Safe and Sound CEO Tracy Harrison announces retirement after seven years Of transformational leadership

Picture: Ian Hodgkinson / Picture It Innovate Magazine feature on Tracy Harrison from Safe and Sound.

The CEO of Safe and Sound which supports children, young people and their families whose lives have been affected by child exploitation, has detailed her official retirement.

Tracy Harrison, who took up the role in May 2019, is set to leave her post on 11th October 2026, leaving behind an organisation that has grown significantly in its reach, services and presence across Derby and Derbyshire.

A former Derbyshire Police Superintendent with extensive experience in safeguarding, Tracy joined Safe and Sound with a determination to ensure that children and young people affected by exploitation had somewhere to turn and that their families received the support they needed too.

Since then, she has led Safe and Sound through a period of considerable development.

The charity’s work has evolved beyond its original focus on child sexual exploitation to respond to the increasingly complex challenges facing children and young people, including criminal exploitation, county lines, online harm, grooming, unsafe relationships, coercion, violence and radicalisation.

Under Tracy’s leadership, family support, therapeutic services, outreach, youth activities, community engagement, education and training have all become important parts of Safe and Sound’s wider approach to protecting children and strengthening families.

One of the most significant milestones of her tenure has been securing and developing Melbourne House at 8 Bold Lane, Safe and Sound’s permanent city centre home.

The building has been transformed into a dedicated hub where children and young people can receive one-to-one and therapeutic support, families can access guidance, professionals can undertake training and community partners can work together to help prevent exploitation.

Safe and Sound has also strengthened its presence within local communities, including through its Osmaston Community Hub at Cotton Lane, providing activities, family support and opportunities for children, young people and residents to connect.

The scale and impact of the charity’s work today can be seen in its latest Annual Report. During 2025-26, Safe and Sound supported 320 children and young people through direct specialist casework, as well as 58 families through dedicated family support.

Tracy said: “I have had an incredible seven years at Safe and Sound and want to thank everyone who has supported the charity, and me personally, throughout that journey. I am incredibly proud of how Safe and Sound has grown and developed during that time, but most importantly, of the difference we have been able to make to the lives of children, young people and their families across Derby and Derbyshire.

“None of what we have achieved would have been possible without the dedication of our fantastic team, trustees, volunteers, ambassadors, partners and supporters. There are so many people who have played a part in making Safe and Sound what it is today, and I am enormously grateful to every one of them.

“We have a fantastic team who I know will continue to transform young people’s lives for years to come. It has been a real privilege to lead Safe and Sound, and although it will be difficult to say goodbye, I leave incredibly proud of everything we have achieved together and with many very happy memories of my time with the charity.”

Throughout her time as CEO, Tracy has also been a prominent advocate for greater awareness and understanding of child exploitation, working with statutory organisations, businesses, schools, community groups and other charities to ensure safeguarding remains a shared responsibility.

She has championed partnership working and helped develop a network of corporate supporters, volunteers, ambassadors and fundraisers whose contributions have enabled Safe and Sound to extend its reach and impact.

Adam Buss, Vice Chair of Trustees at Safe and Sound, said: “I have been privileged to work alongside Tracy as a trustee since she started at Safe and Sound. During that time, she has been exceptional, ensuring the charity has a sustainable future and increasing the reach and depth of our engagement with some of the most vulnerable young people in the city and beyond.

“Tracy is more than just a leader, she is an inspiration to staff, trustees and everyone we work with. Tracy’s retirement comes at a time when Safe and Sound is at its strongest, and that is testament to everything she has achieved. Quite simply, Tracy will be missed, but she leaves our new CEO, with a brilliant platform to build from.”

Mark Richardson, Chair of Trustees at Safe and Sound, said: “Since the day I joined Safe and Sound, Tracy’s enthusiasm and passion for what she does have shone through. Her relentless drive to take the charity forward has helped Safe and Sound to expand their services and support to young people at risk of exploitation, operating not only from our permanent new home in Derby City Centre, but also from our hub at Cotton Lane and beyond. I have really enjoyed working with her and it has certainly been eventful! Tracy should be immensely proud of what she has achieved.”

Although Tracy will step down as CEO on 11th October 2026, the work she has helped develop will continue, with Safe and Sound remaining committed to protecting children, supporting families and strengthening communities across Derby and Derbyshire.

Details about the charity’s future leadership will be announced in the coming days.