Our Office Team

Gillian’s responsibility is to provide inspiration, support and leadership to the organisations team and members. As a member owned and led organisation, her responsibility is to ensure that all of our members, the 41 local authorities and 2 combined authorities have access to the support, advice and guidance they require so that they can provide their best support to their communities.

Prior to her role at North West Employers, Gillian has worked in various Chief Executive & Corporate Director roles within Local Government and at one time, worked as an associate for North West Employers supporting leadership development and executive coaching activity.

Gillian’s favourite pastime out of work: Being active with her family; swimming, walking and skiing.

Gillian’s favourite life quote: ‘’Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breathe away’’

An interesting fact about Gillian: She was one of the youngest Local Authority Chief Executives in the country, and is a volunteer swimming teacher for her local swimming club.

Contact Gillian- Email: gillianb@nwemployers.org.uk / Tel: 07766 492 286

As Executive Director, Sharon is passionate about making sure that we understand what our members want and that we add real value to the work that our members do. Working with the Chief Executive and Leadership Team, Sharon provides leadership and direction to the organisation and is the sub-regional lead for Cumbria and North Lancashire.

Before joining North West Employers in 2013, Sharon spent 10 years in the public sector where she specialised in Organisational Development and before that she worked in the private sector, giving her a good grounding in leadership and management and sparking her interest in learning and development. Her particular areas of focus now include Councillor Development and Leadership Development.

Sharon’s favourite pastime out of work: Sharon loves her holidays and the excitement of exploring new places.

Sharon’s favourite life quote: ‘’Live for the moments you can’t put into words’’

An interesting fact about Sharon: At three years old, Sharon sparked a police hunt after hiding in the back of her Mums car and falling asleep.

Contact Sharon- Email: sharons@nwemployers.org.uk / Tel: 07824 140 269

Andrew began his career in HR with the Royal mail in the 1980s. He has also worked in the FE sector and joined North West Employers in 1998. He holds a Post-graduate Diploma in Personnel Management and a MA in Human Resource Management.

Andrew’s main role with North West Employers is to advise local authorities and other member organisations on local government conditions of service, teachers’ pay, HR practice and procedure, and general employment law issues.

Andrew’s favourite pastime out of work: Countryside dog walking and trying to keep fit.

Andrew’s favourite life quote: ‘’No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy’’

An interesting fact about Andrew: Aged only 8, Andrew came second in a department store Dr Who competition.

Contact Andrew- Email: andrewm@nwemployers.org.uk / Tel: 0161 214 7114

Rebecca has experience of both internal and external HR, as a result she has worked with multiple sectors such as care, hospitality, retail and wholesale, manufacturing, technology and professional services. She holds a CIPD Human Resource Management qualification. 

Rebecca’s role is to provide confidential advice on employment matters and proactively research emerging themes and topics to ensure our members are kept up to date. 

Rebecca’s favourite pastime out of work: Walking her Spaniel, spending time with family and friends and cooking new recipes. 

Rebecca’s favourite life quote: “In between goals is a thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed” 

An interesting fact about Rebecca: I learnt to play the flute when I was 7 years old and completed my flute practical grade exams throughout school. 

Contact Rebecca- Email: rebeccam@nwemployers.org.uk / Tel: 0161 214 7117

Kevan has a background in academia/education focusing on behavioural psychology and social science. He joined Halton Borough Council in 2016 and spent almost seven years applying this knowledge within the field of organisational development. Kevan has delivered keynote speeches for CIPD’s Behavioural Science in The Workplace conference, and has delivered guest lectures focusing on occupational psychology to studying at Liverpool University. He is passionate about using evidence-based research to inform what organisations do, so they can better understand and support human behaviour and potential.

Kevan’s favourite pastime out of work: Keven enjoys socialising with friends and family, keeping fit, being active and spending time with his son.

Kevan’s favourite life quote: Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

An interesting fact about Kevan: At the age of 40, Kevan took skateboarding back up so he could skate with his son who has a passion for the sport.

Contact Kevan- Email: kevc@nwemployers.org.uk / Tel: 07774152403

Pat leads on commercial programmes and consultancy work within the team. She is passionate about learning and development and loves helping our membership organisations, and the wider public sector, in finding the right solutions and interventions to support their staff.

Pat is the longest serving member of staff and has seen the organisation evolve over time to keep pace with the many changes and challenges our sectors face. Most people join public services to make a difference, and I’m pleased to say, I think we’ve achieved this, and I’m glad to be a part of it.

Pat’s favourite pastime out of work: Pat’s favourite pastime is spending it with her family, especially with her first grandson, Sonny. She also loves spending time at her second home in Spain (with and without the family!).

Pat’s favourite life quote: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough!”

An interesting fact about Pat: Many moons ago, she sang on stage at the Manchester Apollo with Adele. Pat’s also done a parachute jump and abseiled down a very tall building!!

