Director Biographies

Chief Executive - Susie Hargreaves

Susie joined the IWF in September 2011 as Chief Executive.

She has worked in the Charity sector for more than 25 years, most recently as CEO of The Society of Dyers & Colourists and previously in a range of senior positions including running a number of membership organisations.

Prior to this she ran her own consultancy business specialising in business development, events, marketing and membership for the charity and not-for-profit sector. She started her career in the cultural sector where she worked as a manager of theatre companies and venues and was CEO of Audiences Yorkshire - the UK’s largest cultural marketing agency.

In January 2010, she was chosen to take part in Dishaa, an Anglo/Indian government initiative to bring together 25 leaders from both UK and India from all sectors to find solutions to major international issues.

In 2007 she chaired the Salzburg Global Seminar programmes on the Arts and also attended Harvard University Executive Programme as one of 60 worldwide delegates on the Women and Power programme. In 2006 she was awarded a prestigious Clore Leadership Fellowship.

Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Policy and Perfomance - Deborah McGovern

Deborah joined the IWF in April 2010 as Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Policy and Performance. She is responsible for corporate services, including governance, performance and member relations.

Following educational achievements in gaining a BSc(Hons) Psychology degree and MSc in Criminal Justice Studies Deborah started her career in mental health research, working in London and Maidstone. After a short term research project at Warwick University, she joined British Transport Police as a Policy and Project Manager. In 2003 she moved to the then British Transport Police Committee to help set up the new Police Authority, remaining there as Deputy Clerk until promoted to Chief Executive at Lincolnshire Police Authority in 2007.

Director of Operations,Technology and Content - Fred Langford

Fred joined the IWF in December 2004. He is responsible for the IWF’s technical services and requirements as well as liaison with member companies and other stakeholders regarding technical and content issues. He is the IWF’s EU Safer Internet Programme project coordinator and is responsible for the IWF Hotline, systems, and information security.

Fred has been involved in projects including the blocking initiative and upgrading the Hotline report management system and was responsible for IWF becoming ISO27001 accredited in 2007. He gained Prince2 Practitioner (Project Management) status in April 2007 and continues to present to technical forums on the work, processes and success of the IWF.

He has worked for the Ministry of Defence, at Tier 1 internet service providers and other organisations in a technical and consultancy capacity.

Director of Communications - Emma Lowther

Emma joined the IWF in April 2011. She is responsible for the media relations, public affairs and marketing of the IWF as well as engaging with communications teams in member companies and stakeholder organisations.

Emma started out as a journalist writing for a newspaper and magazine before taking internal communications and press office roles at Cambridgeshire Constabulary. She managed a communications team at a district council before coming to the IWF, first as Communications Manager, then Director.

She has a Multi-Media Journalism degree, is a qualified senior reporter and holds a Public Relations Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.