Chief Superintendent in West Midlands Police and the commander for Sandwell Local Policing Area, Kim’s experience spans 28 years, including leading teams in Public Protection, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism.
Kim was the subject lead for Domestic Abuse for many years and is the current lead for Trauma Informed Policing. She is passionate about Prevention, Neighbourhood Policing and Collaborating with partners to deliver great services to communities especially relating to issues of Violence against Women and Girls and has led many changes over her career to improve policing response to these crimes.
In 2004, she was a pivotal to the creation of West Midlands Association for Women in Policing – ensuring female colleagues maximised their potential through strategy development and delivery with a number of like-minded colleagues.
Today, she also sits on the national committee for the British Association for Women in Policing and is currently the strategic female lead on the West Midlands Police Superintendents Association, supporting her colleagues to ensure issues impacting senior female officers and police staff are understood and used to influence force decision making.
In her spare time Kim likes to support local communities by volunteering her time. Prior to joining West Midlands Police, she was a special constable and has recently completed 10 years’ service to a local charity who delivered trauma informed interventions to children. She has recently stepped down from the board and is looking forward to a charity mission to Kathmandu later this year with the Soroptimists.
For Birmingham’s Javina Green music, dance, and the performing arts became a lifeline following an abusive relationship, drug addiction, and sexual exploitation. Determined to use her story and music to empower other women and demand better support systems, she became a public speaker and released a five-track EP No More Silence which channels her journey and inspires change.
Javina said: “As a public speaker, I’ve shared my story with organisations like West Mercia Police, The Home Office and the Inspiring Leadership Foundation, aiming to create awareness and support for services that protect women. My presentations combine personal anecdotes with live performances, leaving a lasting impact and fostering crucial conversations about the challenges women face daily.
“Additionally, I actively collaborate with organisations to develop practical solutions for safer communities, advocating for high-risk domestic abuse victims and promoting trauma-informed strategies.”
The second Raise Up Conference, organised again by the Leamington Soroptimists, heard inspirational stories from leading lights in the worlds of business, advocacy and charity whilst also fundraising for local causes.
The event, held at The Fold in Leamington on September 14th, also raised £2,750 for local charities, Safeline and Arts Uplift.
The speakers’ deeply personal tales touched on a host of topics, from physical and mental health challenges, through to overcoming addiction, loss, trauma and domestic abuse.
It was the latest passion project – and swansong – of outgoing Soroptimists President, and Leamington podcaster and author, Catherine Williamson, whose Gobsmacked! Podcast, dedicated to celebrating inspirational life stories, has now been heard in more than 123 countries.
Catherine said: “Last year, Raise Up began almost spontaneously — a bold idea to harness the diverse talents of Leamington Spa Soroptimists. What unfolded exceeded every expectation: a day of energy, creativity, and generosity that proved what was possible when women came together with purpose.
“Ninety-four women gathered for a stand-out day. There were standing ovations, friendships formed, and that rare, unforgettable electricity that comes when women raise each other up. The result: £2,750 raised for charities, bringing our total giving across two years to an extraordinary £33,800.”
She added: “This year, as I prepare to step down as President, I wanted my swansong to be nothing short of emphatic. True to the spirit of the past two years, we raised the bar once more.
“To have led this group of tenacious, talented, heart-led women has been the privilege of a lifetime. As I step back into the arms of the membership, I do so with a song in my heart and the quiet knowing of a job well done.”
Visitors were also treated to fashion shows, art and preloved clothing sales.
Other keynote speakers throughout the day included:
Hetti Barkworth-Nanton CBE, from Wiltshire
Chair of Refuge’s Board of Trustees since 2020, Hetti has been an active campaigner raising awareness around domestic abuse and the criminal justice system since her best friend, Joanna Simpson, was killed by her estranged husband.
Adrianne Carter, from Lichfield
Adrianne is an internationally recognised body language expert, consumer psychology specialist and corporate trainer specialising in emotional intelligence, facial expressions, and non-verbal communication.
Lorie-Lanie Shanks, from Leamington
Lorie-Lanie Shanks is a storyteller, speaker and filmmaker whose healing journey after her father’s suicide and her own struggles with gambling addiction, inspired her to help others.
Her Kundalini yoga and Buddhist studies are the tools that inform her creative work, including her recent documentary project, Yogis of Ukraine—a film that sheds light on the power of yoga and mindfulness in supporting wounded soldiers and civilians in war-torn Ukraine.
Nicky Pattinson, from Yorkshire
A successful businesswoman and international speaker, Nicky straight talks with humour and heart about the lessons she’s learned in both her personal and professional life, including love, loss and resilience.
Also heard via video was Coventry’s Julie White, the owner of D-Drill & Sawing which has branches across the UK and Susan Rasmussen, from Leamington, who discussed her role as both an environmentalist and High Sheriff of Warwickshire.
For more information about Leamington Soroptimists visit: leamingtonsoroptimists.co.uk
Photos by Ana Franz Photography
