Groundwork Federation Board

Oona was appointed as Groundwork Federation Chair in September 2024 and brings a wealth of experience from central and local government, business bodies and environmental campaigns. When in Defra she designed Natural England to merge previously dispersed functions and create a more powerful voice for nature.  In the Local Government Association she supported local councils to better deliver the key environmental, social and economic services demanded by citizens. As Chief Executive of the South East England Development Agency she brought together environmental and economic growth action across businesses and communities. She is currently a fellow of Policy Connect, developing policy recommendations and campaigns including to drive the transition to net zero, and Chair of the Greening Campaign, tackling climate change at community level.

Faiza is an interdisciplinary practitioner who cares about social justice and brings together different disciplines to address complex challenges. She has over a decade of experience working across civil society, policy, and participatory research. Her work ranges from advocating for girls’ rights to education in Nepal to leading policy addressing maternal health inequalities at the Department of Health and Social Care. Faiza holds an MSc in Social Development Practice from UCL, supported by the Aziz Foundation, and has been awarded a Churchill Fellowship to explore how Islamic philanthropy can support climate action.

Karen is Chief Executive of Groundwork North Wales and its subsidiaries Wild Ground and Refurbs Flintshire and is Vice Chair of the Federation Executive Team. Karen is a CIPFA-qualified accountant, and previously served as a non-executive director on the board of Natural Resources Wales for over seven years, before taking up the role of Independent Member and Chair of the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in February 2023.  Karen is also an independent member of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s audit and risk assurance and people committees. She is the founder and trustee of the all-ability cycling charity Cycling 4 All.

Tom is Chair of Groundwork Greater Manchester. He works in politics as Chief of Staff to an MP and is also a Rochdale Councillor, where he chairs the Communities, Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Previously, Tom ran a national music charity and continues to provide advice and guidance on local, regional and national political strategy, with a particular focus on the creative industries. He is a member of the Greater Manchester Music Commission, a serial trustee and an avid amateur musician.

Phil is Chair of Groundwork East.  After a career in banking Phil entered local politics, serving on Stevenage Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council.  Prior to stepping down as a County Councillor in 2025 Phil was Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport for seven years.  Phil has been the Chair of Governors for three schools in Hertfordshire and is currently a governor at his local primary school.

Gail is Chair of Groundwork Northamptonshire.  She has had a long career in the NHS, working initially as a midwife in Kettering before moving into roles focused on risk management, quality and performance.  She spent nine years as a public governor for Kettering General Hospital Foundation Trust, supporting quality and safety and ensuring the patient’s voice is heard.

Sarah is co-chair of Groundwork Five Counties. Sarah’s career has focussed on the charity sector, where she has designed, built and delivered new services in health and social care settings across the country. With a background in community and sports development, Sarah has extensive knowledge of place based working and has expertise in building partnerships for social good. Sarah is now freelancing, supporting charities to improve their governance, strategic development and service delivery. Sarah has served on other boards, including as chair of an environmental social enterprise in Lincolnshire. She also helps out as a volunteer, planting trees in Sherwood Forest. 

Alison is Chair of Groundwork North East & Cumbria.  Alison grew up on Teesside and worked as a corporate solicitor in London and Newcastle before moving into senior roles at both Sunderland and Newcastle City Council, with responsibility for regeneration and major infrastructure projects.  She has also served as commercial director at Tees Valley Combined Authority, Teesside International Airport and University Hospitals Tees.  Alison is on the Board on Northumbria University.

John is Chair of Groundwork Wales.  A geologist and climate scientist by background, John holds a range of roles in the environmental, heritage, and social justice sectors.  He is Deputy Chair of Size of Wales and is a trustee of the National Museum of Wales and the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority.  John was a caver, fell runner, and expedition leader until a stroke at 42 brought life-changing disabilities.  As Co-Chair of Torfaen Access Forum, he has advanced inclusive access across Torfaen National Parks and NHS Wales.  Known as “the punk professor,” John is also a poet and folk-musician, linking culture, science, and community action.

Antony is Chair of Groundwork Yorkshire. Starting his professional career as an occupational therapist, he has worked in service improvement, transformation, programme management and organisational development roles in and across various public sector organisations. He has also worked as a consultant implementing change initiatives in the NHS, local authorities, public bodies and businesses. Alongside his work as an independent consultant, he is a Non-Executive Director at Wakefield District Housing, a Non-Executive Director of Heartbeat Primary Care, the General Practice Federation in Hambleton and Richmondshire, a Trustee at Nova, the Wakefield VCSE Sector umbrella organisation, and Independent Chair of two Primary Care Networks in the Northwest of England. 

Nigel is Chair of Groundwork North Wales and Chair of the Board’s Finance and Risk Committee. A chartered management accountant, he has had a long career in public service and environmental management, including 15 years as Finance Director for The Environment Agency. Before that, he had roles with Wessex Water Authority and the National Rivers Authority. Since retiring, Nigel has developed a non-executive portfolio including roles on the boards of the Marine Management Organisation, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and the Animal & Plant Health Agency. He currently chairs the Welsh Government’s Health, Social Services & Early Years Group’s Audit & Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC), and is a member of Welsh Government’s over-arching ARAC. He is also an independent member of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s ARAC and People Committee and has been appointed as JNCC ARAC’s interim chair. He combines this with a “showbiz” career as a singer at care homes and local community centres in Somerset, with all proceeds going to charity. Nigel was awarded a CBE for services to the environment in 2003.

Paul is a trustee of Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire & Merseyside. He has worked with the Environment Agency on the use of charges to fund the transformation of water industry regulation and on ways to increase investment in river catchments to improve local environments. Paul has also advised government on embedding environmental sustainability into local growth programmes. 

Anne-Marie is Chair of Groundwork West Midlands. She was formerly an independent hospitality business owner and advisor to Frontier Development Capital, an alternative investment fund management company which she supported in an initiative to drive growth in accessible home ownership. Anne-Marie has a 27 year background in public sector land, development, housing and business practice, working at a senior level within a number of Government organisations across the Midlands.

Andrew is Chief Executive of Groundwork West Midlands and chairs Groundwork’s Federation Executive Team.  He is a seasoned leader in the third sector, bringing over 25 years of experience in driving organisational and cultural transformation and serving as Chief Executive at four charities.  In addition to his role at Groundwork, Andrew serves as Chair of the NSPKU, a national charity supporting individuals affected by phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare metabolic condition.

Randip is a co-opted member of the Board and Chair of the Programmes and Partnerships Committee.  She is a senior fundraising and communications leader with over 30 years experience in the charitable sector.  Randip has built a distinguished career securing transformational income across all income streams, growing grant income, developing major donor programmes and establishing new commercial revenue streams.  

Jack is a trainee solicitor at Womble Bond Dickinson. He previously worked for Urban Green Newcastle, the charitable trust that managed Newcastle’s parks. Outside of work and studies Jack is a keen runner and volunteers weekly as a Cub leader.