Our Trustees
As a charitable organisation, our Trustees ensure a rigorous, independent oversight of STARS Dorset. Our Trustees have a legal responsibility for STARS Dorset’s administration and governance and provide valuable guidance and support to our Chief Executive Officer. Each Trustee brings with them, unique professional qualifications and personal experience to their role and collectively set STARS Dorset’s strategic goals, uphold our values and guide the organisations work towards a society healed of sexual trauma and abuse.
Trustees
Alex Hancox - Chair of Trustees
After graduating from Bournemouth University in 2017, Alex was elected Vice President of the Students’ Union. It was here that he first heard of STARS (Dorset Rape Crisis Support Centre as it was then known), and started volunteering at events across Dorset, including Bourne Free and Bestival, promoting the charity’s Consent Tent. Alex then started volunteering as a support line listener too, and in 2019 was elected as a Trustee and appointed as the Vice Chair.
Alex is currently a Civil Servant and brings recruitment experience and an interest in policy and good governance to the board. He lives in Bournemouth and in his spare time enjoys travelling and skiing.
Professor Peter Hills - Vice Chair of Trustee's
Peter joined the Board of Trustees in 2021. He has been Head of Department of Psychology at Bournemouth University for 4 years and brings this leadership experience to the Board.
As a professor of psychology, Peter leads an interdisciplinary team of researchers (including experimental cognitive and social psychologists, forensic investigators, journalists, lawyers, VR specialists, sexual trauma counsellors) at Bournemouth University exploring attitudes toward sexual violence and evaluating campaigns aimed at reducing sexual violence, in order to develop effective evidence-based campaigns or educational packages that would reduce sexual violence. In addition, he researches the impact of the criminal justice service’s procedures on the reporting, investigating, trying, and sentencing of sexual assault.
Allegra Ghiloni
After graduating from Bournemouth University in 2017, Alex was elected Vice President of the Students’ Union. It was here that he first heard of STARS (Dorset Rape Crisis Support Centre as it was then known), and started volunteering at events across Dorset, including Bourne Free and Bestival, promoting the charity’s Consent Tent. Alex then started volunteering as a support line listener too, and in 2019 was elected as a Trustee and appointed as the Vice Chair.
Alex is currently a Civil Servant and brings recruitment experience and an interest in policy and good governance to the board. He lives in Bournemouth and in his spare time enjoys travelling and skiing.
Graham Vagg
Graham grew up and lives on the south coast. His passion for social justice stems from two years living in Romania working with street children, orphans and sex workers following the revolution.
Graham has over 30 years experience in senior roles working in local authorities, education and the voluntary sector. Following a successful period as head of operations for a domestic abuse and sexual violence charity, Graham is passionate about raising awareness of VAWG and challenging misogyny. He is keen to further this work by being a trustee for STARS.
Graham’s current role is head of safeguarding for a large national charity and hope the skills he has gained throughout his career will support the STARS vision.
Graham lives with his daughter and spends his spare time being a taxi service, picking up dirty laundry, borrowing dogs and avoiding sport of all kinds.
Jackie Farquharson
As the Victims Champion for Dorset, Jackie worked alongside the Victims’ Commissioner and Criminal Justice Agencies to achieve best practice in the delivery of services for victims of crime. Experience in that role included being a member of the Wessex CPS Scrutiny Panel which examined court processes in relation to crimes committed against women and girls.
Before being the Victims’ Champion Jackie spent ten years as Dorset Police Safeguarding Disclosure Manager where her responsibilities included disclosing relevant police information when a significant risk to children and/or the vulnerable was identified. Responsibilities also included working with the Family Court User Group collaborating on developments and services within the Family Court to achieve timely, positive outcomes for children and families
For Jackie’s PhD in Criminal Justice, she explored the tensions between a Welfare Approach and Criminal Justice Outcomes for vulnerable victims of abuse and as a Soroptimist I co-authored ‘Fresh Thoughts, Information and Support for Women Fleeing Domestic Abuse in Dorset’.
Victoria Heeley
Victoria has been a Trustee since 2017 and has also served as Chair during her time on the Board. She brings extensive experience in governance, compliance, leadership, and the charity sector, with a strong commitment to supporting those affected by sexual violence.
An experienced and BACP-accredited counsellor, Victoria works within the NHS, providing specialist support to people and their families who have cancer or who are under palliative care services. She also runs her own private practice, offering counselling for a range of mental health and wellbeing concerns.
With a diverse professional background, Victoria has worked across both the corporate and charity sectors, locally, nationally and internationally, bringing a breadth of experience in counselling, leadership and service provision.
Victoria is passionate about ensuring accessible, high-quality support services for those in need and is dedicated to the continued development and sustainability of STARS Dorset. In her spare time, she enjoys singing in a community choir.
Trustee Vacancies
As a trustee, your role is to ensure that STARS Dorset complies with charity law, develops and implements an appropriate and effective strategy, and sets and keeps to a suitable budget. With your fellow trustees, you are responsible for appointing the Chief Executive and monitoring their performance.And have the following qualities:
- Commitment to STARS Dorset
- Integrity, strategic vision and good/independent judgement
- A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as a trustee
- Ability to take part in collective decisions for the good of STARS Dorset
- Good communication skills
- Tact and diplomacy
- An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
- Understanding of the legal responsibilities of a trustee (training on this will be given as part of the induction process)
