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! - 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! - Damian Pocknell
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Damian's 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! - Jacqueline Hallam
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One of the newest additions to our Board, Jacqueline has spent many years in HR retail in several different countries. As well as being involved with Community Links, she also has other voluntary roles and is a Chartered Member of CIPD.
How or why did you end up being a Trustee at Community Links?
I have been a school governor/chair of governors for many years and wanted to contribute in another sector. I have recently decided to work part time and this has released more time for me to make the commitment being a trustee would require. I have a particular interest in health & wellbeing and Community Links was a good fit for this.
What is the best thing about Community Links?
The organisation’s commitment to place their clients’ needs at the heart of everything they do.
Tell us a little about your career...
I worked for 36 years in a variety of HR generalist and specialist roles for Marks & Spencer plc across the UK as well as in Dublin and Warsaw. Following a short career break I decided to return to the world of work and am currently a HR Business Partner for the Co-op.
What are your particular areas of interest/specialisms?
I would say I am a highly skilled business leader used to working in fast paced, customer focussed environments. I am a strong decision maker, while being pragmatic and adaptable. I am particularly experienced in leading successful transformational change. I am a Chartered Member of CIPD and have a particular interest in workplace mediation and NLP. I am also a trustee for University of Derby Students Union.
What inspires/motivates you?
I need to able to in a position where I can operate with honesty and integrity which are my core values. I have high personal standards and value this in others expecting 100% commitment. I need to feel I am making a difference and adding value, I want to be able to “give back” as not everyone is as fortunate to have the same experiences & opportunities. I want to support those that need it most and don’t always feel they are being heard.
Tell us a little known fact about yourself
I am not a thrill seeker in the slightest but I do like to ride a jet ski and drive a power boat. - Cornelle Parker
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Cornelle is a new member of the Board and has a background in medicine. She is currently a consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology, a Deputy Medical Director at an acute hospital trust and a senior examiner for the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
How or why did you end up being a Trustee at Community Links?
As a physician who looks after patients with physical health issues I have been interested for many years in the overlap between mental and physical health. I have been looking for the opportunity to become a trustee of a mental health charity and a chance conversation with the chair, Karl Milner prompted me to apply.
What is the best thing about Community Links?
I am impressed by the very strong focus on inclusivity and diversity. Community Links is recognised as a Stonewall Diversity Champion and number 9 in the Inclusive Top 50 UK employers. I am passionate about promoting a more diverse workforce and fostering inclusivity in our client population. I firmly believe that greater diversity encourages innovation, helps recruitment and retention of staff and leads to a more effective organisation.
Tell us a little about your career…
I graduated in Medicine from the University of Liverpool and have been practising as a doctor for nearly thirty years. I am a consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology and Deputy Medical Director at an acute hospital trust. I am also a senior examiner for the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. My professional focus is increasingly on clinical leadership development.
What are your particular areas of interest/specialisms?
I am interested in the delivery of high quality care and co-designing services with clients. I also have an interest and expertise in all aspects of workforce which is our most valuable resource including recruitment, retention, well-being and valuing our staff.
What inspires/motivates you?
Being around people who are passionate about what they do, linked to strong personal values and translating this to high quality, person-centred care.
Tell us a little known fact about yourself
Early in my career I spent nearly two years backpacking around the world visiting five continents. An amazing life experience and an opportunity to experience a wide range of cultures and make many new friends.