I’ve lived in a few areas of Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire across my lifetime, my early childhood we lived in Barton, moving to Broughton in my early teens, then into the Crosby area of Scunthorpe (Edwards Road, Frodingham Road, Sheffield Street and then back to Edwards Road) from late teens into adulthood before settling more recently in Keadby.  I have two children and a grandchild who all still live at home and the majority of my family live in various parts of Scunthorpe.

I am a Chartered Management Accountant and have worked in the Voluntary Sector since 2003, starting as an Administrator with The Forge Project in Scunthorpe, then moved to Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire (VANL) in 2006 as Finance Officer and then East Riding Voluntary Action Services (ERVAS) Ltd in 2008 initially as Community Accountant and appointed CEO in 2014. In that time I set up Phoenix Accountancy and Business Consultancy Limited which now provides services to a range of organisations in North Yorks, East Riding, Hull, North Lincs and North East Lincs, I’ve supported hundreds of Voluntary Sector organisations with all aspects of finance and governance including setting up and closure, brought significant funding into the sector and have led the organisation through difficult times to become a stronger and more robust organisation. Dealing with many changes with the development of Bridlington Community Hub, the work supporting East Riding Food Poverty Alliance, providing governance support, working alongside the volunteers to develop the Two Rivers Community Pantry supermarket in Goole and more recently working on a merger between ERVAS and VANL which has created a new charity Community VISION (Voluntary Infrastructure Support Involving Organisations and Networks) CIO. 

My life and passion is in this sector - strengthening and giving back something to our local communities. I value every one of the charities and voluntary sector organisations worked with as they all do such amazing work. 

Alongside my paid roles within the sector, I have also always volunteered additional time for those organisations and other not for profit organisations, from previously volunteering Christmas Day with the Community Christmases at the Forge (older people, families and those who were unfortunately homeless), providing adult learner support to adults with significant SEND needs with Maths and English, being a volunteer mentor to people going through their CIMA exams, Trustee Treasurer and volunteer of a small children's charity, where I have used my expertise to bring in funding, bring people together, organise activities and events and also being a Governor at a local primary school for the last 5 years with responsibilities including early years, personnel, senior leadership and chair of the Resources committee.  Currently, I am the Treasurer for the East Riding Food Poverty Alliance and even outside of work, I am always providing advice, support and help to VCSE organisations through Facebook as well as face to face. 

All of these achievements and many others across my life come from falling into the voluntary sector. The support received from people in the sector has shaped me, the investment into my personal development, flexible and hybrid working, compassion and understanding through difficult times and coming into contact with passionate people everyday has shaped me and the way I work to help others.

I didn't start from a privileged background and have been through many personal hardships and overcome many barriers. Working with strength and determination to succeed and being able to help others.