Meet the Team
Creating chances, choices & opportunities for people
to live the best lives they can.
Call: 01772 732313
Chief Executive Officer
Phil East
Phil joined Caritas Care in 2026, bringing more than sixteen years’ experience from Salford Foundation, where he served as CEO for seven years.
He began his career as a Youth and Community Worker and has remained committed to tackling disadvantage and helping people overcome barriers to reach their potential. Alongside his professional role, Phil is actively involved in his local community and is a Trustee of The Lowry in Salford Quays.
Director of Finance
Chris Briggs
Chris joined Caritas Care in 1998 after a career in accountancy during which she had the pleasure of auditing the charity’s accounts for 10 years! Her role grew from Principal Officer Finance to Chief Finance & Operating Officer and now is the Charity’s Director of Finance and HR. She currently oversees the part of the charity’s central support services which includes Finance, HR, Administration, ICT, and Data Analysis.
Director of Community and Operations
James Haigh
James joined the team in January 2025 and brings with him experience in social care working for Lancashire County Council as both a support worker and manager in learning disability services. He has experience in housing, working at a number of Housing Associations in various roles including employment support, money advice, communities and social value. He also has experience working in charities in senior roles and delivering homelessness services.
At Caritas Care James is responsible for Supported Living Services, FX & VIP Day Services, Vincent House Homeless Hostel, Plungington Community Centre and all Caritas Care property. He is the designated Adults Safeguarding lead, head of health and safety and leads on GDPR as the charities’ Caldicott Guardian.
Head of Children’s Services
Kate Knowles
Kate joined the team in 2003 as a Social Worker in the Fostering Service. Kate came with experience of supporting adults in Learning Disability Services and a homeless hostel for women with children. Kate spent 11 years in the Fostering Service, supporting foster carers and young people. In 2014 Kate was involved in the setting up of the Concurrent Planning Service, assessing and approving adopters who could consider Early Permanence as a route to Adoption. Kate is very passionate about Early Permanence and the benefits it can have, particularly for children. Kate was also involved with consultancy work with the North East Regional Adoption Agencies to develop their Early Permanence offer.
Kate was appointed Head of Children’s Services in 2024 and is responsible for the Adoption, Fostering and Therapeutic Intervention Services. She is the designated Children’s Safeguarding Lead and Panel Advisor for the Adoption and Fostering panel at Caritas Care.
Our Trustees
Andy Bennett
Chair of Trustees
I worked in social care for 40 years – starting as a residential care worker in the Isle of Man, when I was fresh out of University. I then returned to the mainland to continue this role.
Eventually, I progressed to working for a local authority as a community support worker with children and families, as the emphasis changed to maintaining young people in their families. I eventually ‘took the plunge’ and qualified as a social worker, taking a role in a social work team before moving to a fostering team – the area of work that I really wanted to pursue.
I then worked in various management roles in local authorities before deciding that I needed a change and taking on a Registered Manager role in a north west charity. I very much enjoyed working in the third sector and stayed with the charity for 15 years, experiencing various highs and lows in the fostering work.
In the twilight of my career I opted to work for Caritas Care for a couple of years, looking at potential developmental tasks within the fostering team. My final roles were with the local authority in Blackpool, managing a fostering team before becoming the fostering panel advisor.
I was fortunate to be able to consider retirement and decided to apply to become a Trustee with Caritas Care – a role which interested me and one that I had only a little experience of. Fostering and children’s social care have formed the backbone of my experience in my work career and I hope that I can use this experience to benefit Caritas Care – whilst supporting the excellent work currently undertaken by the charity.
Andy Bennett
Trustee
Stuart Lee
Trustee
Adam Roberts
Trustee
Ahmad Ghiassi
Trustee
Jo Higham
Trustee
Mike Featherstone
Trustee