We are thrilled to introduce Rebecca Roxburgh, The Baytree Centre’s newly appointed CEO! Rebecca brings a wealth of experience, having worked at senior levels in UK government positions, including roles within the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and various other departments. Her background in strategy, international relations, and poverty alleviation aligns perfectly with Baytree’s mission of empowering women and girls from marginalised communities.
Rebecca’s career journey reflects her passion for fostering meaningful change, particularly for hard-working women and families. With a BA in Hispanic and Lusophone Studies from King’s College and an MA in Latin American Studies from the University of London, Rebecca has long been an advocate for creating opportunities and addressing inequalities.
We sat down with Rebecca to get her insights on what inspired her to join Baytree and her vision for the future. In this interview, you’ll learn more about how her personal experiences, career, and values will shape the future of Baytree. Read on to discover what drives Rebecca’s commitment to our mission and how she plans to make an even greater impact in the years to come.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background before joining The Baytree Centre?
Well, I’m from South London. I studied Spanish and Portuguese before completing a Masters in Latin American politics. Before joining Baytree, I worked in central government in several roles, including strategy, with ministers, on trade deals and policy creation. Most recently, I was the Strategy Director for Africa in a central government department. The roles I enjoyed the most were those focused on poverty alleviation in developing countries and particularly leading to positive outcomes for supporting hard-working women and families.
After a year of maternity leave, I’m excited to bring my experience to Baytree, while balancing my role with the joy of having a young family.
Did your family’s experiences or your upbringing influence the values and perspectives you hold today?
Very much! I’ll tell you this story as it is relevant to Baytree. When I was growing up my father started teaching at a school not far from here (Brixton). I learned a lot about the issues the children he taught faced (through being economically disadvantaged or having parents who are overworked and underpaid), and grew up seeing how with a teacher’s care and support, amazing change could happen – children going on to university for the first time, for example, or achieving higher grades than believed possible. And I heard about the other side of the coin, the challenges, abuse, crime, etc. This had a profound impact on me.
My father’s work not only shaped my perspective on the importance of education but also instilled in me the belief that empowering the family unit is just as important as empowering the individual. This resonates deeply with Baytree’s all-rounded approach to supporting women and girls.
How do you balance bringing fresh perspectives with preserving the core values that have made Baytree what it is today?
I really love the core values of Baytree (who wouldn’t?), and they are one of the things that really attracted me to Baytree. They are the foundation of Baytree’s unique identity. The staff who work at Baytree are so dedicated and passionate about helping others and supporting the women and girls who come here. They talk excitedly about what they are working on and the great stories from their working days. You can see them living those values and valuing everyone who comes through the door.
Complementing that, any organisation needs to encourage diverse ideas and innovation, whilst always aligning with its values. For my own part, I hope to use the structure, processes, scalability, and strategic thinking which comes from having worked in a large and complex organisation here to the benefit of Baytree.
Who or what inspires you in your work and why?
In my previous roles I was keen to spend time helping women in some capacity. One of the things I did was start to visit a very elderly lady, called Frances, each week. When I met her, she was 96, and her sight was fading. She was housebound and I had asked her parish priest if there was anyone I could visit. He asked if I could see her.
Despite her age, being very infirm and almost blind, visiting Frances was nothing like what I expected. In fact, it was a lot of fun. Frances would recount stories from a long-forgotten world which I could only read about in history books. She and her family had suffered greatly in the war and grown up with very little, having lost their father young, in East London. Nonetheless, she was eternally positive, rarely complained, was interested in me and my family, and was grateful for everything. In particular, she went out of her way to think of others and try to make them comfortable and feel included. I was always so impressed at how she tried to engage warmly with people she met, although she could no longer see them. Frances lived to be 101 and I was very fortunate to have met her.
I take from Frances an inspiration to work for and with others. People are the most important part of my working life. I have always found that in serving others with cheerfulness the cliché is true – that you get so much more back than you put in.
What is something you’ve noticed in your first few moments at Baytree that has surprised or inspired you?
In getting to know the staff at Baytree I was immediately taken with how many of the staff had previously volunteered here; it feels like almost all of them, and for many years! There are also some people who have been at Baytree since its start and are testament to the good work being done here. But Baytree is also growing and so there are plenty of new faces, and that mix is wonderful.
What’s your long-term vision for Baytree?
Baytree has built an incredible foundation, and my vision is to continue its trajectory of empowering women and girls from marginalised backgrounds to achieve their full potential. I would love to see Baytree not only expanding its reach within Brixton and South London, offering essential services like education, skills training, and emotional and technical support as well as fostering personal growth, self-confidence and leadership among the women we serve. I’m particularly excited to strengthen partnerships, innovate and develop the ways we offer one-to-one support and education, and ensure Baytree remains a nurturing space, where every individual feels seen and supported.
For those who’ve supported Baytree in the past and those considering it now, what’s one message you’d like them to hear from you personally?
As the newly appointed CEO of Baytree, my message to both our long-standing supporters and those considering joining our journey is this: Baytree is a place of transformation. Every day, I see women and girls, many of whom have faced unimaginable challenges, walk through our doors and leave with a renewed sense of purpose, confidence, and hope. This transformation is only possible because of people like you.
Whether you’ve been with us for years or are just learning about Baytree, your support changes lives in real and lasting ways. It empowers women and girls to not only survive but to thrive—to find their voice, to build a future, and to contribute to their communities. We are at a critical moment in our work, with more women and girls than ever before needing our support as they navigate the complexities of migration, education, and undue stress.
I invite you to stand with us as we continue to grow, innovate, and impact even more lives. Together, we can ensure that Baytree remains a place of hope, opportunity, and empowerment for every woman and girl who knocks at our door. Thank you for believing in their potential—and in our shared mission.
