Suky Bhaker, acting CEO, remembers Rachel:

“Rachel was a fierce advocate for victims and her passion and commitment to furthering the work of Suzy Lamplugh Trust was inspiring. I know I speak on behalf of many colleagues when I say it has been a privilege working with Rachel. Rachel was an motivational leader who had passion and drive, who will be missed immensely by all those who worked with her past and present. Our thoughts are with Rachel’s husband Dave and all those who knew and loved her.”

 

Under Rachel’s leadership, the Trust made great strides in tackling personal safety and stalking; there was no task too big, no challenge too complex that she would shy away from. She took the Trust from strength to strength.  Her achievements included campaigning to bring about specific laws for the offence of stalking and the Government agreeing to legislate on national minimum standards for taxis and private hire vehicles. In her time leading the Trust more people were helped than ever before through our training, community development projects, advice and through the development of the National Stalking Helpline, which to date has supported over 30,000 victims. It was also under her leadership that the multi agency stalking intervention programme was launched, an innovative world first programme aimed at managing the risk stalking perpetrators pose.

 

Sir Ian Johnson, Chair of Trustees, Suzy Lamplugh Trust said

“All of us at Suzy Lamplugh Trust are heart broken at Rachel’s departure from this world. I have known and admired Rachel since her time with the Trust began seven years ago. I have also had the privilege of working with some highly talented people elsewhere in my life, and Rachel was definitely in the premier league of managers who I worked with. She was intelligent, challenging, determined, personable, caring and what I would describe overall as a world class human being. Her impact on the Trust has been enormous, and will be lasting.
I will miss her terribly, both as a professional and a friend.”

Rachel’s legacy lives on through a​ll those people whose lives she had an influence on whether it be through the work she did, the leadership she provided or the friendships she made. A huge loss but an inspiration to so many that we owe it to her to continue her work.