent.   Her connection to RFA began at its inception, as her parents were both founding members of the charity, her mother a board member until her death in 2017. Caroline was proud to be invited to continue her mother’s work as a Trustee and looks forward to being part of RFA’s ongoing journey.
Email: carolinem@resourcesforautism.org.uk

President of Resources for Autism. Barrister and Author. Did research on Autism. Initiated the first debate in Parliament on Autism in 1995. Helped Found Resources for Autism the following year. Held various public offices.
Email: hartley@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Raymond is Resources for Autism’s treasurer and Company Secretary. He has been a board member since the organisation was formed and is a solicitor with extensive personal experience of Autism.
Email: raymond@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Incoming

Incoming

Iris has been a part of Resources for Autism since 2010. She originally joined as a volunteer but quickly became a part of the team; having since been involved in setting up and running a range of services.  

Iris brings a broad background of experiences in Education, special needs and psychology. She has worked across a range of services, both voluntary and statutory, supporting individuals with special needs and poor mental health. Iris has developed an interest in providing care for individuals holistically by looking at their circumstances, and the needs of their family in relation to their strengths.
Email: iris@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Davina has been a part of Resources for Autism since joining as a playworker in 2005. Over the last 15 years she has worked across a variety of settings within the autism sector including education, social care, early intervention, adult services and other national autism charities. Davina has a passion for autism and behaviour which comes directly from her hands on experience with autistic individuals of all ages and needs. Davina has completed a Positive Behaviour Support certification and is also one of Resources for Autism’s qualified Team Teach trainers. Davina is also a qualified therapeutic counsellor specialising in integrative art and has a special interest in providing this for adolescents with autism / additional needs.
Email: davina@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Rajan Thevasagayam is our Finance Manager who has joined our team on a part time basis. He is a qualified Chartered Certified accountant who has over thirty five years of audit and accountancy experience in many different sectors such as auditing, banking, retailing and for the last 14 years has been working in the charity sector including  a  9 year role as  head of finance of a major international charity. He has also worked in both Sri Lanka and UK.
Email: rajan@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Hugh joined RfA in 2016 after training as a music therapist at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. From 2008-2016 he held a variety of roles within mainstream and special education as a music teacher, youth worker and workshop facilitator. Alongside his individual and group work with RfA service users, Hugh continues to introduce different musical and improvisational experiences to the wider RfA community with experiential parent support groups, staff training, open mic nights and online staff jamming sessions!
Email: hugh@resourcesforautism.org.uk