Contact Pat- Email: patw@nwemployers.org.uk / Tel: 0161 214 7103

Andrew comes from a background focused on business development and has worked within multiple sectors including tech, student accommodation and most recently led the Business Development Team at an Environmental Consultancy laboratory focused in Occupational Hygiene, Stack and Pathology. He also holds a degree in Politics from the University of Birmingham.

Andrew’s role will be to collaborate with and support our members as well as other organisations across the public sector with the delivery of solutions focused across the offer of services NWE provides.

Andrew’s favourite pastime out of work: Visiting the lake district, spending time with family and friends and his dog Beau as well as seeing as much live music as possible.

Andrew’s favourite life quote: “Believe in yourself and there will come a day when others will have no choice but to believe in you” 

An interesting fact about Andrew: Andrew is a huge Lady Gaga fan and one time she invited him backstage for a drink and a chat.

Contact Andrew- Email: andrewb@nwemployers.org.uk / Tel: 0161 214 7105

Karen comes with a wealth of experience in sales, marketing, hospitality, conferencing, commercial and business development in a variety of different markets.

Karen for the last 10 years has worked in Professional Sport and in this time has been involved in 2 Rugby League Clubs and the Governing Body of the Rugby Football League.  Whilst working within this sector Karen was involved in the delivery of main events such as The Grand Final, Challenge Cup Final, and International Games out of stadiums such as Wembley, Old Trafford and Anfield.

Karen also has a great knowledge of Health and Safety and has gained her IOSH Health and Safety in the Workplace.  Karen worked on and implemented the Covid Protocols that was received from Public Health England for the Governing Body and Professional Sport Clubs of Rugby League.

Karen previously worked in the Public Sector alongside the Police Force across the United Kingdom as Business Development Manager.

Karen’s favourite pastime out of work: Karen loves spending time with her family and enjoy trips to the Cinema to watch the most up to date films.  Karen loves to eat out and try difference cuisines.

Karen’s favourite life quote: “ Nothing is Impossible.  The word itself says “I’m possible!”

An interesting fact about Karen: Karen got invited and attend the Queens Garden Party and met some of the Royal Family.

After originally joining North West Employers as a Support Assistant in 2004, Sarah has progressed through various roles and has developed an invaluable understanding of our operations.

Sarah is responsible for supporting and coordinating the continuous improvement and ongoing development of North West Employers to ensure that it is efficient, compliant and sustainable.

Sarah’s favourite pastime out of work: Spending time with her family and friends, and baking lot’s of goodies to share. Sarah also enjoys the company of her two cats and a dog, possibly a little more than the muggles in her life.

Sarah’s favourite life quote: “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities”

Contact Sarah- Email: sarahh@nwemployers.org.uk / Tel: 0161 214 7127

Di has been employed at North West Employers since March 1994. She is one of the longest serving employees.

She has always been in an administration role which includes: events management, project co-ordination, liaising with customers, commissioners and our associate team who part of the delivery service and products that we offer. Her role covers both the membership and consultancy functions within North West Employers.

Di’s favourite pastime out of work: Di is kept busy with her son’s footballing activities which she loves being part of. Di also likes to volunteer in the community with a homelessness group when time allows this.

Di’s favourite life quote: ‘‘Life is what you make it’’

An interesting fact about Di: Around the year of 2000, Di thought she was going to be rich when five numbers were drawn on her national lottery ticket. That ‘thought’ was very short lived when she found out her winnings were only £1,800; not a life changing amount but she was very happy with having the win.

Contact Diana- Email: dianar@nwemployers.org.uk / Tel: 0161 214 7104

Background: Background in Banking and Finance and MBA, MSC Business Analytics in-view. Before Joining North West Employers, She has worked as a Banker, on IT Software implementation projects as a PMO Administrator, SAP Consultant, and a Certified Project Manager while supporting clients with Business Development strategies.

Your favourite pastime out of work: Like to be with family and socialise with friends, traveling and trying new cuisines.

Your favourite life quote: No one is more superior to the other.” Everyone is Equal”.

An interesting fact about you: Enthusiastic about keeping fit, loves football and supports Manchester United. she loves to dress smart and simply stylish, exciting, and wants to impact others through coaching while applying her team spirit and  leadership skills.

Contact Alexsandra – Email: alexsandrai@nwemployers.org.uk / Tel: 0161 214 7111

Maxwell has previously worked for both private and Non-profit organisations, focusing on resourcing and event coordination. With extensive administrative experience, Maxwell will be able to assist you with your queries and support requirements.

Maxwell’s favourite Pastime out of work: Maxwell likes to meet up with friends and family as well as trying to travel as much as possible.

Maxwell’s favourite life quote: “Good times become good memories and bad times become good lessons in life.”

An interesting fact about Maxwell: Maxwell had a passion for musical theatre in his youth and has starred in musical productions including: Beauty & the Beast; Les Misérables; Cabaret & Oliver.

Contact Maxwell – Email: maxwellf@nwemployers.org.uk / Tel: 0161 214 7100