Board of Trustees

David spent 35 years teaching and leading secondary schools in the North East. Since stepping down as headteacher in 2021, David has been the Education Strategic Lead for North Tyneside Learning Trust, supporting 45 schools. His role as a school governor and his involvement with young carers has deepened his admiration for the Carers Centre, and he is committed to helping it continue its vital work.

Born and bred in the west end of Newcastle, Paul now lives in North Tyneside. He retired early in 2018 after 41 years’ working within large IT departments in public services organisations across the North East of England. Having been both a young and adult carer for elderly parents, he has an acute appreciation of the expectations, pressures and stresses experienced by carers of all ages.

Originally from Scotland, Jonathan has called the North East home for nearly 20 years. He has spent 30 years working in highly regulated sectors around the world in various leadership roles, and is currently the Client and Corporate Affairs Director at Railpen which manages the c.£35 billion Railways Pension Scheme. Jonathan became a carer in his mid-teens and continued in this capacity until 2024. He was drawn by the Carers’ Centre work to support carers of all ages and seeks to use his professional and lived experience to support those most in need of that vital helping hand.

A qualified HR professional with over 25 years experience working within industrial relations and HR. Peter prepares and advises on the implementation of HR, employment policies and has extensive knowledge of the Equality Act. He supports many charities and voluntary groups through his role as a local Councillor, he also has experience of supporting community groups.

Kirsty brings over 18 years’ experience in marketing strategy, product and market development and insight, working for organisations in heavily regulated sectors such as energy, education and health. Kirsty is passionate about making a difference and delivering value, and is committed to driving forward the NTCC’s mission, ensuring that the charity continues to thrive.

As a carer for a close family member over the past nine years, Joanne has experienced first-hand the challenges that carers face and the invaluable support that this centre provides.  She is passionate about using her lived experience, along with professional skills, to help strengthen and develop services for others in similar situations.

Joanne’s work in the charity sector, alongside previous voluntary roles as a parent governor and committee member, has given her a strong understanding of community support and advocacy.  She looks forward to contributing to the centre’s vital work and ensuring carers continue to receive the recognition and assistance they deserve.

Bill is a former career Civil Servant and has extensive lived experience of being an unpaid carer within a family setting. His late wife and her family have close links to North Tyneside which is why he chose NTCC who offered him the opportunity to pay back and help drive forward the local care agenda.

Since 2020 Bill has been an influencing campaigner on Health and Social Care issues. As a speaker, panellist and host at conferences and events Bill is driving forward the Dementia agenda. Making regular appearances on national TV and Radio, as well as digital and printed press, Bill works closely with Alzheimers Society and the BBC in order to highlight and fix what he says is a broken care system.

In addition to his presentations Bill talks to medical and nursing professionals offering valuable insights on the vulnerability of those people with and without a diagnosis as well as those caring for them.