Governance
Community Links (Northern) Ltd is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales, no. 1657652. Charity Commission Registered No. 514779.
The organisation is overseen by a Board of Trustees.
- Karl Milner
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Karl is our Chair of Trustees. He is currently Director at Project Rome (commercial strategy and communications), having previously worked as an Executive Director at the Northern Health Science Alliance, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust (the largest Hospital in Europe) and the Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Health Authority.
How or why did you end up being a Trustee at Community Links?
I was asked to consider being a Trustee. I liked the ethos and was looking to do something worthwhile so I applied.
What is the best thing about Community Links?
The quality of the services and the ethos.
Tell us a little about your career…
I started off in politics, spent some time as a partner of a financial public relations firm, Finsbury Financial, moved home to work as communications director in the NHS and specifically in an Acute setting. I’m now a Director at Project Rome commercial strategy and communications,
What are your particular areas of interest/specialisms?
Professionally I’m currently obsessed by crowd-sourcing methodologies and meta-data and the possibilities these open. Personally I love sport especially cricket, football and Rugby League.
What inspires/motivates you?
People and their stories inspire me. People who play a meaningful part in their community - who give something back to those around them. If they happen to have done so against the odds then I’m in tears! That guy who stood up minutes after his lad had been killed in the Birmingham riots and
told the crowd to go home so no more sons would be lost – that’s a hero.
Tell us a little known fact about yourself
I was Yorkshire Chess Champion a long, long time ago and for the last 12 months I’ve been trying unsuccessfully to get my ranking points back up to international standing again – oh well the joy is in the journey! - Cielo Cartwright
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Cielo is a chartered accountant and is looking forward to bringing her experience of financial processes and business development to Community Links.
How or why did you end up being a Trustee at Community Links?
I was looking for an opportunity to put my finance and business experience to help the local community and came across Community Links in the national press.
What is the best thing about Community Links?
I am impressed by the charity’s quiet enthusiasm and professional outlook, the desire to do what’s right for the service user and the public funder. A good combination of “heart” and “mind”.
Tell us a little about your career…
I’m a chartered accountant by training and have spent over twenty years in diverse industries in the commercial private sector, including a major accountancy firm, listed companies and owner managed businesses.
What are your particular areas of interest/specialisms?
Business strategy development, commerciality, financial processes and controls.
What inspires/motivates you?
I am struck by the human capacity for endurance in the face of adversity. In particular, mental health sufferers are often isolated and have an uphill struggle against ignorance and prejudice. Their plight deserves recognition. An organisation like Community Links has a pivotal role in providing support for mental health in the local community.
Tell us a little known fact about yourself
I think I can call myself a global citizen, having been schooled in four continents! - David Strachan
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David is a partner of a Yorkshire-based law firm and joined our Management Committee in September 2015. His specialisms are corporate law and all business management issues related to this.
How or why did you end up being a Trustee at Community Links?
I have been aware of Community Links for many years. I met the previous Chief Executive of Community Links through the community organisation Leeds Cares. I was Chairman of Leeds Cares at the time and became Jon’s mentor. I was appointed to the Community Links Board of Trustees in September 2015.
What is the best thing about Community Links?
It is a very well-run organisation which offers an excellent standard of care to its service users. Although it is a not for profit organisation it still has to operate as a business and is structured accordingly. I have found it to be very efficient organisation, staff are very passionate about what they do and really believe in and promote the ethos of the organisation.
Tell us a little about your career…
I have been based in Leeds throughout my career as a corporate lawyer. I am currently a partner in Schofield Sweeney, a Yorkshire-based law firm. I advise organisations and companies on a wide range of business matters such as acquisitions/disposals, joint ventures, fundraising, corporate governance and contracting issues. I have been with Schofield Sweeney since May 2008. Before that I was a partner at Eversheds (law firm) for 19 years.
What are your particular areas of interest/specialisms?
Corporate law. I am interested in how businesses are run, particularly so far as governance and legal compliance is concerned and I can help with these issues. I wish to help ensure that the business model works – the organisation has to win contracts, perform well and hit certain criteria specified within these contracts whilst generating successful outcomes within a set budget. I have a wealth of experience of different charitable organisations, having been a past Chairman of a local Round Table branch, a former Governor of Moorlands School and a former Chairman of Leeds Cares. I am currently a Governor or Sedbergh School. Personal interests include a love of most sports and outdoor pursuits, particularly rugby union, tennis and fell walking.
What inspires/motivates you?
