As chief executive of Action for Children since January 2005, Clare is responsible for one of the UK’s largest and most important charities. Action for Children employs over 6,000 people in nearly 450 projects across the UK, supporting more than 185,000 children, young people and their families within their communities. Clare qualified as a social worker at Bristol University in 1984 and since then has worked within a number of social care and housing organisations including Centrepoint and Stonham Housing Association.

In July 2010 Children’s Minister Sarah Teather asked Dame Clare Tickell, to carry out an independent review of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and this was completed in April 2011.

Clare is a member of the Public Interest General Council of the Office of Public Management and the Board of The Guinness Partnership, the social housing landlord and sits on the CVLS Honours Committee. Clare also chairs the recently established Commission into the Future of Hospice Care sponsored by Help the Hospices.

Clare was awarded a DBE in the New Years Honours 2010 for services to young people. Clare holds an Honorary Doctorate in Laws from Bristol University and is a Fellow of the City and Guilds Institute.