Board of Trustees

Rob Ditchfield

Chairman of Trustee Board

Rachael Parry-Jones

Trustee

Rachael Parry-Jones is the proud founder and Managing Director of Emporia Marketing, a full-service global media and marketing communications agency based in Liverpool.

Under her leadership, Emporia Marketing has gained recognition for its innovative strategies, artistic flair and creative campaigns, empowering brands through dynamic and prestigious outdoor platforms and digital marketing with proven results. In 2023, Rachael was hugely honoured to be crowned winner and Most Innovative Media and Marketing Agency MD in the North West by SME News.

With a focus on empowering brands and elevating businesses, Rachael continues to lead Emporia Marketing toward new heights in the global media and marketing landscape.

Paul Nicholson

Trustee

Paul began his career as a solicitor at large corporate law firms specialising in property and finance. Since qualifying Paul left the legal profession and has been at the helm of a range of companies from property services and energy solutions.

Paul is now the founder and CEO of Nicholson Group, an award-winning vertically integrated property investment and development company, that owns and manages a portfolio nearing £40,000,000.

Mike Hart

Trustee

Having started his working life as an apprentice, at A+B Engineering, Mike Hart is now Managing Director and Shareholder.

He has an ethos of  “work hard/play hard” and enjoys all aspects of work. He is also an avid Everton supporter, and enjoys playing golf and bike riding when he can. Mike puts a huge emphasis on spending time with all his family and friends.

He is a committee member of Construction Excellence (Liverpool) and a trustee of not only the STF, but also the former Everton Players Foundation. Mike is also a member of Interact – a well established regional property networking group.

Stuart Brighouse

Trustee

Stuart spent 24 years in the British Army. Reaching the rank of Warrant Officer Class Two. Currently working as A Risk Assessor. In his spare time he runs Ultra Marathons and supports St Helens Rugby League Club.

AJ Mussell

Stephen Sykes

Stephen is Co-Founder and a Director of 2030hub, the world’s first United Nations recognised local entrepreneurial hub promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and co-developed the 2030pioneer youth activism programme and the Liverpool City Region place based 2030zero campaign.  

Stephen is also the Director of Sustainability for East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce; and oversees the Chamber Low Carbon programme, a joint venture between the two British Chambers of Commerce accredited Lancashire Chambers. 

Stephen is Chair of the Merseyside Environmental Trust, former sustainability advisor to the Faiths4Change Board of Trustees, a board member of Nature Connected (Liverpool City Region Local Nature Partnership), a member of the Liverpool City Region Climate Partnership developing the city region’s climate action plan and the Co-Chair of the St Helens Climate Change Commission and attends the UN’s Framework Convention of Climate Change Conference of Parties (CoP) and to the UNFCCC Climate Technology Centre and Network Advisory Board as an Official Observer.