Who we are: Team

Who we are: Team

Our Directors and Trustees include:

Philippa Crowther – CEO

Philippa has spent over 30 in Healthcare and related Business. Previous roles include, Operations Director for Nuffield Health (Charity Sector) responsible for 40 private hospitals. Operations Director for a Commercial Ophthalmic businesses UK and Ireland. Philippa Joined Wilberforce Trust in 2013 as Chief Executive.

Shaun Taylor – Finance Director

Shaun is a fully qualified accountant with over 30 years’ experience. His previous roles include Finance Director of a Private National Healthcare company, Housing Associations and private sector Leisure Industry. Shaun joined Wilberforce Trust in 2015 as Finance Director.

Samantha Scholey-Dyson – Operations Director

Samantha Scholey-Dyson is the Operations Director for Wilberforce Trust, joining in 2018.  Samantha started her career in psychology in the prison setting working with prisoners who had addiction problems, progressing to managing the substance misuse department and then moved from prison to prison to manage other substance misuse departments and eventually the whole of the Healthcare department.  She has also worked in the NHS managing surgery specialities, specifically Trauma and Orthopaedics and Plastic Surgery.  In her current role at Wilberforce Trust she oversees all the operations for the charity and was the creator of Club Wilber.  Samantha is also the Chairperson for the RSPCA York and Harrogate District Branch and a Trustee for the Lexi Doll charity.

Colin Aspinall – Chairman

Colin has spent over 20 years in Finance, Operations and IT Management having first trained as an accountant. His previous employment includes Mothercare and Asda, followed by IT Director and Commercial Finances with Ultralase and Northern Gas Networks.

Sue Hawksworth

Sue has experience of over 25 years in FMCG Commercial Management and is Economics trained. Sue has held numerous roles in Marketing. Her Previous employment was with Rowntree’s in Brand Management, Customer Marketing Management, Head of Health, and Wellness. Followed by working for Nestles as Head of Nutrition and is currently Marketing Director with Eldercare LLP.

Steve Cluderay

Steve spent 25 years in North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. I had Management responsibilities in Training, Recruitment, Fire Training and Health, and Safety. He trained in Education and Fire Service. Working previously as a teacher in Physics and Chemistry.

Simon Cowell

Simon has nearly 30 years’ experience within the legal sector and is the Managing Director of Harland & Company, Solicitors in York as well as being head of its Commercial Property Department. Prior to joining Harland and Company Simon worked for legal 500 Firms in the North East of England and was an in house property solicitor for a substantial Plc.

Keith Larcum

Keith spent 30 years in Telecommunication. Having trained in Telecommunications working with BT and BT open-reach and Carillion Tenant. He worked in Senior Management to deliver specific programs of work, BT superfast broadband delivery for the north of England and Scotland Managing up to 150 people. Keith has a relative that is both a tenant with Wilberforce Trust and receives her care package from the Wilberforce Trust care team.

Eamonn Dunne

Eamon has spent 20 years in third and public sectors. Business Studies trained. Involved over many years with implementing strategic programs within County Councils and partners particularly within the sight loss sectors. His Previous employment includes Liverpool Partnership Group, Regeneration Programme Liverpool city center, Henshaws Society for the blind and currently a regional manager with Thomas Pocklington Trust.

Charles Anelay

Charles has been involved with the property and construction sector for nearly 40 years.  Mostly that was with William Anelay Ltd, a multi award winning specialist heritage contractor, that sadly went into administration.  He then moved into the not for profit sector as Property Portfolio Manager for the Diocese of York where he is also Diocesan Surveyor.  Charles is actively involved in his local church, where he is a Reader, and part the team that focuses on providing inclusive services for all ages.  As well as supporting the Wilberforce Trust he is also involved with the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust.

Anne Mwangi

Anne has over 20 years’ experience of working in the field of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the public, higher education and charity sectors. She currently works for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation/Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRF/JRHT) as the Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Nearly two-thirds of people living with sight loss are women.