GOVERNANCE

Chair – Diana Pearce

Constructive, Inquisitive, Organised

Diana had a long career in Central Government, developing policies for housing, planning and regeneration and delivering strategic results in a complex networking environment. She also sits on the Board of Groundwork North East and Cumbria. Diana currently lives in County Durham where she gardens for wildlife, enjoys the natural environment, and is passionate about the interplay between humanity and the planet’s eco-systems throughout our history.

Sian Broadhurst

Optimistic, Open-minded, Resourceful

Sian leads a team in the Strategy Delivery Unit at Durham University, providing a range of services to make change happen including a portfolio management function, project delivery support, and business improvement activities. Sian previously worked for Newcastle City Council, with a particular focus on devolution and public sector reform. Her early career was focussed on community engagement and development and outside of work, Sian likes to get out for walks and spends weekends pottering in the garden. 

James Craft

Purposeful, Inclusive, Transformational 

James Craft is the Chief Executive of TEDCO Business Support, delivering impactful business support programmes across South Tyneside and the wider North East. With over 15 years of experience in the business support sector, James has built his career championing entrepreneurship and driving inclusive economic growth across the region. His leadership is defined by a deep commitment to community, innovation, and creating opportunities for all.

Since taking on the role, James has led TEDCO’s return to its South Tyneside roots, a strategic move that reflects his belief in staying closely connected to the communities TEDCO serves. He is passionate about shaping a positive workplace culture where every voice is heard, every contribution is valued, and people feel genuinely empowered to thrive.

Jeff Owen

Enthusiastic, Thorough, Professional

Jeff’s involvement with Groundwork started in 2000 through his role as Director of Finance and Administration at Safeway’s UK Finance operation based in South Shields. Before joining Groundwork as an employee, Jeff worked in Finance Outsourcing, including a role as a Director within PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and senior executive within Aon Hewitt. Although now fully retired Jeff continues as Treasurer of the Groundwork Board, Chairman of Windmill Board and a member of The Beacon Board. In his spare time Jeff enjoys hill walking and overseas travel.

Stephen Brand

Reliable, Humorous, Caring

Stephen is originally from the Tyne and Wear but left the area to study at Manchester University where he gained a degree in Mathematics. Stephen relocated to south east England where he lived and worked for over 40 years within Information Technology, managing business projects for the financial services sector.
Following his retirement Stephen pursued his first love and became a Mathematics tutor, both privately and as a volunteer within local schools. Upon moving back to the north east in 2019, Stephen began to support our Route 2 Work College as a Mathematics tutor and subsequently joined our Board of Trustees. His other interests include cycling and music, where he runs the Durham U3A Music Appreciation Group.

Jamilah Hassan

Loving, Loud, Enthusiastic

Jamilah was born and raised in Jarrow, South Tyneside. She has a BA Hons in Public Relations from Sunderland University and is currently Community Relations Manager for Banks Group. Leading discussions with local MPs, Senior Officers & Members and Local Ward Cllrs at various Council’s, Jamilah’s role also focuses on ensuring all engagement with local residents is at the forefront of every development. Alongside this, Jamilah manages project community funds actively looking for community groups and organisations who may be eligible for funding. 

When not working at Banks, Jamilah is a musician and model for Tyne Tees Modelling agency. Having opened for Nelly, JLS, Lemar, Tinie Tempah and Jocelyn Brown, Jamilah was picked as ‘BBC Introducing Top Tips’, Chosen as ‘Vodafone’s Future Breakers’ and most recently performed at The MOBO Fringe Festival.

Daniel O’Mahoney

Approachable, Open-minded, Tolerant

Daniel has a 40-year career in the public relations industry, representing a vast range of clients in the Private, Public and Third Sectors. His primary purpose is to make his clients famous, with a focus on shaping and sharpening the messages they wish to communicate to key target audiences, be they customers, suppliers, staff, investors, the community and the media.

Councillor Stephen Dean

Loyal, Trustworthy, Amiable

Before appointment to Labour Councillor in 2018, Stephen had a long career as a Quantity Surveyor and contract managed both, housing and civil engineering projects. This former work experience has proved useful in the role of Councillor and as a member of the Board of Trustees for Groundwork South and North Tyneside. When Stephen is not working he enjoys being involved with his local football teams and has been Chair of South Shields Sunday Football League and founder of the Jarrow branch of the Sunderland Supporters Association, of which he has been Secretary of for 43 years.

Andrew Thurston

Experienced, Committed, Dependable

Andrew is an experienced trustee with 35 years’ management experience across the public, private and voluntary sectors including posts with the East Midlands Development Agency and as CEO of Lincolnshire Enterprise, delivering the Agency’s agenda in the County. It was during this time that he developed a passion to promote the regeneration and reinvigoration of “left behind” communities and the environment in which they live. Andrew is a member of the Institute for Economic Development and is currently Chair of Groundwork North East & Cumbria and a trustee of the Groundwork Federation.

Gillian Symington

Experienced, Committed, Dependable

Gillian has more than 20 years’ experience in marketing and communications within education, children’s services, SaaS and manufacturing. She has experience leading teams to optimise multi-channel communications, customer journeys and achieve organisational goals. Gillian is passionate about people and customer experience.

Andy Whittaker

Andrew has been a member of the Board for over 10 years. During this time, he has worked for South Tyneside Local Authority as a Corporate Lead for Town Centres and Foreshore, with a remit including Town Centre Management, Markets, Beach Cleansing and Regeneration. Andy has supported Groundwork South and North Tyneside for several years in helping us deliver our charitable aims via collaboration with the Local Authority.

Jeremy Cripps

Jeremy has 43 years’ experience of social care work with children and families as a practitioner, manager and senior manager in charities and Local Authorities. He worked across all partners at a strategic level to influence and manage change. Through his work, Jeremy has detailed knowledge of the landscape for the voluntary sector and of the national and regional policy agenda for children and families. He also has knowledge and experience of the role of trustee in voluntary organisations and former chair of governors of a large primary school. Jeremy joined the GWSANT Board in Feb 2022.

Susan Wear

Susan currently runs Southbank Communications, an independent communications consultancy. Her professional career at board level has covered strategy in marketing, engagement and business development in diverse national sectors including renewable energy, automotive, ports & maritime, city regeneration and travel & tourism; leading and managing teams to deliver change and efficiency.  She is a Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear and has served for many years as a trustee and board member of several organisations particularly in community, education and the arts.

Andrew Woods

Andrew is an experienced Senior Curator with a demonstrated history of working in the museums and heritage sector. Passionate about collections and research, particularly the possibilities that they offer to communicate with the public. Research background with specialism in Archaeology, Numismatics and the Viking Age.

Andrew works for Yorskhire Musuems as Senior Curator that includes leading a team who care for and share the Yorkshire Museum’s designated, nationally-significant collections of Archaeology, Biology, Geology and Numismatics. The role involves representing the museum internally and externally as well as leading on partnerships.

Richard Lee

Richard is a successful technology entrepreneur, a native North-Easterner with a passion for growth and success. He has worked in technology businesses for over a decade from start-up to scale-up and exit. Richard is currently semi-retired but passionate about helping organisations achieve their ambitions. Always pushing the boundaries to over-deliver exceptional products, experiences and services that are commercially successful while scaling and growing an organisation. 

I’m often told I think differently to others, which I harness providing insight and challenge to enable clear decision making. My indirect experience of working in communications proves useful to steer organisations through difficult changes.