At the close of 2024, INHOPE faced a significant financial challenge that required immediate action. The newly elected board recognised that difficult decisions were necessary to secure the organisation’s long-term sustainability.
The first half of 2025 brought difficult changes. We made the painful decision to reduce our team size, saying goodbye to talented colleagues whose contributions we deeply valued. During this transitional period, Sebastian Fitting and I stepped in as interim Executive Directors while continuing our roles at eco and Offlimits, to support the Secretariat as they recalibrated at the start of the year.
Despite the challenges, we remained strong and focused. The second half of 2025 marked a turning point. Samantha Woolfe, our former Head of Partnerships & Network Expansion, was appointed Executive Director, bringing her expertise and deep knowledge of our network to guide INHOPE forward.
Throughout the year, the Secretariat worked tirelessly to maintain operations and support our members, even under challenging circumstances. Despite the financial and organisational pressures, the team ensured that our global hotline network continued to function effectively - sharing critical information to dismantle CSAM worldwide, training analysts, and fostering collaboration with industry, civil society, and government partners. By sustaining these vital connections, INHOPE translated our collective efforts into real-world impact, showing that even in difficult times, our mission remained unwavering.
I want to express profound gratitude to everyone who stood by us: our partners, founders, funders, and sponsors who believe in protecting children online; our member hotlines, some of whom increased their contributions to directly support our recovery; and our dedicated Secretariat team, who delivered exceptional work despite the circumstances.
As we look towards 2026, we do so with renewed confidence.
With our permanent Executive Director in place, a refreshed board, and a growing network of committed professionals across sectors, INHOPE is well-positioned to advance our mission. The challenges of 2025 have sharpened our focus and strengthened our resolve.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to build a safer internet for all.
