Patrons and Trustees

OUR PATRON

Cherie Blair CBE QC

"When I was approached to become a Patron for the Community Foundation for Merseyside, of course I said yes straight away.

Although I have lived outside of Merseyside longer than inside, it's still very much where my home and heart is. So I wanted to help the local community and this was an amazing way of doing that.

It brings together the expertise of the Community Foundation to help so many small local charities, and also to help local donors who want to support the community and find the right places to put their money."

OUR PRESIDENT

The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mark Blundell

“I am proud to be President of the Community Foundation for Merseyside, a role which I accepted in 2017 when I was appointed HM Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside. The Community Foundation provides a vital service in connecting philanthropists and businesses with charities, thereby providing the latter with an essential source of funds for their much-needed work in our county.”

OUR TRUSTEES - COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS FOR LANCASHIRE AND MERSEYSIDE

Chair: New Business/Donor Development & Law: David Wareing
Senior Partner, Hill Dickinson LLP

"I feel a very strong attachment to the area and sense of responsibility for putting something back into the region which has given me so much over those years."

I was born in Southport in 1954 and joined Hill Dickinson in Liverpool in 1976. For 45 years I served as Managing Partner, and subsequently, Senior Partner, of what grew into a hugely successful commercial law practice with a turnover in excess of £100m, five offices across the UK, together with four overseas locations. In 2012, we established the Hill Dickinson Foundation, with the support of the Community Foundation for Merseyside, providing support to community-based projects within the UK where we had a presence.

I became a Trustee of the Community Foundation for Merseyside in 2016, and then was delighted to be appointed Chair of the Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside in 2022. Being aware of the incredible work they do out in our communities, and having received such excellent support when setting up of the Hill Dickinson Foundation in 2012, I welcomed the opportunity to get involved and lend my expertise and knowledge as a Trustee, and then Chairman. I always considered myself extremely fortunate in my career and being part of a Merseyside-based business was acutely aware that many members of the community did not have the chances or good fortune that I had enjoyed, and welcomed the opportunity to make a difference.

My first experience of working with the charity was in the setting up the Hill Dickinson Foundation in 2012. At Hill Dickinson we were keen to support the communities in which our offices were located, but how to achieve that was the challenge. The Community Foundation enabled the business to identify community-based projects which we were keen to support, and ensured that all the technicalities of running a charitable foundation were dealt with properly and seamlessly, ensuring that we were able to make the biggest impact. I welcome the opportunity to support and direct the Community Foundation’s next phase of growth.

Treasurer: Colin Wardale
Formerly Finance Director, Hill Dickinson

"From my initial contact with CFLM I was always impressed with both the concept of a Community Foundation and by the passion, expertise and results of CFLM for the communities and causes it serves. On retirement I was asked to consider becoming a Trustee and it was a natural step for me. It is a rewarding role and a privilege to continue my involvement."

I have been the Treasurer Trustee for CFLM since May 2018. I use my financial management skills and wide experience of business to advise on strategy, policy and financial control and to act as a mentor to the Finance Director.

I was a Chartered Accountant by qualification. After almost 10 years with Arthur Andersen, latterly as a management consultant, I pursued a career as a Finance Director/CEO in the legal industry. I specialised in mergers and acquisitions working for three of the UK’s leading legal businesses. I was committed to the North West and these included Hill Dickinson LLP from 2002 to 2018.

During my working life I always played an active part in charity fundraising activities and was Chair of the charities team at Hill Dickinson. There too I was instrumental in establishing their relationship with CFLM which subsequently resulted in a significant endowment fund. On a personal level I wanted to give something back to the city of my birth and I was a founder member of what was then called the “Merseyside 100” Fund which was administered by CFLM. Corporately, my relationship was via Hill Dickinson LLP and as a judge in CFLM’s Spirit of Merseyside awards.

Marketing & PR: Donna Howitt
Place Strategy Director, Liverpool ONE

"My role has allowed me to lead on strategies, campaigns and initiatives that have breathed excitement and life to a city that is going from strength to strength. Community is at the heart of what we do..."

I am Place Strategy Director for Liverpool ONE having joined in 2007, a year ahead of opening.

My remit at the time was to establish the Liverpool ONE brand making it a household name. But more than that, my role has allowed me to lead on strategies, campaigns and initiatives that have breathed excitement and life to a city that is going from strength to strength. Community is at the heart of what we do and the establishment of the Liverpool ONE Foundation has been fundamental to our care for communities and the people across the city region.

Having worked across extensive networks in the city, including acting as Chair of the Liverpool Visitor Economy Marketing Steering Group and member of the Visitor Economy Board, I bring strong marketing & PR expertise to the table with a genuine passion for the city and wider city region.

Community Leadership/Social Sector & Policy: Naz Zaman
Chief Officer, Lancashire BME Network

"I am really pleased to have the opportunity to work with CFLM and I hope that I will be able to positively contribute to the fantastic work that they are already doing."

