Posted on: 21 April, 2026
After almost six years as the Chair, Lesleigh Bounds has stepped down as the Chair of Trustees at Cranstoun.
Lesleigh joined Cranstoun’s Board of Trustees in May 2019 and has served as Chair since May 2020. During this time, Lesleigh has provided strong and effective leadership to the charity and overseen change, development and innovation across Cranstoun during her term.
She led the Board as Cranstoun responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, oversaw our merger with Swanswell and helped to guide the charity through a period of significant growth and success.
Selina Sagayam has been appointed as the charity’s new Chair of Trustees. She is a globally renowned expert in governance, sustainability and legal regulatory work with decades of experience with some of the world’s leading law practices and in FTSE 250 funds.
She has a long track record of leading in large organisations in areas including corporate governance, ED&I, ESG, financial services regulation, human capital and risk. She also brings leadership experience in the charity sector through her time as Vice-Chair of Refuge and Trustee of the sustainability organisation Changeworks.
As Chair, Selina will support the delivery of the charity’s current strategic direction and lead the shaping of its next strategy, due to launch in 2027. With fellow trustees she will help to ensure strong governance and the long-term sustainability of the charity.
Lesleigh Bounds said: “It has been a privilege to serve the charity during a period of such significant transformation. Together, we have led Cranstoun through a major reorganisation, refreshed our brand to better reflect our purpose and impact, and delivered an ambitious strategy that has strengthened our services and reach across the country.
“As that strategy now approaches renewal, this feels like a natural moment to transition to new leadership.
“I am delighted to share that Selina Sagayam, currently a Trustee at Refuge, will be taking on the role of Chair in April. Selina brings a wealth of experience and is widely respected within the domestic abuse sector.
“Just as importantly, she brings a strong values base and deep commitment to improving lives, which closely aligns with Cranstoun’s mission and ethos. I am confident she will both build on the organisation’s strengths and bring fresh perspective to its next chapter. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved collectively.
“Cranstoun is a stronger, more resilient and impactful organisation because of the dedication, expertise and commitment of its people. I would like to thank my fellow Trustees, the executive team, and all colleagues across the charity for their support, insight and unwavering focus on improving lives.
“I leave with great confidence in Cranstoun’s future and wish the organisation every success in the next chapter.”
Carmen White, Chief Executive said: “Lesleigh has provided thoughtful and effective leadership to Cranstoun during her time as Chair. Cranstoun has grown our reach and impact in recent years, supporting more people to rebuild and live healthier, happier and safer lives.
“Throughout this period, Lesleigh has been a thoughtful and highly effective leader who has always kept our mission and the people who use our services at the centre of our work and that of the Board of Trustees. I’m grateful for her contribution and service, and on behalf of everyone at Cranstoun, wish her all the success for the future.”
Selina Sagayam, Chair of the Cranstoun Board of Trustees said: “It’s a real privilege to join Cranstoun at this important time for the charity.
“The work of the staff team at Cranstoun changes lives everyday and I’m excited to support and be part of this next part of what is more than half a century of supporting people to rebuild their lives.
“We have strong foundations which I am committed to building on and helping to ensure that we are able to support the people who need our services most.”