Board of Trustees

David Gelsthorpe (Chair)

David is Chief Executive at Collections Trust, a charity which helps museums work with the information that connects audiences and collections. Collections Trust holds internationally used collections management standards and is an Arts Council funded sector support organisation.

David was Curator of Earth Science Collections at Manchester Museum for nineteen years and was previously Chair of the Arts Council England Museums Accreditation Panel. He has a PhD in palaeontology and first got to know Your Trust when working as a partner on the Dippy on Tour exhibition and programme.

Zulf Ali

Details and photo to follow

Justin Axon

Justin’s broad and varied career spans early years childcare settings, including nurseries, playgroups, and preschools, through to primary, secondary, and post-16 education, as well as evening, weekend, and school holiday activity provision. His work reflects a deep commitment to creating accessible, inclusive, and sustainable opportunities for all children and young people with SEND.

In addition to his role at Redwood, Justin is an independent SEND consultant (Justin Axon Training & Consultancy Ltd), supporting organisations to become more inclusive and accessible in their practice, environments, and service delivery. He is a strong, creative, and conscientious professional who draws upon his extensive background to foster meaningful relationships, deliver impact, and drive long-term improvement.

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 (Vice Chair)

Gillian Bishop is an experienced and highly skilled leader working across the public, private and charitable sectors over the past 30 years. She has extensive experience of leading large scale change, improvement and transformation within organisations, systems and places. Gillian has held Chief Executive and senior Executive positions in local government, central government, public-private partnerships and charities.

Gillian is currently Chief Executive of North West Employers (NWE), an organisation  which is part of the NW local government community and owned by the 36 Local Authorities and 2 Combined Authorities in the NW. She leads the organisation to build a stronger and more connected public sector in the NW, creating a region that has the capacity and capability to grow, respond to and deliver in the ever changing policy context.

She is also an experienced Board member and Non –Executive Director. She holds roles on Local Authority Trading Companies, Charities, and Health Bodies using her experience, skills and expertise to support the growth and development of these organisations.

Gillian is a qualified Executive and Team coach and an experienced facilitator of senior teams and Executive Boards.

Gillian is active in her local community as a qualified volunteer swimming teacher at her local swimming club, safeguarding lead for two parish churches, and volunteering with coaching support to the local football team.

Councillor Adam Branton

Adam Branton is the elected member of Rochdale Borough Council representing Wardle, Shore, and West Littleborough. An entrepreneur in the educational industry, Adam has developed apps, songs, and a private tutoring business that serve the next generation of children.

With over 12 years of experience as a senior leader and classroom teacher in primary education, Adam has a robust background in educational management. He is skilled in assessment, educational technology, English, and strategic planning. Adam holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Leicester.

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.

Celia Makin-Bell

Celia has 30 years experience of working in the arts and cultural sector.

She is Head of Trusts and Foundations and Diversity Lead at Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.  Prior to this, she was Managing Director of Attitude is Everything, a national charity which aims to improve deaf and disabled people’s access to music and live events and has also worked for Arts Council England and Manchester-based SICK! Festival in senior roles.

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.

Keith Maddock

Keith is a retired leisure professional with nearly 40 years experience working in the leisure industry.

His most recent role was as the Director of Neighbourhood and Wellbeing for LiveWire Warrington Community Interest Company. Prior to that he managed Leisure Centres across Warrington.

Driven by providing high quality local services that residents are able to enjoy and to encourage participation in a range of opportunities in order to promote a healthy lifestyle.

His goals will be to support people across Rochdale with services providing innovative programmes that provide maximum health benefits and access to learning.

He enjoys swimming and is keen to support the swim academy that provides an essential life skill that everyone should have the opportunity to learn.

Keith played a key role working in partnership with Education, Cheshire Police and local churches providing a range of evening activities for young adults.

Councillor Paul O’Neill

Details and photo to follow

William Purser

William is a passionate advocate for community, opportunity, and the power of sport to transform lives. Professionally, he has held senior roles across sales, operations and consultancy, working with businesses and organisations in the sport and leisure sectors to improve systems, drive engagement, and deliver sustainable growth. He currently leads Purser Consultancy, supporting clients with strategy, digital transformation, and community development.

A former minor county cricketer, William’s sporting journey has taken him across the world, including a coaching and playing experience in Perth, Western Australia. He has most recently represented England at over-40 level. His lifelong involvement in grassroots sport, combined with a strong commitment to inclusion and local partnerships, underpins everything he does. William brings energy, insight, and a people-first approach to the Your Trust Board.

Councillor Sameena Zaheer (Labour)

Sameena is Labour Councillor on Rochdale Borough Council.