WEN Wales appoints new Director

Women’s Equality Network Wales is delighted to announce that Victoria Vasey has been appointed as the new Director of the organisation, succeeding Catherine Fookes who is stepping down after six years in the position. Victoria will take up the role on 25th September.

Victoria joins WEN from the Human Dignity Trust, where as Head of Legal she drove forward the mission to defend the rights of LGBT people globally using the law.

“I am honoured to be joining WEN Wales, mindful that, as the cost of living crisis continues to bite and inequalities deepen, WEN’s mission is ever more important. I look forward to working with the brilliant team at WEN Wales and a powerful network of member organisations across the country to build on past successes and to strive to make this a better and fairer place for all women.” – Victoria Vasey

“Victoria brings with her a wealth of expertise in equalities, having litigated strategic human rights cases before the European Court of Human Rights, the European Committee of Social Rights and UN treaty bodies. Her breadth of experience will help us continue to build on WEN Wales’ impact and influence to make change at this crucial time. We are looking forward to working with her for a Wales free from gender discrimination as we begin this new era for WEN.”– Mary Ann Brocklesby, WEN Wales Chair

This means, of course, that we are saying goodbye to Catherine Fookes.

“Catherine has been an outstanding director for WEN Wales. She has built a strong, collaborative organisation representative of the diversity of women’s voices and experiences across Wales. Through her leadership, WEN has grown in numbers and influence. We will miss her and wish her well in her new ventures. We know whatever she does she will continue to be a champion for an inclusive, equal Wales free from discrimination.” – Mary Ann Brocklesby, WEN Wales Chair

“It’s been a huge honour to lead WEN Wales the past six years – I have enjoyed every minute of it. I would like to pay tribute to our amazing staff team at WEN. Their dedication, passion and expertise is second to none and I will really miss each and every one of them.

I also want to say a very big thank you to all our incredible partners and funders who I have worked with and learnt from, all of whom have ensured that we made a much bigger impact than we could have alone.

Finally I want to thank the Board of Trustees who have been unfailingly supportive and embodied our WEN values of relentlessness, responsibility and kindness.

I know WEN Wales will be in safe hands with our next Director and will continue strongly on its journey to delivering a Wales free from gender discrimination.” – Catherine Fookes