Union Romani Voice is led by a committed group of Roma and Romanian community leaders, professionals and activists. Together, they bring lived experience, expertise and passion to ensure Roma voices are heard, respected and represented in UK society.

Our team is driven by human rights, dignity and community-rooted leadership, and we work at the intersection of direct support, empowerment and systemic change.

Leadership

Simona Lazăr – Founder & CEO

Simona Lazăr is a Roma activist, community leader and human rights advocate. She established Union Romani Voice to build a trusted, Roma-led organisation that supports families, amplifies Roma voices, and works for systemic change in the UK. Simona holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a Master’s degree in Community Development and Project Writing, grounding her work in professional practice and community development approaches. She also completed a traineeship with the Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, where she gained valuable insight into human rights mechanisms and institutional engagement at the European level. Simona has extensive experience in community support, policy engagement and strategic planning, and has represented Roma perspectives at local, national and European forums. She is deeply committed to accountability, dignity and inclusive leadership.

Board of Trustees

Our Board ensures strong governance, ethical oversight and strategic direction for the organisation.

Vasile Macovei Chair of Trustees

Brings broad experience in nonprofit leadership and governance, supporting URV’s strategic growth.

Ciprin Avram Treasurer

A financial professional with expertise in charity finance, compliance and budgeting.

Niculina Pompas Trustee – Community Engagement

Offers insight from lived experience and grassroots advocacy, strengthening URV’s community accountability.

Operational Team

Operations & Programme Delivery

The Operational Team manages our front-line services, community programmes and local partnerships.

Nicolae Facalet Head of Operations

Leads service delivery, staff supervision and programme coordination, ensuring high standards of practice.

Adrian Stanescu, Community Support Coordinator

Works directly with families to provide advocacy, mentoring, and practical support.

Marta Lazar Education & Youth Engagement Lead

Designs and runs youth and parent engagement initiatives, including ESOL support and school transition support.

Policy, Advocacy & Rights Team

Our policy and rights team ensures Roma voices influence decision-making and public discourse.

Florentina Parvu Policy & Advocacy Officer

Leads research, submission development and engagement with local, national and European partners.

Simona Lazar, Legal & Access to Justice Lead

Coordinates strategic partnerships to support legal access, referrals and justice-related advocacy.

Community Ambassadors

Union Romani Voice works with a network of Roma community ambassadors — volunteers and leaders who bring lived experience and trusted insight.

Iubirea L Youth Ambassador

Supports students with school integration and confidence building and promotes peer support networks.

Nicoleta Family Mentor

Provides culturally informed guidance and advocacy for families navigating complex systems.

Our ambassadors are essential to our work — acting as bridges between the community and services.

Volunteers & Partners

We are grateful to our volunteers, interns, and partners who help expand our impact every day. Our network includes local authorities, schools, health services, legal advice organisations, charity partners and community groups.

Why Our Team Matters

Union Romani Voice is:

• Community-rooted: many members come from Roma backgrounds and lived experience.

• Professionally grounded: guided by safeguarding, ethical standards and human rights.

• Forward-looking: combining grassroots insight with strategic advocacy.

Together, we support families’ immediate needs and work for lasting systemic change