Meet the Trustees
Our board of trustees are a diverse group of professionals who come from a range of backgrounds and disciplines with a wide range of knowledge and experience.
They are responsible for providing appropriate oversight, governance and leadership to Sapphire Partnership in the pursuit of it's strategies to fulfil it's charitable purposes.
Paul Hodgkinson
Chair of the Board of Trustees Lead for Governance and Finance
Quote from Paul:
“I have spent the whole of my career in special education and have seen the value that high quality provision has on lives. I worry that there are gaps in local provision but feel that Sapphire helps to fill a gap. This is hugely important for the young adults who attend the organisation. On my visits I have already observed that Sapphire is a fantastic resource which is led and delivered by a team of Special Needs experts. Sapphire has a very specific core purpose which is need in Bolton. The ‘offer’ is extremely important for the young adults who attend and there is evidence that it impacts on their lives.”
Biography:
Paul was born, raised, educated and has worked in Bolton all his life. He is very interested in the community and services that are available for Bolton residents.
Paul has 2 decades of leadership experience in Special Education and is involved in several National SEN Policy Networks. He is passionate about Governance and recognises the value of strong leadership.
He started his career working at Youth Challenge Pupil Referral Unit in Bolton and held numerous positions there. He started as a Volunteer Mentor before becoming a class teacher and eventually the Head Teacher in 2003. Under his leadership, Youth Challenge was twice judged to be Outstanding by Ofsted.
In 2010 he successfully achieved the position as Manager of the Bolton Pupil Referral Service and supervised the federation of all the PRUs across Bolton.
Four years later, in 2014 he became the Interim Executive Headteacher of Lever Park School when the school was placed into special measures.
He worked with the staff team on a Rapid Improvement Plan which eventually resulted in the school moving out of special measures in 2016. This resulted in Paul taking up the position of the Executive Principal of the Bolton Impact Trust. This is a Multi Academy Trust (MAT), which comprises the Alternative Provision (AP) and Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) offer across Bolton.
Paul has advised the Department for Education, various Local Authorities and schools locally, regionally and nationally on leadership, behaviour management strategies, alternative provision and governance. He has spoken at conferences and has recently been asked to Co-chair the SEND & AP council on behalf of the Foundation for Education Development (FED).
In his role as Chair, Paul has a vast amount of experience that he feels can support the development of Sapphire. In particular his knowledge of Governance is extensive, and he is committed to ensuring that the accountability, transparency, leadership and quality are achieved to the highest standard.
Lynda Williams
Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees Lead for Safeguarding
Quote from Lynda:
”Sapphire offers a wide range of opportunities within a warm and welcoming environment supported by committed experienced and empathic staff. It is evident that the young adults who attend the provision, enjoy the experience of being part of the Sapphire Family. Sapphire offers a balanced programme of activities and experiences for those attending working towards being as independent as possible.”
Biography:
Lynda has worked with this client group in both informal and formal settings over the last 4 decades developing and delivering creative programmes and experiences for those taking part. She has a passion for supporting young adults with additional needs and disabilities and is committed for the individuals to achieve their goals and aspirations.
Lynda’s experience leads her to believe that Sapphire is a much-needed provision in Bolton, where this client group can meet others, develop meaningful relationships, learn new skills and be part of a positive experience.
She started her career as a youth worker using her skills in creative arts as a medium to engage with young people.
She has spent a significant amount of time working in Bolton, initially as an FE Lecturer at Bolton College and other educational establishments, which required planning, design and delivery of sessions for young people with disabilities. She then gained employment within Bolton Council Children’s Services Department, where she worked as a locality-based community development in City Challenge. This was an externally funded, long term project, based in Halliwell. She held responsibility for developing a programme that was designed to support vulnerable young people. This role also required her to manage projects, buildings and staff teams.
Lynda then moved into a more senior management role in Connexions Service where she continued to develop the community-based settings under the wider remit of the offer to engage with the NEET (not in education, employment or training) young people, who fell into the vulnerable groups.
This role offered an opportunity to build up her portfolio and she gained further experience in developing and managing a specific area of work that contributed to a NEET reduction Strategy for Bolton.
In 2011 Lynda finished working for the council when the Local authority was tasked with making significant cuts to the services they offered. She took this opportunity to set up a not-for-profit organisation for young adults with disabilities and has been doing this for the last 11 years. Change management has become a major skill during this time and the range of other skills she has developed over the years have enabled her to implement a vision that continues to engage with the most vulnerable.
