We are governed by a Board of Trustees who act in a voluntary capacity to oversee the management of Your Trust.
The Board set and pursue the vision, mission and values of the organisation, ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations, and supervises the Chief Executive.
Join our Board of Trustees
We’re currently seeking new Trustees that can help guide and shape the future development of our dynamic charity. We would really like to hear from people who have strong connections in their community and understand the borough of Rochdale. It is not essential to have prior Board level experience, as training will be given. For full details and to apply, please click here
David Gelsthorpe (Chair)
David is Curator of Earth Science Collections at Manchester Museum where he leads exhibitions, decolonisation work, teaching, public programmes and facilitates research on the collection. David has a PhD in palaeontology, but enjoys all aspects of museum work. He first got to know the Trust when working as a partner on the Dippy on Tour exhibition and programme.
In addition, he is a trustee of the Natural Science Collections Association (a national charity that promotes natural science collections and those who work with them) and a panel member for the Arts Council England Accreditation Panel.
Anjum Ahmed
Anjum Ahmed is an experienced business executive, fulfilling roles including Commercial Director and Marketing Director with national retailers in the consumer and the business to business sectors.
He has extensive experience in business strategy, marketing, communications, pricing, understanding consumer behaviour and digital transformation. He also has experience as a Trustee of Pensions Scheme.
Anjum was born and bought up in Rochdale and attended local schools, Castleton (Primary), Thornham (Middle) and Balderstone (High). He has a keen interest in the physical health and the benefits of exercise, with a desire to increase community participation. He enjoys running, cycling, swimming and is the Vice Captain of Rochdale Harriers running club. He also particularly enjoys the social and community aspect of Parkrun, both as a runner and volunteer.
Janice Allen
Janice Allen is Headteacher of Falinge Park High School, Rochdale.
The school is committed to community partnerships and works closely with many local place-based organisations within the voluntary and charitable sector. The school is also partnered with organisations such as Citizens UK and Robert F Kennedy Foundation and has a strong pupil voice programme who work alongside British Futures and Peace Foundation. Janice sits on the GM Race and Equality Panel, GM #Beewell, Well Schools Trust, Education team of GM VRU and represents Secondary Heads on Rochdale Safeguarding Panel and Complex Safeguarding.
Cilla Baynes
Cilla has worked for over 45 years in the arts, in the North West, London and other parts of the UK. As a first generation SE Asian immigrant, she discovered at an early age the power of creativity to help shape identity, expression and life. Cilla trained in Theatre and Drama in Education and is known for her work as a pioneer of innovative arts production with diasporic and marginalised communities
Cilla recently retired as Creative Director/CEO for the Manchester based Community Arts North West (CAN) which she co-founded in 1978 and where she went on to lead the development of one of Britain’s major refugee arts programmes, Exodus. Launched in 2005, with its diverse and sustained programmes it has been hugely influential in creating voice, expression and cultural profile for communities new to Britain.
Throughout her life time Cilla has also been involved in the creation of training and development initiatives, encouraging and supporting new generations of emerging artists and companies in the region.
Gillian Bishop
Gillian is an experienced and highly skilled leader working across the public and charitable sector over the past 25 years. She has extensive experience of leading large organisations through change, improvement and transformation within the context of austerity and public health challenges such as the current covid-19 situation.
Gillian has held Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive positions in local government with responsibility for strategic financial planning and core corporate services. She has also been Chief Executive of a large Charitable Leisure & Culture Trust and of private sector led organisations.
Gillian is currently Chief Executive of North West Employers. She is also part of the NHS Test & Trace Team, in two roles as the Regional Convenor for the NW, and as Director of Regional Partnership Teams, working to create an effective gateway between national and local government.
Gillian is a qualified Executive and Team coach and an experienced facilitator of senior teams and Executive Boards. She also holds roles on community boards, using her skills and expertise to support local activities and organisations.
Shaun Burke
Shaun is an experienced senior leader working across sport and national governing bodies for the last 12 years. He has extensive experience of strategy development and capital investment within the context of sporting and physical health. Shaun is currently the Senior Delivery Manager for the Football Foundation where he manages the Northern team to deliver the National Football facilities Strategy and help to transform communities.
In addition, he has a keen interest in promoting and playing an active role in the community and is a trustee of his local primary school, as well as a committee member of his local grassroots football club.
Chris Davison
Chris is a Manager in the Deal Advisory team with accountants KPMG.
Having trained with the firm as a Chartered Accountant, Chris has subsequently progressed to become a licensed Insolvency Practitioner, typically advising firms who encounter financial or operational issues that need to be resolved, often within high pressured timescales. Working across a range of sectors in both the public and private sector, Chris’ recent assignments include advising a North West NHS Trust regarding cash management and cost reduction plans and the restructure of a national high street retailer.
Prior to life in professional services, Chris studied Sport and Exercise Science at Loughborough University and was a national level swimmer and latterly coach at Rochdale Aquabears.
Andrea Fallon
Julia Heap
Julia is Assistant Principal Finance & Corporate Development at Hopwood Hall College where she is responsible for a range of activity including Finance, HR & Payroll, MI & IT and Marketing and Admissions.
Julia is a fully qualified and full member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and has worked in the public sector in various finance roles for nearly 20 years, mainly in Local Authorities.
In addition she has a keen interest in promoting and playing an active role in the community and has been a trustee of her local pre-school; chair of the before and after school committee and a PTA member along with other volunteering roles in local sports clubs.
Celia Makin-Bell
Celia is Managing Director of Attitude is Everything, a national charity which aims to improve deaf and disabled people’s access to music and live events.
Prior to this she delivered senior management roles for organisations including Arts Council England, Manchester-based SICK! Festival and Liverpool Philharmonic.
She also worked for 15 years as a cultural consultant and trainer specialising in interim management, research and evaluation, fundraising, organisational development, business planning and project management for the not for profit and public sectors.
Martin Walker
Martin has had a long experience of sport, arts and leisure activities, alongside extensive experience of working in the public sector, as a local authority employee.
He is a regular participant in sport, including formerly playing regular league cricket, and now competing in many runs from 5K up to marathons. He was a volunteer as a ‘Games Maker’ at the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in London, working as part of the international team.
He has experience of working on sports development, including developing the concept, funding, design and delivery of Heywood Sports Village
Councillor Rina Paolucci (Conservative)
Rina is a Conservative Councillor on Rochdale Borough Council; she is the Shadow Portfolio Holder for Planning, Development & Housing.
She has worked within the health sector for a number of years and brings this knowledge and expertise with her for the benefit of the organisation. Rina is passionate about the provision of quality leisure, arts, heritage and cultural services to the residents of the borough.
Councillor Peter Rush (Labour)
Peter is a Labour Councillor on Rochdale Borough Council and is Chair of Heywood Township.
Peter is passionate about Heywood living there for 50 years and has been involved in sport having played for Rochdale Hornets football club before becoming chair, and now he continues to be an ambassador for them.
Councillor Sameena Zaheer (Labour)
Sameena is Labour Councillor on Rochdale Borough Council.
If you have any queries regarding our Board or you wish to contact them, please click here to contact our Company Secretary