IAA's leadership team

Meet the leadership team driving the strategic vision and operations of the IAA, dedicated to ensuring high standards across the sector.

Heather is the Chief Executive of the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), having officially taken up the role in March 2025 following her period as interim Chief Executive from January 2025. She brings extensive experience from a diverse career spanning the public, private, and non‑profit sectors.

An accomplished Senior Civil Servant, Heather has held several high-profile leadership roles in immigration. Before joining the Home Office in 2016, she built much of her career in fraud prevention, detection, and deterrence. Her work included positions in public sector and outsourced banking operations, as well as serving as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Advisory Board at Cifas, a leading fraud prevention agency.  

As Chief Executive, Heather is focused on strengthening the IAA’s leadership team and driving the successful implementation of its transformation agenda. She plays a critical role in supporting the organisation’s evolution into a high-performing, outward-focused authority with enhanced capabilities, ensuring it delivers exceptional services to the public.  

Annie joined the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) in December 2023 as Chief of Staff and Head of Communications, bringing over a decade of experience in communications, strategy, and governance across the United Nations and Civil Service.

Annie began her career in the humanitarian sector as a training lead for the UK’s UN Migration Agency, where she trained frontline professionals to support victims of trafficking and slavery. In 2015, she joined the Civil Service, starting at the Cabinet Office, where she took on various roles aligned with Prime Ministerial priorities. Notably, she led the communications response team following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.