Governance
TRUSTEES & MEMBERS
Our dedicated team of trustees works tirelessly to uphold the legacy of Samantha Sykes and make a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need. Our trustees are the backbone of our organisation, bringing their expertise, compassion, and unwavering commitment to our mission.
The Role of Our Trustees
Our trustees play a vital role in shaping and advancing the goals of our foundation. They oversee our operations, ensuring that we remain accountable, transparent, and true to our mission. With their strategic guidance and oversight, we are able to effectively allocate resources, identify opportunities for growth, and continuously improve our programs and services.
Our trustees also serve as ambassadors, representing the Samantha Sykes Foundation Trust and advocating for our cause. They cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, donors, and partners, fostering collaborations and generating support to further our impact in the community.
Meet Our Trustees
We are privileged to have a group of exemplary individuals who serve as trustees for the Samantha Sykes Foundation Trust. Each trustee brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives, contributing to our collective wisdom and decision-making process. Our trustees hail from various professional backgrounds and share a common passion for creating positive change.
Julie Warren-Sykes (Chair)
Approximately thirty years’ experience of working within the NHS, Social Care and integrated multi-agency services. Previous posts include Associate Director of Nursing, Quality and Professions, carrying a portfolio around governance including patient safety and safeguarding. Currently working as a Deputy Chief Nurse within NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care System
Eric Sykes (Treasurer)
Eric is a Quality Engineer, with extensive experience of governance and risk management. Involvement in football, at different levels, player, manager, coaching and refereeing for over forty years. Now a keen supporter of Emley AFC
Dr Benjamin Sykes (Trustee)
Doctor undertaking specialty training in Anaesthetics (ACCS). Holder of Post Graduate Certificate of Education. Experience working in 8 healthcare institutes across 3 counties.
Leanne Warren (Trustee)
Art Psychotherapist, extensive experience of working with children and young people in secure estate, Senior Psychotherapist currently working across several residential children’s homes and delivering some therapeutic interventions on behalf of the Samantha Sykes FT.
Karin Jackson (Administrator)
Worked for Puma UK for Forty years as a Customer Service Manager/Credit Control Manager, retired in 2018. Currently running the SSFT charity market stall.
Pauline Garnett (Trustee)
Independent Management Consultant who has operated through her limited company GoodCounsel Limited since 2011. Prior to this she was HR Director for Klockner Metals and her career included DSSmith Plc as Group HR Manager and 3 years running Common Purpose in Birmingham as Senior Program Director. Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI) and a Chartered Leadership Coach. She has been a trustee of the Birmingham Foundation, the Archbishop of York Youth Trust and is an ambassador for the Gurkha Welfare Trust and Leeds Festival Chorus and previously the Prince’s Trust.
Joe Joyce (Trustee)
Previously the CEO for 8 years of the largest multi metals stockholder, distributor and processor in the UK based at 39 locations, comprising four divisions and five stand-alone specialist businesses. Member of the International Group Executive Committee and Head of European Operations (Asset Management). Attended Leadership Programme IMD Business School, Lausanne Switzerland. Six years working as a Finance Director for an Ofsted Outstanding school, managing their transition from Local Authority to Academy status. Currently running a family-owned micro-brewery. Extensive business experience and Chartered Accountant. Chair of SIBA North East (Society of Independent Breweries). Previous Chair of Finance, Leeds College of Building for 8 years.
OUR PATRON
Nazir Afzal OBE
Nazir Afzal OBE, was Chief Crown Prosecutor for NW England and formerly director in London. Most recently, he was Chief Executive of the country’s Police & Crime Commissioners. During a 24 year career he has prosecuted some of the most high profile cases in the country, advised on many others and led nationally on several legal topics including violence against women and girls, child sexual abuse, and honour based violence.
Nazir had responsibility for more than 100,000 other prosecutions each year. His prosecutions of the so called Rochdale grooming gang, BBC presenter Stuart Hall and hundreds of others were groundbreaking and drove the work that has changed the landscape of child protection. He is the Chair of Hopwood Hall. Nazir is Independent Chair of Catholic Safeguarding Agency)
He is a lay member the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). He is also National Adviser on Gender Based Violence to the Welsh Government. Most recently he joined the advisory board of Google’s Innovation Fund for counter-extremism.
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Nazir is a tutor for several leadership programmes in the public and private sector.
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He has made presentations to dozens of diverse organisations in this country and abroad.
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He is on the European Union and Council of Europe list of expert speakers.
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He has given hundreds of interviews in all forms of media.
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Nazir gives a considerable amount of time to charitable work and is trustee and patron of several NGOs including Jan Trust, Karma Nirvana, EngageMe, Halo Project & Savera and is the former Chair of the Prince of Wales’ Mosaic Trust.
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He is currently the Chancellor of the University of Manchester
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He is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Central Lancashire, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law by the University of Birmingham and this year an Honorary Doctorate by Manchester University.
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He assists the UN on rule of law, for example, he has chaired conferences in New York, Madrid, Norway and Geneva on various justice topics.
Nazir’s has received many accolades. In 2005, he was awarded an OBE by the Queen for his work with the CPS and involvement with local communities. He has also had the honour of being the only lawyer to ever prosecute a case before the Queen. In 2007, he was awarded the CPS’s Public Servant of the year, named Legal Personality of the Year by the Society of Asian Lawyers, the UK Government’s Justice Award 2007 and awarded the Daily Mirror newspaper “People’s award” voted for by readers. He was awarded the Law Society/Bar Council Mentoring award. Nazir was also selected for the Asian Power 100 along with the Muslim Power 100 list, recognised as one of the 100 most influential leading Muslims and Asians in the UK. He has been listed in the Pakistan Power100 which regards him as one of the 100 most influential people of Pakistani origin in the world today. Awarded the lifetime Achievement Award by the Power 100, and the British Muslim Award in 2013. He was Asian Media Group’s “Man of the Year 2012,” and the Asian Achievers Award 2014. The acclaimed BBC Film “Three Girls” was based on his case & featured Ace Bhatti playing him.
We are honoured to have him as a Patron of The Samantha Sykes Foundation Trust
