The Groundwork CLM Board provides a unique mix of different skills, expertise, personalities and backgrounds. In addition to their extensive knowledge, network of contacts and influence, each board member shares the Groundwork values.
Throughout their careers they have demonstrated a commitment to changing lives and changing places. It means that Groundwork CLM is well placed to deliver its plans to develop services and increase the number of people and organisations it works with over the next 5 years.
Tracy Fishwick (Chair)
Tracy had a 20 year career in local government leading the employment, skills and social inclusion agendas at both borough and sub-regional levels before founding Transform Lives Company, a social enterprise based in Liverpool. She is passionate about creating asset-based solutions to connect unemployed people with opportunities for greater economic and social inclusion. As co-founder of the People’s Powerhouse, Tracy’s wider work across the North seeks to amplify peoples’ voices to democratise decision-making and create new ways for people and power to connect. Tracy has been a Board Director and trustee for a range of social enterprises, charities and forums and was awarded an OBE for services to unemployed people in the North West in 2020.
Siân Jay
Siân has worked in the public and voluntary sectors for over 30 years, with senior roles in equality, cohesion and engagement, She has been a Board Member at Groundwork since 2013 and is currently Director of Social Re:Focus, which helps social organisations to change and grow. Siân is an Adviser to the Big Lottery’s Big Local programme and currently serves as Chair of West Lancs CVS.
P
aul Roots
Paul works for the Environment Agency as a Senior Advisor on Environment and Business. Paul has advised government on designing sustainability into economic development programmes and has worked alongside northwest local decision makers on the allocation of European structural funds. He is experienced in and passionate about protecting the environment and supporting social enterprise. Whilst at the EA, he has developed environmental projects that provide young people with stepping stones into employment and created opportunities for social enterprises to deliver asset maintenance contracts. Paul joined the Groundwork CLM Board in 2015.
Philip Hargreaves
Philip has worked in the corporate finance arena for over 40 years. He has wide-ranging experience in dealing with SMEs and larger businesses supporting their business development and financing needs. Philip currently heads up the Growth Company’s Access to Finance team, which provides free to access support to SME’s based in Greater Manchester and Lancashire who are seeking debt and equity funding to grow their businesses. Philip has experience of developing and managing ERDF contracts and other public sector funds. Philip says – “Fundraising in the current marketplace is often complex, requiring time and specialist understanding of all the available options. Putting the right finance in place, at the right time, can mean the difference between success and failure.”
Chris Wilkinson
Chris is Head of Research and Analysis at Homes England, an agency of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. An experienced economic development analyst, he provides research and insight to inform the organisation’s ongoing mission to deliver regeneration and new homes and communities for England, as well as leading the agency’s impact evaluation programme to better understand the effects of its interventions. He is also passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion and Chairs the agency’s LGBT+ and allies staff network. Before joining Homes England, Chris spent several years working as a consultant for local and central government clients, and organisations in the private and third sectors. His focus was on supporting clients to learn lessons from the delivery of their projects and programmes, as well as understanding their impact and making the case for new investments. Chris holds an MA in Urban Regeneration and Development, a BA in Geography, and is a Chartered Surveyor.
Raj Medtia
Raj Medtia is a Marketing Manager at Deloitte, Global Risk Advisory. Leading the Sustainability & Climate offering, she draws on her cross-industry leadership experience to make an impact.
Raj is an innovative marketer who has honed her skills within the fast-changing digital landscape, across North America, Asia, and Europe. She specialises in digital and strategic marketing and emphasises the importance of continuous development. Her expertise is backed by academia, practice, and the Chartered Institute of Marketing, making her a driving force for responsible marketing practice.
Tolu Omideyi
Tolu has a 20-year career in Environmental Management and Sustainability and is a Chartered Environmentalist with the Society for the Environment and a full member of the Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment. She has a broad range of experience in the private, public and third sector and now supports and advises SMEs placing green technology and services on the market on their growth strategies at the GC Business Growth Hub. Tolu is passionate about the mission of the Trust and its social and environmental impact.
Fiona Reynolds
Having initially set off for a career in journalism, Fiona was distracted fairly soon on this pathway and decided that working in health would be far more interesting. She has worked in Public Health for 20 years: 18 of them in them in the Northwest of England. After taking time out to travel in 2019, as sustainably as possible, but interrupted by the Covid pandemic in 2020; she is back in the Northwest working as a Programmes Director with the regional Office of Health Improvement and Disparities.
Her role is providing strategic support to the health and social care response to the pandemic and leading on sustainability.
Paul Booth
Paul has had a 30 year career with senior roles in social housing and non-profit sectors, including with Riverside, Groundwork and Fusion21. He has run numerous programmes in employment and training, social action and environmental improvement across the UK. His experience also includes leadership of grant making foundations. Paul is currently a full-time carer with a passion for supporting charities which change the lives of others and make big environmental impacts.
Brendan Flanagan
Brendan retired from a position as Head of Rural and Cultural Economy at Cheshire East Council in 2023 after a long career in Local Government. He has a track record of achievement in visitor economy and attractions management, landscape management/green infrastructure, culture and heritage, rural issues and nature-based solutions for climate change. As well as the Groundwork board, he is on the World Heritage Site Steering Group for Jodrell Bank, and continues to provide support/advice on projects for selected culture/heritage and environmental organisations.
In June 2023 he received the High Sheriff’s Award for his contribution to the communities of Cheshire and was also highly commended by the Cheshire Agricultural Society Capesthorne Cup Committee in February 2024 for ‘exceptional endeavours in promoting the interests of agriculture and countryside-related activities in the County of Cheshire’.