Following a 30-year career in financial services serving on a number of boards in the UK and overseas Richard set-up his own Consultancy advising on high value payment systems design and operation. He has had a long-standing interest in mental health and well-being issues and has served on the board of Bradford District NHS Care Trust. Currently he also serves on the board of Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance and a number of local community committees.
Michelle has a creative commercial background with a degree in Visual Arts and Marketing and a Master’s in Creative Arts Consultancy from Lancaster University. She has worked both agency and client side of the Marketing industry before joining her husband’s business 25 years ago. She has a wealth of knowledge in the running of SMEs, including accounts management, health and safety, HR and commercial compliance. Throughout her working life Michelle has maintained her interest in the arts, which has helped support her own mental health, and runs a small art studio where she produces her own illustrations and original lino prints.
Louise has worked for over 10 years in children and adults social care as an occupational therapist. Louise brings strategic knowledge and professional experience working with people from a range of backgrounds and with a focus on holistic wellbeing. She has been a trustee with Pioneer Projects since May 2019 and has been a trustee at Orb Community Arts, their sister organisation, since January 2014 and remains committed to supporting the collaboration of both organisations.
Now retired, Liz was trained social worker with a Diploma in Management, worked for Lancashire County Council for 40 years delivering and managing services. Latterly this included being Head of Service for Older People, encompassing over 30 distinct services, 1000+ staff, and managing a budget of around £25m. She has specialisms in person centred approaches to wellbeing, best practice in dementia, re-enablement for older people, end of life care, and community. Resident in Bentham since 2018, her and her husband have four grown up sons. She is also involved with Bentham Older People Together and is the Chair of “Friends of Ole Laney”.
Kiri works full-time as the Education, Engagement and Wellbeing Manager at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. She is the group outdoor activity and Safeguarding lead. Through this role, she has contributed to projects such as the Natural Health Service for North Yorkshire; Championing National Parks for Everyone; Dales Fell-being and Green Social Prescribing walks with Orb & Pioneer Projects.
Kiri holds personal and professional experience of leading outdoor activities. She has a particular interest in widening access to the outdoors so everyone can experience the health and wellbeing benefits that come from being in green and blue space, and particularly our protected landscapes. Kiri holds a Mountain Leader qualification and teaches BodyPump classes in local gyms.
