TIM BREAR | REGIONAL LEADER - YORKSHIRE AND NORTH EAST

Tim had a brief military career in the 80s and 90s before a 25-year business career. He joined REACT (then TRUK) in 2018 and has deployed to Mozambique, Sierra Leone, the Bahamas and Poland (Ukraine) as well as to several major floods in Yorkshire. Having completed REACT training courses, Tim now often assists in running the courses as a mentor or Directing Staff (DS). He lives in rural North Yorkshire and is now employed to build the REACT Yorkshire and North East region, developing stronger ties with the Local Resilience Forums, emergency response community and 'blue lights'. Tim loves his rugby and walking in the Dales.

Contact: [email protected]

VICCI FABRIS | REGIONAL LEADER - LONDON AND SOUTH EAST

With a career rooted in military service, Vicci transitioned to Respiratory Therapy and devoted 15 years to individual patient care. After witnessing the aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquake in 2017, Vicci was compelled to make a broader impact. This led her to earn a Masters in Disaster and Emergency Management from Royal Roads University,  blending her medical expertise with project and disaster management skills. She brings this unique perspective and skillset to her role at REACT.

Contact: [email protected]

RICHARD HOOD | REGIONAL LEADER - NORTH WEST / WATER AND FLOOD OPERATIONS LEAD

Richard has over 20 years of experience working in water rescue operations, first response and remote medical in the UK, Europe and the US. He used his civil engineering and land management degrees to advise the Fire and Rescue Services about flood incidents, and whilst working for the Environment Agency in Flood Resilience and operations. Richard then worked as the Resilience and Emergency Management lead for Communities Prepared. He is currently completing his MSc in Resilience and Emergency Management. Richard started with REACT as a volunteer in 2022; he is passionate that individuals and communities have a part to play in resilience and emergency response. Outside of his roles at REACT, he works with communities in the UK and abroad, supporting initiatives such as CERT in the US, growing networks, raising awareness and helping people become more prepared for an uncertain future.

Contact: [email protected]

ROB SALMON | REGIONAL LEADER - WALES

Rob joined what was then TRUK in 2019. After training and several stints instructing on the UK Operations course, as well as a minor appearance on DIY SOS, he deployed to the Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. Following a 24-year career in the Royal Navy and a brief sojourn with a conservation charity, Rob retired from the Civil Service in 2023 to take up the Regional Leader post in Wales – a role he had filled as a volunteer for the bulk of the COVID pandemic. Outside of work, Rob enjoys walking in the South Wales valleys, developing his skills as a stand-up comic – he recently appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe - and is a trustee of a charity working to support other veterans using comedy to improve their well-being.

Contact: [email protected]

BOB SHAW | REGIONAL LEADER - SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND

Bob retired from Police Scotland in 2022 following a 30-year career spanning Strathclyde Police and Police Scotland. He was a Public Order and CBRN Commander and latterly was the Counter Terrorist Search Coordinator for the United Nations COP26 in Glasgow in 2021. He joined REACT in November 2022 as Regional Lead for Scotland and Northern Ireland and is a UK and International Responder.

Contact: [email protected]

HARRY STARKEY | REGIONAL LEADER - WEST MIDLANDS

Harry Served for five years in the Army followed by 30 years in the Fire & Rescue Service. Whilst still serving with the F&RS he was an active volunteer, speaking to school children to promote fire safety awareness, travelling to Russia to teach Vehicle Extrication and AED skills to firefighters in Volgograd, helping to deliver medical aid to Sarajevo, working as an adult instructor in the Sea Cadet Corps and acting as a First Aider and purser on a sailing ship for the Tall Ships Youth Trust. On retirement from the F&RS in March 2010 he volunteered with a Mountain Rescue Team. In Dec 2012 he took up a role as a Fire Crew Chief in Kandahar Afghanistan, returning to the UK in 2014. He joined REACT as a volunteer in April 2020 and became Regional Leader for the West Midlands in Jan 2021.

Contact: [email protected]

BRIDGETTE JONES | CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER

Bridgette joined REACT in 2022 and is a knowledgeable and qualified CIMA Finance and Governance Professional with over 25 years’ of experience in both the charitable and corporate sectors. She has been working in the Charity Sector for seven years and has supported Board Members in discharging their fiduciary duties, by providing reporting and information.

CHRIS LYONS | HEAD OF TECH AND INNOVATION

Chris joined the team in 2015 and has led on all of the technology behind REACT from its inception, from operational equipment, to the underpinning data management systems required for such a rapid and flexible organisation. 

He specialises in data structures and information flows, constantly finding new ways to improve responsiveness and decrease manual overheads, allowing REACT to squeeze the maximum outcome from money spent on headcount and resources.

JANE POUND | CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

Jane is a seasoned HR Director holding the FCIPD accreditation. Having worked across criminal justice, health, education and housing sectors delivering large-scale organisational change and working closely with HR teams and trade unions to develop a partnership approach. Jane joined REACT in 2022 inspired by the mission and ambition set out by Toby. Outside of REACT Jane is proud to be the Chair of the People & Governance Committee at Bron Afon Community Housing, a social housing provider in South Wales.

Laura has been a marketing and communications professional for over 18 years, having worked in a diverse number of industries. Her experience in both charitable organisations and the commercial sector has equipped Laura with a unique and holistic understanding of marketing strategies, coupled with a keen eye for innovative and visually compelling communication. Laura joined REACT in 2023, driven by a desire for a career with purpose, committed to utilising her skills to make a positive impact in the realm of disaster response.

TOBY WICKS | CEO

Toby is a geographer and a humanitarian. His career has focused on introducing and applying innovations in data and technology to some of the world’s biggest challenges. Prior to joining REACT, Toby led a transformational change programme as the Chief of Data and Analytics at UNICEF, where he also managed responses in the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Chad, Libya, and Yemen. Toby’s early career was focused on geospatial data, including roles with the World Health Organisation, Ordnance Survey, and as a volunteer and board member with the NGO MapAction. He holds a PhD in remote sensing and an MBA from INSEAD.

Contact: [email protected]