Gayle joined Hestia in 2014 as Deputy Director of Operations before becoming Regional Director in 2016, Executive Director of Services in 2022 and now Executive Director of Development since early 2024. She has also held the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead since 2017. In her current role, Gayle leads Hestia’s Integrated Business Development Team, the Volunteering Team and was integral in supporting our service user group to rebrand as The Together Network in early 2024.

Gayle previously worked for St Mungo’s since 2001 and her previous roles included leading St Mungo’s national expansion programme, securing and implementing over £25m of new business across the South West. Gayle was previously the Substance Use Team Regional Manager for St Mungo’s, heading up organisational clinical governance around needle exchanges, BBV clinics and substitute prescribing provision and advising the organisational Alcohol Working Party.

Gayle started her professional career as a volunteer with a small independent charity working with homeless people, and is dedicated to supporting volunteers to bring their experience to Hestia and in empowering service users to design and deliver services together. Gayle is a Psychology graduate, a qualified trainer and holds numerous Safeguarding and Health and Social Care vocational qualifications.