I like to feel I’m giving value and improving things. I have a high level of pride in what I do and want to help to produce a good outcome and offer something which contributes either to the individual or to society in general. I want to be able to “give back” by offering support/advice based on my knowledge and experience of business matters, which is why I have been involved in many different charitable organisations.
Tell us a little known fact about yourself
Where to start! I have 6 children – all boys! I’m a member of the Towton Battlefield Society and I’m very interested in 15th century British history and modern European history. If I had to appear on Mastermind these would definitely be my chosen topics! - Fawzia Mir
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Development Officer Fawzia has worked and volunteered in the third sector for over 30 years. She is currently a Development Officer for a housing based support organisation.
How or why did you end up being a Trustee at Community Links?
I was invited to join the Management Commitee following a recommendation from Donna Gooby who I had worked with previously.
What is the best thing about Community Links?
The way they always have the interest of the service user at the heart of everything they do.
Tell us a little about your career…
I am currently a Development Officer for a housing based support organisation in the North of England. I am also a freelance trainer & consultant. Previous to this I was the Director of an employment law advice service. In addition to volunteering on CL’s board I am also a volunteer befriender to an older person in my area. I have volunteered and worked in the voluntary and community sector for over 30 years and have been actively involved in community empowerment and racial justice work throughout this time. I was a founder member and Chair of Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange and WomenZone Community Centre, Bradford.
What are your particular areas of interest/specialisms?
I am particularly interested in community empowerment issues to create a more equal society where people’s differences are respected and valued. My specialisms include empowering disengaged and disempowered individuals to articulate their needs and become engaged in issues that matter to them and impact on them. I also have a strong track record in fundraising.
What inspires/motivates you?
I am motivated to speak out against injustice and the need to play my small part in creating a fair and just world.
Tell us a little known fact about yourself
I climbed Penn y Ghent. I am a professional henna hand-painting artist. I also love Segway riding! - Jane Worrell
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Jane is a career civil servant who works for Acas as an Equality Consultant. She is a qualified trainer and has worked extensively with issues around Equality & Diversity.
How or why did you end up being a Trustee at Community Links?
I got involved with Community Links because I was leading a Yorkshire Forward project on Equality and Diversity, and joined a group that used to meet at Community Links Head Office in Chapel Allerton. My interest in mental health and my role at Acas were factors in me being invited to join the Management Committee.
What is the best thing about Community Links?
Hard to pick one thing, but there is an energy and a commitment to do the best for service users that is very infectious. The ethics of the organisation really shine through in every area of work.
Tell us a little about your career...
A career civil servant, I joined the Department of Employment in 1980 as a Management Trainee. My jobs included Jobcentre Manager (three separate Jobcentres), Regional Staff Training Manager and HR Policy Lead. In 1995 I transferred to Acas where I’ve been a Conciliation Manager, a Senior Adviser and a Diversity Lead. I was seconded to Leeds and York Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust as Diversity Manager for 15 months back in 2006/2008, and have also worked extensively with the EFQM Excellence Model. I currently work for our Head Office (Acas National) as an Equality Consultant, looking at how Acas can ensure it is a fair and inclusive place to work. I’m also a Trustee of Harrogate Housing Association [formerly Harrogate Families Housing Association], and have been there for around 6 years.
What are your particular areas of interest/specialisms?
As my career history indicates, I’ m interested in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. I also have an interest in Employee Engagement, and have done lots of training and facilitating groups. I have some knowledge of employment law, and certainly know quite a bit about good practice in employment matters.
What inspires/motivates you?
I'm pretty passionate about fair play, which is why equality is so important to me. Camaraderie and the sense of all being in something together for a good cause is motivational.
Tell us a little known fact about yourself
I adore dogs (although I suppose most people know that about me) and support a rescue centre in Spain that saves Spanish hunting dogs/Galgos and enables them to be sent to the UK, USA and other countries in Europe for re-homing. - Anne Worrall-Davies
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Anne has a vast amount of operational and strategic experience from within the NHS at local, regional and national level and now works in various advisory roles in the Health and Social Care sector.
How or why did you end up being a Trustee at Community Links?
I am planning to leave the NHS later this year and was looking for an opportunity to use my clinical operational and strategic experience across a wider footprint. I’ve worked with the Community Links aspire service clinically, and been impressed by the person-centred, recovery-oriented model of work. So when I saw the trustee role advertised, I jumped at the chance to join Community Links!
What is the best thing about Community Links?
I have always been impressed by the enthusiasm of Community Links staff to deliver a person-centred service, and by how much everyone who works for the organization enjoys their work.
Tell us a little about your career...
