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. 

Mike Cuthbertson

Pragmatic, Creative, Entrepreneur  

Mike Cuthbertson worked as a professional musician upon leaving Newcastle Polytechnic, later joining quango English Industrial Estates in 1978 developing letting and managing commercial property. Mike became a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors before working in local government at Stockton Council and North Yorkshire County Council, later moving into the Private Sector with Lamb & Edge, where he ran the firm’s Commercial Agency Department.  Mike is driven by a keen interest in the environment, conservation and sustainability.

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.

Danielle Turton

Motivated, Empathetic, Story-Teller

Danielle is Head of Communications Europe for Siemens Energy, focussing on media relations and employee engagement. She spends a lot of her time telling stories about the importance of clean, sustainable energy and crucially shining a light on the amazing people who keep the lights on. Danielle leads a team of 15 communicators based all over Europe and is passionate about diversity. Before joining Siemens (now Siemens Energy) she worked for the Department of Health, Corus and Newcastle-based firm, Kilfrost in a variety of corporate communications roles. Danielle has a two-year old son and when she isn’t working enjoys hosting wine and cheese parties, yoga and travel.

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.

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.