Wood N Wheels’s Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall control and strategic direction. The Board is accountable for everything THE SWIFT CENTRE does, including setting the strategic direction, scrutinising the performance and supporting and empowering the Senior Leadership Team. The trustees delegate management responsibilities to the Chief Executive and certain other functions to our sub-committees.
We currently have six trustees on the Board. They come from a diverse range of backgrounds and bring a wide variety of skills and experience to the organisation. They meet regularly to discuss and review Wood N Wheels’s strategies and policies and receive updates from the Senior Leadership Team.
Margaret Wooding Jones (Chair)
Margaret joined the Board of THE SWIFT CENTRE in 2011 whilst on the leadership of Ashburnham Place, a Retreat and Conference Centre where she had pastoral oversight of an international team of 40 young people. Margaret is passionate about developing young people. She is also a Licensed Lay Minister.
Huw Ellis
Huw was a Welsh Primary School Headteacher for over 20 years and now works for a charity that supports struggling children and families. He is a fluent Welsh speaker and Chair of his local football team – Llanfair Utd!
Nicola Foot
Nicola is passionate about stopping human trafficking and violence, working for International Justice Mission, a global organisation which has seen slavery decrease by up to 86% in places where they work. She joined the THE SWIFT CENTRE board in 2016 as a result of her background in secondary school youth work and bringing church youth groups to Carroty Wood.
Alan Belcher
Alan joined the board in 2015. He brings over 30 years’ experience working for NatWest, the majority of which has been as a relationship director serving SME businesses. He is a keen outdoor sportsman with interests in most sports particularly football, golf and running.
Rachel Charlesworth
Rachel grew up in Tonbridge, moving to Newcastle to study Architecture, where she subsequently settled and has worked as an Architect since 2003 particularly on historical buildings and with an interest in sustainability. She has a passion for music and young people and helps out with both at her church. She has visited a number of THE SWIFT CENTRE centres with youth and student camps over a number of years.
Simon Hodge
Simon trained as a forester and made a career in management of land, property, natural resources and heritage. Simon also has extensive governance experience, including Christian organisations. Living in Scotland gives perspectives from north of the Border, as well a base for his love of nature and outdoor pursuits.
