PACEY spokespeople

PACEY has a range of experts in childcare and childcare policy who are able to speak knowledgeably on a wide range of issues affecting the childcare sector. 

If you would like to request someone for an interview, soundbite, statement, or panel discussion, please contact the press office.

Our current spokespeople are:

Helen Donohoe, Chief Executive

Helen took over as Chief Executive in December 2022, having previously been PACEY's Policy Advisor Since 2019.  

She has almost 30 years of experience across policy development, campaigning, and senior leadership, including time as the Director for Public Policy at Action for Children and as a Parent Governor of Islington North Nursery.

Helen has a great deal of media experience having taken part in numerous regional television and national radio interviews. Helen also writes opinion pieces for print and online journals.

Penny Tassoni, President

As President of PACEY, Penny is a leading expert in childcare. She is widely published on childcare and child development, with books aimed at those working in or studying professional childcare, including Getting It Right for Two Year Olds, a Penny Tassoni Handbook. 

She is media-trained, and has appeared across a wide range of media channels, speaking on a lot of issues concerning how best to support the learning and emotional, physical and cognitive development or pre-school children. 

Claire Protheroe, Head of Contracts and Projects

Claire’s job is to lead all of PACEY Cymru’s work in Wales with Welsh Government and other key stakeholders as well as managing PACEY’s wider work with local authorities (LAs) in England and Wales. This includes managing contracts to deliver services and any grant funded projects PACEY run alongside maintaining relationships with childcare and early years leaders in local authorities in both nations.

Claire has held a number of roles since joining PACEY in 2009 and before this Claire was a registered childminder for a number of years.