Meet the policy team
Meet the policy team
As a policy, research and advocacy team we are committed to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. We bring together a wide range of experience in education, governance and humanitarian backgrounds with a shared passion for building a better world for all children.
Find out more about who we are and what we do or get in touch with us at [email protected]
Kathleen Spencer Chapman
Head of Policy, Advocacy and Research
“I oversee the work of the team to ensure we’re delivering as much as we can for girls around the world – we do this through influencing the policies of the UK Government, and others. I love working with so many passionate and committed people from all over the world, who have a real desire to change things for the better. Together, we raise the voices of young people to be heard by decision makers, and share learnings and proposals for change, based on our experience and what young people tell us.”
Follow Kathleen on Twitter @kathleen_tweets
Anthony Davis
POLICY AND ADVOCACY ADVISER - GENDER EQUALITY
"As the gender policy adviser I work on a range of issues related to gender equality, gender-based violence and gender in emergencies. Currently, my main focus is on ending the exploitation of adolescent girls, including in humanitarian and fragile contexts.
"I love Plan International’s right-based approach, and am inspired by the work that we do through our Because I am a Girl campaign. I’m especially proud of the passing of two UN Resolutions to end child marriage, something that Plan International had been advocating for since the launch of our report, A Girl’s Right to Say No to Marriage."
Follow Anthony on Twitter @AnthonyDavis82 or read his blogs.
Bekky Ashmore
Policy and Advocacy Officer
"I support the Policy and Advocacy team, particularly our events and youth advocacy work.
"My favourite moment so far has been supporting girl advocates from our programmes at international events such as the UN General Assembly. They are so incredibly passionate about girls' rights and are creating change in their communities. To be part of giving them a platform to tell the world what they do makes me really proud."
Follow Bekky on Twitter @bekkyAshmore or read her blogs.
Penny Hanton
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
I look after Plan International UK’s engagement with MPs and members of the House of Lords. As a team we’re working to build political support for girls’ rights globally so that their needs are met and their voices are listened to
I’m motivated by a belief in the power of politics to affect positive change for the most vulnerable and marginalised people across the world. I love being able to put that belief into action at Plan UK to ensure that girls’ rights and needs are at the heart of global action on international development
Read Penny's blogs
Poppy Kennedy
POLICY, ADVOCACY AND RESEARCH ASSISTANT
I support the Policy, Advocacy and Research team with development of policy, advocacy and research including internal and external comms and events
My favourite moment of working at Plan International UK so far was supporting youth advocates from Ghana and Rwanda on their visit to the UK as they came to take part in our House of Lords debate. I love that Plan seeks to elevate the voices of youth advocates enabling them to take the challenges that mean most to them to decisionmakers around the world.
Read Poppy's blogs
Anna Darling
POLICY AND ADVOCACY ADVISER - EDUCATION
I lead Plan UK’s policy and advocacy work around global education.
My job is to make sure the UK Government and other leaders prioritise access to good quality education for young people across the world, especially adolescent girls living in crisis such as in war zones and refugee settings. We do this in various ways, for example by making sure girls’ voices and experiences are heard on international platforms and in key global moments. In 2020, my priority is to make sure leaders are paying attention to the impact that climate change has on education, as well as the need to educate girls on the climate crisis so they can be ready for action.