During her time with the not-for-profit organisation, she has worked on planning, delivery, finance, networking with professionals, bid writing, fund raising and the effective participation and consultation with young adults.
Lynsay Gemmell
Quote from Lynsay:
“Becoming a trustee for Sapphire Partnership has provided me with the opportunity to bring AXA and the Sapphire Partnership together and create several opportunities over the last year and for the future.”​
“The young adults at Sapphire are inspirational, the kindness and confidence they demonstrate whenever I have been around is uplifting. There has been a couple of events held at AXA recently with the young adults and it is evident to see the skills being taught at Sapphire Partnership are enabling a brighter future for this community and I am excited to be a part of this work.”
Biography:
After studying at Liverpool John Moore’s University, Lynsay took on a job role in the insurance industry. She has spent the last 20 years working in Insurance from a claim’s handler to a Senior Business Project Coordinator. She has worked extremely hard to progress in the insurance world and gained a variety of skills and experience in Change Management. Lynsay has a passion for delivering Change in the workplace whether that be through technology, business processes or personal development for herself and others. As a Senior Business Project Coordinator, she is accountable for delivering change to ensure we remain relevant within our industry and our business units remain functional with the latest technology. Lynsay achieves this by benefit analysis, process improvement, having a solid network around her and the use of effective communication. Alongside her technical role, she is also a mentor and people leader, which enables her to fulfil her passion for supporting others with their personal and professional development. Lynsay’s job role also provides her with the opportunity to be part of a transformation programme, which allows her to work alongside hardworking, passionate, caring leaders and colleagues in AXA. Daily, she is willing to learn new things both professionally and personally, which makes it easy for her to remain passionate about all the things she gets involved in. Lynsay has strong family values and a good work ethic. She is a gay woman with a partner of 20 years, and has 4 stepsons, 3 granddaughters and 2 dogs. This blended family has helped to shape the person she is today. She loves musicals and walking in the Lake District. She stated that it is extremely humbling to be accepted on the board of Trustees for Sapphire Partnership.
Gareth Oliver
Quote from Gareth:
"The range of opportunities, activities and experiences offered at Sapphire is exceptional, with clear evidence to indicate the positive effect on the personal growth, confidence and independence of all who attend.
The sapphire programme is designed, delivered and evaluated by a team of inspirational staff who possess a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience, along with a clear vision and purpose. I am fortunate to have worked with many of them during my career in Education and can confirm with confidence the outstanding level of enthusiasm, creativity, support and care they bring to the organisation and its young adults."
Biography:
Gareth has a vast amount of knowledge with over 40 years of teaching in various schools across the country. He has extensive knowledge of working with and supporting young adults with neuro diverse needs and disabilities.
He began his career as a Physical Education Specialist at a large East London Comprehensive school in 1977 and held leadership roles in the PE and pastoral areas. These roles naturally led to him becoming involved in community aspects of school life, working with vulnerable young people and families. It was here he developed activities for the local community. He also took on the role as a BBTS tutor via Brunel University, training Youth and Community Workers.
In 1990 he moved into Special Education taking on leadership/management roles within EBD schools based in Tameside and Manchester. Over the years he has worked in Residential Special Education establishments and was responsible for developing and delivering the provision of alternative curriculum opportunities for young people with a wide range of disabilities.
Gareth then made the move back into state special school provision as a Senior Director with responsibility for safeguarding children and young adults, looked after children and student welfare/ behaviour. Through this role he gained a vast amount of experience of working with numerous agencies to provide the wrap around support that this vulnerable group and their families need.
He holds a qualification in Behaviour Management and has taught these techniques in various local authorities. He has also used them with the parents/carers of young people displaying a range of behavioural difficulties.
In 2008 Gareth was awarded a Distinction Award in the Special Educational category of the National Teaching Awards in recognition of the work he had done supporting vulnerable young people and their families in developing positive relationships.
Gareth’s love of sport and physical activity means he brings additional enthusiasm and skills to the work that already exists on the Board of Trustees at Sapphire. He is currently the Chairperson at a local Cricket club and has been instrumental in promoting a change management process resulting in a thriving community asset. Through this role he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of fundraising, which is a welcome asset to Sapphire.