How we’re run
We are governed by a Board of Trustees which has overall responsibility of our conduct and management as a charity. They set the long term strategic direction that enables us to work towards achieving our vision. You can find out more about our trustees here:
David became Chair of the Board in November 2021. His first involvement with Percy Hedley was to be the inaugural Chair of the Audit Committee in January 2013, joining as a Trustee a year later when he took over as Chair of the Finance Committee and subsequently became Vice Chair of the Board in 2018.
He is the former Managing Partner of Tait Walker LLP, one of the leading independent accounting firms in the North East. Latterly he has been concentrating on his work in forensic accounting.
He is currently the Deputy President of the Northern Society of Chartered Accountants and also sits as a Trustee of Mental Health Concern amongst his other posts.
A former rugby player, David now fills his spare time golfing, cycling and playing the saxophone whilst remaining an avid sports spectator.
Paul joined the Foundation as a Trustee in December 2019 and is currently Chair of the Finance Committee.
He has a background in finance, as a qualified accountant. Paul spent 19 years at Formica, a manufacturing business in various roles in finance, IT and operations. He left and joined PD Ports as Chief Technology Officer in December 2020.
Paul still tries to play football in his spare time. He has twins, one of which attends Percy Hedley School.
Susan joined as a Trustee in January 2014 and is also the Chair of the governing boards for both the Percy Hedley School and the Northern Counties School.
She is an experienced Finance and HR Professional. She started her career in the public sector then moved into the private sector working for a large regional IT company .
Susan enjoys fundraising for the foundation and has taken part in the fire walk, great north run, great north swim and is a keen promoter of the annual fundraising ball.
Damon joined the Foundation as a Trustee in 2015.
Damon has a property background as a chartered surveyor and is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. As a Trustee, Damon works closely with the Executive team in developing the Foundation’s accommodation strategy. Damon also Chairs the Residential Services Committee and is a member of the Finance Committee.
Damon is currently Managing Director of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust where he runs their property subsidiary business, NHFML. Prior to this, Damon was a Director of Northumbria University leading on all estate development, facilities management and commercial services activity. Damon was originally a graduate trainee with Northern Rock and has since held a number of leadership roles with Virgin Money and Grainger plc.
Away from work, Damon is kept busy with four children and his passion for Newcastle United.
Lucy joined the Foundation as a Trustee in June 2021 and is currently a member of the Finance Committee and Hedleys Horizons Committee.
Lucy is CEO of COCO (Comrades of Children Overseas) an International Charity based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Lucy has worked at COCO for 17 years, working her way up from volunteer to a position of leadership, shaping the development and direction of COCO’s fundraising, governance and project management. Her major interests are led by a passion for international relations, equality, education, development, poverty alleviation and commitment to accountability.
Lucy is a trustee for Children North East, board member at International Newcastle and sits on the Newcastle University Business School Alumni committee. Lucy is also a mentor through the Girls Network and a school governor at Fellside Primary School in Wickham.
Lucy studied Urban and Regional Geography at Sheffield Hallam University, after which she completed a Masters in Development Studies at the University of KwaZulu Natal in Durban, South Africa. In 2015 Lucy graduated from Newcastle University Business School with an MBA with distinction and was the chosen orator at the graduation ceremony.
An advocate for skill sharing and authenticity, Lucy regularly takes part in activities for COCO including trekking Mount Kilimanjaro running the Great North Run and Cycling across Maasai Land in Kenya.
Bill joined as a Trustee in July 2021 and became Vice Chair of the Board in November 2021. He is also Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and Chair of the Governance Improvement Group.
Bill has enjoyed a varied career in IT, management development, organisational change, and as a consultant developing organisation strategy, changing structures and designing internal HR development systems to support staff to achieve organisational goals.
Bill has a Doctorate in Business Administration, a Masters in Business Project Management, and a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Computing, as well as being a Chartered Engineer and a Chartered IT Professional.
In his leisure time, Bill enjoys walking, playing snooker, playing chess and developing software.
Ewen joined the Percy Hedley Foundation in February 2021 as Safeguarding Trustee and is a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.
He is an experienced senior leader in local government and the NHS. Ewen was Director of Adult Social Services and Director of Children’s Services at Newcastle City Council and a Non-Executive Director of Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust when he retired at the end of 2019.
A social worker by professional background educated at the University of Edinburgh, MA (Hons) History, Diploma in Education and M.Phil, CQSW from the University of Newcastle.
Ewen has always been passionate about equality and diversity and creating an environment where everyone is valued for the unique perspective they bring to the table.
Away from work Ewen’s hobbies include fly fishing, reading and being an active grandparent!
Anne is a qualified accountant with 30 years experience working in NHS finance, with more than 13 years post qualification experience at a senior level across a wide range of financial functions.
She was appointed as a Board Trustee at Percy Hedley Foundation as well as a governor at Hedleys College in January 2017. She is now Chair of Governors at the college.
She has a strong commitment to staff development, which began when she was Regional Scheme Manager for the NHS graduate financial management training scheme.
Anne’s interests include going to the theatre, reading and travelling to Spain.
Day-to-day management and operations are delegated to an Executive Team, which is led by our Chief Executive. You can find out more about our Executive Team here:
Tara joined the Foundation in January 2017. Her remit covers Finance, Fundraising, Estates & Facilities, IT & Technology, and Company Secretary.
She started her career as an apprentice, progressing through AAT and CIMA qualifications to become a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. Over her career, she expanded to cover operational and wider support services roles as her main focus is to drive organisation improvements and make a difference in business. She has worked in a variety of industries and companies from a small family owned business, to a national charity, to worldwide manufacturing and service organisations. She has a passion for people being the best they can be.
Tara likes to explore the UK in a campervan with her husband and son as well as cooking and escaping into films and books.
We employ over 1000 staff to ensure our service users receive the best care and support every day.
