Sarah Ronan
Director

Sarah Ronan developed the Coalition while working at the Women’s Budget Group (WBG). She is now the Coalition’s Director with responsibility for its strategy and operations.

Prior to joining WBG, Sarah worked at Pregnant Then Screwed where she led its award-winning pandemic response including campaigns on childcare and employment rights, as well as building its high-impact support services. Sarah has previously worked in policy, comms and campaigns for a range of organisations including trade unions and early education providers. She also sits on the board of Parental Pay Equality, the campaign for equal parental leave for the self-employed. Sarah speaks and writes regularly in the media on the importance of early education and childcare for the whole of society.

Staff Team

Lucie Stephens
Head of Research

Lucie leads the Coalition’s research and helps to coordinate research among partner organisations. She was instrumental in leading the co-design of the Coalition during its development phase.

Lucie was previously head of co-production and core economy at the New Economics Foundation where she published the Childcare Infrastructure Fund report, a fully costed bailout plan designed to support the sector during lockdown. She has worked on co-produced childcare and early education provision since 2012, supporting parent-led nurseries. As the former director of a nursery, she has first-hand experience of the challenges facing providers. Lucie is also a Director at the Ideas Alliance and works on a consultancy basis for organisations and movements looking at systems change and the application of research.

Debbie Caine
Senior Public Affairs Officer

Debbie has worked in politics at all levels for almost 15 years managing campaigns for parliamentary and mayoral candidates as well as seven years spent working for an MP. More recently, Debbie worked for a public affairs consultancy specialising in devolution. She has also served as campaign director of Hillsborough Law Now, a cause she continues to support.

When not meddling in politics, Debbie is a mother of four and spends her spare time hiding from her husband, the children & and (too many) pets in order to eat cake and read (non-political) books in peace.

Matthew Mountford-Brock
Communications and Campaigns Manager

Matthew has extensive experience in government communications having worked across the civil service for several years including the Department for Education press office where his work covered everything from early to higher education.

He joined the Coalition from the professional membership body, the AAT, where he led its busy media relations team. Matthew’s early career included working for Job Centre Plus where he gained practical experience helping people to overcome barriers to employment. He holds a degree in Film Studies and an NCTJ qualification in journalism. When he’s not fighting to reform early education, he can be found cheering on Chelsea - an arguably more challenging task.

Steering Group

The Staff Team is supported by a Steering Group elected by the Coalition’s membership. Together they champion the voices of all those we represent and help to set the strategic direction of the Coalition. They are:

  • Catherine McLeod, Dingley’s Promise

  • Neil Leitch, Early Years Alliance

  • Phoebe Sarjent, Federation of Small Businesses

  • Victoria Benson, Gingerbread

  • Helen Donohoe, PACEY (Vice-Chair)

  • Joeli Brearley, Pregnant Then Screwed

  • Meghan Meek-O’Connor, Save the Children UK

  • Nikki Pound, Trades Union Congress

  • Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, Women’s Budget Group (Chair)

Centring lived experience

The Coalition’s research and campaign strategy is informed by the experience of those at the coalface. We regularly convene focus groups and speak directly to those working in the sector as well as to families struggling to access government support or the provision they need.

We are continuing to develop this into a lived experience advisory group. Please get in touch if you are interested in participating.