After many years of operational and strategic experience in the NHS at local, regional and national level, I’ve recently extended my career to encompass Non-Executive Director roles. I work part-time as Clinical Advisor to the Children & Young People’s Mental Health Improvement Team of the Yorkshire & Humber Clinical Network, supporting providers and commissioners to deliver on the Government’s Five Year Forward Mental Health targets. I’m also a Specialist Advisor for the Care Quality Commission, joining their inspections of young people’s mental health services. I’ve contributed to setting quality standards within mental health at national level, through writing and refreshing Quality Standards for the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ College Centre for Quality Improvement.
What are your particular areas of interest/specialisms?
Ensuring that service users and carers’ voices are heard, and their views and ideas incorporated into service from the planning stage and beyond. Working with teams to achieve regulatory standards. Young people’s mental health. Working to abolish inequalities of access and treatment in mental health services.
What inspires/motivates you?
As mum to a son with autism and a learning disability, I have experience of some fantastic services. But I know first-hand that when prejudices, bureaucracy and professional preciousness come first, instead of a person-centred approach, quality goes out of the window!
Tell us a little known fact about yourself
Lots of people know I love Italy and some know I have studied Italian at evening class. Most people don't know how I came to start learning a new language. I had postnatal depression after my second son was born, and my health visitor suggested that I found myself some ‘me-time’ - an early example of “social prescribing”. I'd always wanted to learn Italian, so I "cashed in my social prescription" at Leeds City College.... and 17 years later... I'm not fluent but I can joke in Italian and swear at drivers on the Italian motorways! - Tobi Akintokun
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Tobi joined our Board of Trustees in May 2017. He has several years’ experience in social care recruitment, working with many organisations on their recruitment and retention strategies.
How or why did you end up being a Trustee at Community Links?
I was looking for an opportunity to use my expertise to give back in the community and a good friend told me about the opportunity to serve at Community Links. I am passionate about the social care sector and the opportunity to work with an organisation whose values are close to mine and will hopefully add value to everyone involved.
What is the best thing about Community Links?
People are doing things for the right reasons and the passion can be seen in what they do and how they communicate.
Tell us a little about your career…
I worked as a care and support worker in various settings with adults and children whilst I studied Biochemistry and Pharmacology at the University of Leeds. I started working in social care recruitment immediately after university, I currently work as a Director within the same organisation I started my social care recruitment career in overseeing business development, operations, quality and compliance of our recruitment services provision as well as aspects of our internal recruitment for our homecare division.
What are your particular areas of interest/specialisms?
Over the last decade I have worked with many organisations on their recruitment and retention strategies; fine tuning and finding out the best methods to recruit and retain the best candidates on the social care market. Encompassing methods used in the USA where organisations are successfully recruiting and retaining care givers has been a recent initiative which has proven to work very well.
What inspires/motivates you?
I believe that with the right attitude and direction people can achieve anything they set their mind to. Seeing people work hard on their personal development and go on to achieve better results is what motivates and inspires me.
Tell us a little known fact about yourself
I like to play tennis and I assist with sound engineering at my local church RCCG EFA - Damian Pocknell
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Damian is a new member of our board whose specialisms are business development and supported housing development. He has been a Trustee for various specialist mental health charities since 2003.
How or why did you end up being a Trustee at Community Links?
After recently moving back to Yorkshire I was very keen to find a charity that not only provided award winning services but was also recognised as a great employer, Community Links is such an organisation.
What is the best thing about Community Links?
Their passion for putting clients at the centre of everything they do!
Tell us a little about your career…
After nearly 20 years working for a variety of specialist providers across the social care field, from the front line through to senior management, I now run my own business providing consultancy services to charities and care & support providers in respect of business development and supported housing development.
I am also very pleased to have had the pleasure of working on the boards of some great specialist mental health charities over the past 14 years and look forward to continuing that pleasure as a Trustee for Community Links.
What are your particular areas of interest/specialisms?
My skills and experience have enabled me to become a specialist in business development and supported housing development for charities in the care and support sector. Understandably, my strengths include: new business & organisational growth, project management, contract implementation, HR & TUPE, finance, and much more. However, at the forefront of everything I do is the viewpoint of the customer and the staff; to ensure that the customers’ needs can be met or exceeded and that the staff are enabled to achieve this.
What inspires/motivates you?
Being able to contribute in any way that I can, to the delivery of high quality person-centred services that help to improve the quality of life clients lead and that positively impact upon the local communities in which they operate.
Tell us a little known fact about yourself
I have spent nearly a month of my life underwater – scuba diving, mainly in the UK!