Directors

CEO

Jane Burns

Jane has worked in the charity sector for over 35 years and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising. She has held senior income generation and marketing roles at organisations including Help the Aged, the MND Association and YMCA England. Jane was appointed CEO in 2023, having previously been our Director of Income Generation and Marketing since 2019. She’s passionate about growing our reach and providing the Rainbows Experience wherever it’s needed. Outside Rainbows, Jane is a priest in the Church of England, licensed to two parishes in Kettering.

Executive Nurse & Director of Clinical Operations

Julie Taylor

Julie has been nursing for 35 years, building a wealth of experience across complex organisations. A registered adult and children’s nurse, she holds specialist qualifications in paediatric intensive care, advanced neonatal nursing and healthcare leadership, and spent much of her career in children’s and neonatal services in the NHS. Julie is our Executive Lead for Safeguarding, and has a particular interest in research, quality improvement and leadership development.

Director of People

Julia Bates

Julia is an FCIPD-qualified HR generalist with over 25 years’ experience in HR, the last 12 of them in the charity sector. At Rainbows, she oversees the people, facilities and deputy executive support functions. Her passions lie in organisational culture, inclusivity and developing a workforce fit for the future. Julia is also Chair of the University of Leicester Students’ Union, a role that lets her support the next generation of students.

Director of Finance

Josie Lee

Josie has a BA in Management Studies with French from the University of Nottingham and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. She qualified with KPMG before moving into industry, spending 11 years at software business Supply Pilot, where she became Chief Financial Officer in 2018 and helped lead the company through investment, growth and its sale in 2023. Outside work, Josie is a keen gym-goer and skier, and has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

Director of Income Generation & Marketing

Sally Benton

Sally has worked in the voluntary sector for 15 years, leading fundraising, marketing and communications at national charities including the Forward Trust, the Design Council and Nacro. Her work has included national campaigns on addiction stigma, homelessness, housing and mental health, and she has led major programmes for the Big Lottery and NHS England. Before the charity sector, Sally worked in central government on education, child protection and policing. A lifelong West Bromwich Albion supporter, she can often be found on the terraces at weekends.