Dr Summer Alston-Smith has been appointed as the new CEO of Clinks and will come into post on 16 March. 

She joins with over two decades of experience in the criminal justice and voluntary sectors. Summer is currently the Director of Development and Insights at Advance, where she shaped strategic direction for services supporting over 5,000 women annually across domestic abuse and criminal justice pathways. Her leadership has been instrumental in developing high-value partnership models, influencing commissioning and policy, and driving innovative, whole-system approaches to tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG). Her career spans operational roles including service delivery leadership at the Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) and Advance, and strategic positions such as membership of Her Insight Collective expert advisory group, and serving as Vice-Chair of the Criminal Justice Alliance. She has also worked across the prison estate, and spearheaded research and evaluation projects with leading universities to amplify the voices of women and families affected by the justice system. Her academic background includes an MSc in Forensic Psychology and a PhD in Psychology. A committed advocate for equity and inclusion, Summer has led large, national teams, fostered partnership working with specialist organisations, and operated a leadership style rooted in collaboration and co-production.

Mandy Mahil, Chair of Clinks, said:

“On behalf of the Clinks Board, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Summer. We are delighted that she will be joining at what is a pivotal moment for the criminal justice voluntary sector, and taking over an organisation that is going from strength-to-strength.

“Summer brings with her extensive experience of people affected by the criminal justice system and is well known across our membership. I know that all of our members will want to join me in wishing Summer every success.

“We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition in the run-up to Summer joining, and she will be working closely with Anne and the Clinks team in the weeks ahead.”

Dr Summer Alston-Smith, incoming CEO of Clinks, said:

“I’m delighted to be stepping into this role at such a critical moment for the sector. With the imminent passing of the Sentencing Bill and the ongoing work of the Women’s Justice Board, there is significant opportunity to shape what comes next. This aligns with Clinks’ broader commitment to building a resilient and vibrant voluntary sector in the longer term.

Clinks plays such a crucial role in ensuring that the voices of charities working in the criminal justice system are heard by key decision-makers, and I’m looking forward to continuing that momentum forward.

My sincere thanks to Anne Fox for her stewardship of Clinks as CEO over the past ten years and for the warm welcome extended to me by Anne, the team, and the board. ”

Find out more 

For media enquiries please contact Sam Julius, Clinks Director of National Influencing & Networks, on 07779 579830 or sam.julius@clinks.org.

About Clinks

Clinks is the national infrastructure charity dedicated to supporting voluntary organisations working with people in the criminal justice system and their families. We support, promote, and advocate for our members and the wider voluntary sector across England and Wales. Our vision is of a vibrant, independent and resilient voluntary sector that enables people to transform their lives.

© Clinks, 2026

Registered office: 82A James Carter Road, Mildenhall, Suffolk, IP28 7DE 

Registered charity: 1074546 | Company limited by guarantee in England & Wales: 3562176