I am the current Chief Officer of Lancashire BME Network (LBN), a membership organisation supporting BAME groups and organisations across Lancashire. I have successfully led the organisation through periods of transition and change, most recently around COVID-19 prevention. Prior to my involvement in LBN, I worked across the public and voluntary sectors in a range of roles including being the Equality and Inclusion Lay Member for East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group. I've also worked in a number of voluntary sector organisations holding a range of roles and has also been an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor. As well as managing a thriving and continually growing organisation, I sit as a magistrate and am also an approved foster carer – I use these roles to add to my experience and expertise in leading LBN.

I have also been a strong advocate of empowering disadvantaged and marginalised BME communities across Lancashire. This includes calling for more resource, investment and infrastructure to support those communities affected most by COVID-19 – namely those that come from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background. As a result of my continued advocacy and representation, I was asked to present my views to the Women and Equalities Committee in June 2020.

Community Leadership/Social Sector & Policy: Amanda Meachin
Chief Executive, Community & Business Partners

"The work of Community Foundations for Lancashire & Merseyside is very close to my heart. Helping people is at the core of everything it does. Improving the lives of the people it helps."

I’m Chief Executive Officer of Community & Business Partners C.I.C. employed full time. We deliver fully funded, subsidised and commercial projects and services to communities & SMEs. Throughout my career I have worked in many industries, being employed in lots of different jobs, including working as a cleaner, bar person, wait on person, supermarket checkout, cash office, admin office, sales, manufacturing, account management and project management.

My life experiences have been incredibly important - some very difficult, some great successes, but all relevant to my current role and my forever wish to help and support others. I was a teenage mum at the age of 14 and again at 18. I was a single parent for 20 years, but was never out of work, despite having no car until I was over 30 years old. My parents both died of alcoholism, my mum at the age of 59. I didn’t have a formal educational qualification until 2008, when I was already four years into my role as CEO. All of my life I have been learning and I’m now in a very fortunate, privileged position, where I can use my life experiences to help and support others. I believe that work itself is a huge privilege not afforded to huge amounts of people around the world. Every day I try to do the best I can, for all the people who are in my life, whether family, friends, colleagues or business associates… being part of CFLM is just another extension of this, it brings me great joy to be able to help others.

The whole team at CFLM work to provide that difference to all whom it encounters. They care a great deal about the value of their input and their actions. I’m really very proud to part of it and will continue to support their work for as long as I can add a little value.

New Business/Donor Development: Dennis Mendoros
President, MENDO Enterprises

"I value the commitment and effectiveness of the Community Foundation and enjoy immensely the team spirit and cooperation of all involved."

I am a qualified Aeronautical Engineer licensed by the UK Civil Aviation Authority since 1977. I studied Aeronautical Engineering in Perth, Scotland and the Hellenic Airforce Engineering Academy and have over 40 years experience in the international aerospace industry. I am a Fellow of the UK Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS).

In 1988 I started my own business, Euravia Engineering & Supply Co Ltd. I led its growth from a one-man company to a dynamic, successful and expanding company involved in the design, refurbishment and testing of high-speed turbine aero-engines. In 2010 Euravia received the Queen’s Award for International Trade and Enterprise. I am now the President of my second company, Mendo Enterprises.

I received an OBE for services to industry and was commissioned High Sheriff of Lancashire in 2010. I am currently a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire.

Community Foundations are experts in their local communities in understanding the needs of a community and the issues they face so that they can implement appropriate solutions. They act as the catalyst to bring together different disciplines and expertise to better understand the challenges our communities are facing before they can design the appropriate sustainable support packages.

Trustee: Neil Welsh

"For as long as I remember I’ve always had some form of external interest beyond my employed role. This has historically included being Chair of Governors for a federation of nursery and infants schools, chairman and coach of a cycling club and a few more besides. I found myself coming out of the Covid-19 crisis with fewer outside interests and when I became aware of the Trustee vacancy I jumped at the opportunity."

As a financial adviser working for PM+M Financial Planning, part of the wider PM+M accountancy business based in Blackburn, my role sees me service and maintain a bank of around fifty clients for their financial planning needs; managing pensions, investments and future cash flow modelling. I joined PM+M in 2015, following a couple of years in small IFA businesses and 25 years before that in banking. Alongside this, I also act in an ambassadorial business development role, representing PM+M within the local business community by attending and hosting events; making it easier for our clients, contacts and connections to do business with us.

As a Trustee, my financial background, communication skills and wealth of local business connections will enable me to make a significant contribution to the work of the Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside. Pre-Covid-19 I was Downtown in Business Lancashire Business Awards ‘Business Enabler of the Year’ two years in succession, so I hope to bring these skills to the table too. My strong network of connections and experience gained in employed and voluntary roles makes me well-placed to serve the interests of the Community Foundation. I am committed to raising its profile and contributing to good governance on behalf of donors, recipients and the communities served.

Away from work and volunteering, I’m a Burnley FC season ticket holder, keen runner, lapsed competitive cyclist and coffee aficionado / hobbyist (it becomes a hobby when it becomes expensive and inconvenient). I’m also incredibly passionate about all things mental health and financial health related, and deliver Financial Wellness sessions to businesses and their employees to educate and support.

Trustee: Sarah Pickerell
Head of people - Carpenters Group

Sarah joined the Community Foundation in 2023 as Trustee. As Head of People at the Carpenters Groups she brings a wealth of HR experience and knowledge to the table.

Governance Document

Download: Articles of Association