Paul is a consultant doctor working at Liverpool University Hospital’s Foundation Trust. Paul has also held several Medical Director Roles since 2016 and holds the NHS Leadership Academy Award in Executive Healthcare Leadership. Paul joined the charity as Chair of Trustees in March 2023.
Clare is the legally qualified member of the board of trustees and is passionate about The Brick’s contributions to social justice. A lecturer at the University of Law, she was previously a civil litigation solicitor working for both local and national law firms. Clare is a Young Trustees Movement ‘champion’ and is keen to see increased diversity in the sector, delivering training to students looking to secure first-time trusteeships. She enjoys several voluntary roles including a variety of mentorship schemes, supports emerging writers as a reader for the Orwell Youth Prize, and is a member of Wigan Council’s Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education.
Sam has been ordained in the Anglican Church since 1996. She began her ministry in inner-city Liverpool before moving to serve an outer-estate parish, gaining extensive experience of urban and community-based ministry.
In 2008, Sam moved to Wigan to become Vicar of Ince Parish and St Catherine’s, Scholes. She now has shared oversight of seven churches, working collaboratively with a colleague to support worship, pastoral care and community engagement across the area. From 2025, Sam works a four-day week.
Alongside her parish ministry, Sam has previously served as a trustee of Wigan and Family Welfare and as a governor of local schools, reflecting her long-standing commitment to the wellbeing of children, families and the wider community.
Wigan has become her home, so she hopes she brings local knowledge, as well as strong governance experience, and a passion for community service to her role as a trustee.
I am a Chartered Accountant with 23 years’ experience in accountancy, tax, audit and business advisory services at Cowgills, Wigan, where I am a Partner.
At Cowgills, part of the Sumer group, you get local relationship-led service with the expertise of the 12th largest accountancy firm in the UK. We pride ourselves on a partner-led relationship service, offering a full suite of accountancy services. We will help you set up your new business, develop and grow your existing business and provide in depth business knowledge and experience in order to help you to achieve your goals.
We have a wide range of small and medium sized clients in and around the Wigan area and across the North West of England, along with others across the UK more generally.
I am also a trustee of Standish United Charity. I am a keen gym goer, skier and enjoy playing golf… badly.
Head of International Payments for a large Bank, Jonathan has held various senior management roles in the Financial Industry. His time is spent building payment product strategies and implementing large scale transformation programmes. He speaks at global conferences and is an industry thought leader.
In his 15 year career, Jonathan has developed products and services that are accessible to the most vulnerable in society.
Jonanthan has been committed to supporting those struggling with homelessness since he ran a soup kitchen with his wife in Lancaster for multiple years.
Working with the Brick has brought formality to Jonanthan’s engagement with the charity sector, where he hopes his experience in strategic thinking and long term programme management skills will be valuable.
With over 22 years’ experience in marketing, business leadership and growth strategy, Karen brings strong commercial and strategic insight to her role as a Trustee of The Brick. She is the Founder and Managing Director of Touchbusiness, where she has spent two decades helping organisations strengthen their marketing, develop sustainable growth strategies and navigate change. Over the past 10 years, she has also worked in business consultancy roles and as a Non-Executive Director, supporting leadership teams across a range of sectors.
Alongside her professional career, Karen has extensive voluntary leadership experience, including serving as Chair of a primary school PTA and supporting youth, Church and community initiatives. Her approach is firmly rooted in Christian values, with a deep-rooted passion for service, community engagement and making a tangible difference in the lives of others. She is committed to applying her skills and energy to initiatives that create positive, lasting impact for the community and wider society.
Jean has 40 years’ experience within the field of Education. Her roles have included Head of English, Staff Development including Appraisal and Assistant Head Teacher. She also served as teacher governor for 12 years.
From teaching, she moved into Higher Education, teaching on the MA programme and training new teachers. The research for her MA (Mentoring) resulted in the publication of numerous conference research papers. She also served as school governor as HE governor.
In addition to being a Trustee, she has been a committed volunteer at the Brick’s Food Community for over 5 years. In her spare time, she balances her passion for travel, theatre, singing and anything French with her volunteering commitments which also include Exam Invigilation and Schools Admissions Appeals panel member. She also served as HE Governor on a Partnership school’s Governing Body.
Kate started her housing career in Dundee, Scotland before moving to England. She graduated from Salford University with a post graduate Diploma in Housing Studies in 1997 and an MSc in Housing Practice in 2000. She has worked for local, regional and national Housing Associations focussing on housing/regeneration, neighbourhood and estate services. Kate has worked at Director level for more than 10 years in social housing and is a Chartered Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing. Her interests include equality diversity and inclusion, for which she has received sector awards, and promoting fairness and justice. She was a finalist in the 2019 Women in Housing Awards – Leadership.
Stuart is highly experienced in strategic and operational oversight of supported accommodation services with 30 years experience in safeguarding and relevant statutory framework compliance. Stuart has worked in Social Care since 1994 and directly with children and families since 1996. Stuart brings with him not only experience in working with vulnerable children and their parents during times of crises, but also in managing and leading teams, including change and re-organisation.
Michael has a long history working in Social housing and local authorities, currently working for Turning Point leading their property team, which centres around the management of accommodation services to provide support to individuals with learning disabilities, mental health and substance use issues.
In 2007 Martin set up the ‘’Martin and Judith Ainscough Charity Trust’’ which has funded many charities including The Princes Trust, Wigan and Chorley Youth Zones and The Big Life. In 2015 Martin was awarded a CBE for services to charity and is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester. Martin has held a number of prolific directorships including: 1967-76 Director Wm Ainscough + Sons Ltd, 1976-2007 Chairman Ainscough Crane Hire Ltd , 2007-present Non Exec Chairman Ainscough Group Ltd.
Chief Executive Officer
After studying Politics at Liverpool University, Keely embarked on a career in Finance, but transferred those skills to the charity sector when she began volunteering at The Brick in 2018, assisting with accounting, governance and bid writing. Her passion for social justice and her commitment to raising the aspirations of people inflicted by poverty and homelessness underpin the Brick’s strategy and vision today.
