Trustees
Chairman
Sharman Birtles JP DL
Sharman has been a Trustee since 2007 and is currently Chair of the Trustee Board. She worked in the Banking Sector, specialising in Facility Management, for 28 years until she took early retirement in 1997.
She was appointed as a Magistrate in 1981 and remained so until 2013 after serving as Chairman of the Bench for four years.
She is Patron of her local Hospice and Chairs the Trustee Board of a Charity which helps older men and women to avoid social isolation. She also Chairs a Committee which raises funds for children, young people and their families who are dealing with cancer. Sharman is Honorary Colonel of the Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force. Additionally, she is a Trustee on two Charitable Trusts.
Appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater Manchester in 2008, she served as High Sheriff of the County in 2015-2016. She has recently retired from her role as Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester.
In 2022 she was awarded an MBE for services to Charity and the Community in Greater Manchester.
When time allows, Sharman enjoys watching Manchester United, going to the Theatre and spending time with friends. She also enjoys cooking, quizzes and puzzles.
Deputy Chairman
Jan O’Connor JP
Jan started her career at NatWest, working in Retail and Corporate Banking. Since then she has worked in the voluntary sector as Manager of Wood Street Mission, Director of supported housing charity The Housing Link and as a Charity Consultant.
Jan sits as a Magistrate on the Greater Manchester Bench.
Jan enjoys walking and watching concerts, films and theatre in her spare time. She is a lifelong supporter of her local football club and also a passionate tennis fan.
Treasurer
Peter Townley FRICS
Peter Townley FRICS, retired Chatered Surveyor, spent his entire career in Manchester/Salford predominantly advising Charities as to the best use of their assets. Trustee since 2012.
Anna Reeves
Anna started her career as a teacher working in both mainstream and special education before she became CEO of Ace Centre – a charity providing services for people with complex disabilities who need technology to communicate. She has been a trustee of two other charities previously, is a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and is passionate about the voluntary sector. Now retired, she enjoys time with her family, travel, playing tennis and pickleball and time on her allotment.
Anna Addison
Anna has worked for the NHS for just over 40 years; with the last 15 years based in Manchester working in community and hospital Children’s services. Much of her work involved multi-agency working to help and support children and families. She has previously been Head of Governors of a special school in Trafford. Her interests include football, walking and going to concerts and the theatre.
Rakesh Thaker