Ian Gregg

Riverside Group | Chief Property Officer

Ian joined the Riverside Group in May 2014. He is responsible for all of the Group’s homes and buildings, ensuring that they are all safe and well maintained. Ian is also responsible for the Group’s wholly owned subsidiary contractor, Evolve.

He is the nominated Health and Safety Lead for the Group. He leads the Group Procurement Function which manages the Grouus supply chain of over 2,000 partners and delivers savings over £5m annually.

After initially beginning his career as a student surveyor with Manchester City Council, Ian has subsequently worked for Midland Heart, Parkway Green, Regenda Group, Guinness Northern Counties and Harvest Housing Group

Julie‑Ann Garton

Managing Director | NWUPC

Julie-Ann’s procurement career spans more than 30 years, she has had key roles in the police service, a university, as well as both FE and HE purchasing consortia. She progressed into corporate governance and compliance roles, utilising the broad range of skills acquired from her procurement leadership experience. She is now the Managing Director of the North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium, she is also the chair of UKUPC and sits on the HEPA Board. She is committed to delivering a first class, value for money service to her key stakeholder groups. She excels in leadership, corporate governance, change management, strategy development, risk management,  and of course procurement!

Peter Kane

Head of Estates and Facilities Management | Belfast Metropolitan College

Peter possesses over 23 years’ experience in Project and Assets Management across both the social housing and education sectors. His responsibilities include delivery of the college asset management strategy, plus contract management of the college’s PFI/PPP contracts and overall estate operations, including health and safety/sustainability. Peter is the Board sponsor for health, safety and wellbeing and Sustainability.

Robert​​​​ Nieri

Legal Director | Shoosmiths LLP Solicitors

Robert is a specialist charities and social enterprise lawyer who advises charities of all sizes nationally, as well as purposeful businesses on their interaction with the VCSE sector, whether that is to set up their own charitable foundations or to work with charities to enhance their service offering or to advance their ESG and CSR aspirations.

Mike Haslin

Chief Executive | The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) 

Mike is the Chief Executive of The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) who are catering procurement and professional development experts.  TUCO has a buying power in excess of £150 million annually, and have regularly achieved savings of over £10 million per year.

Mike describes his main goals at TUCO as developing and implementing the company’s strategic plan to offer a high standard of professional services to TUCO members and contract participants.   Mike is accountable for the overall performance of the Company and for the day-to-day running and management of the Company’s business.  During the time he has been in post he has overseen the rapid expansion of the company in terms of spend, savings, turnover, membership numbers, contract take-up and learning and development opportunities.  

Mike gained his MCIPS in 1995 and completed his MBA in Strategy and Procurement Management from the University of Birmingham in 2011, culminating in being awarded a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (FCIPS) in 2013 –  an honour awarded by his peers.  More recently he achieved Chartered Director status from the Institute of Directors and was subsequently made a Fellow.

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Louisa Clarke

Director | One Feather Coaching

Louisa Clarke’s career seamlessly transitions from a commendable decade in the Royal Air Force, recognised by a 2004 commendation, to a pivotal role in Facilities Management (FM). As a former executive at a leading UK FM provider, she earned accolades such as the Ex-Forces Business Leader of the Year 2022 and a spot among the Top 50 Workplace Leaders. Today, Louisa applies her extensive skills in executive coaching, and leadership training. Her ongoing commitment extends to serving on the Government’s Veterans Advisory Board and various volunteer roles, illustrating her dedication to impactful leadership and advocacy.

Lisa Davenport

CEO of Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse.

Lisa Davenport is the CEO of Moss side Millennium Powerhouse. A youth charity based in Moss side, Manchester. 

She has 23 years of experience working in the VCSE. Lisa is energetic, passionate and strives to make a difference in communities. Her spare time is spent raising 5 children, volunteering as a school governor and supporting campaigns close to her heart. Lisa enjoys life to the max and still finds time to sing in a choir, ride a motorbike and visit new places. 

Last year Lisa met Prince William when he visited the Powerhouse and was blown away by his involvement with the young people. She is driven, ambitious and loves people. 

Katherine Jarvis

Head of Procurement

Experienced strategic procurement professional. Proven ability to work in diverse, challenging environments. Tri-sector working experience (charity, private and public). Current role is Head of Procurement for a private group of fertility clinics. Katherine is also an actively engaged parent governors at a primary school.

Simon Jacobs

Director | Professional Weirdos

Simon is an entrepreneur and founded his own executive marketing business when he was studying at university.

Graduating with a marketing degree, he moved on to work with Camelot Lottery, where he was promoted to Brand Manager and Strategy Innovation Manager. Simon now runs his own business that is focused on bridging the gap between creativity and corporate culture and has experience of working with big organisations, including John Lewis & the BBC. In addition to running his own business he is also currently employed as a Chief Marketing Officer, overseeing the whole marketing strategy. Simon has a passion for education and giving back to others to unlock talent. He has been a lecturer for Burnley College and is currently a Governor at Alder Hey Childrens Hospital, where he has recently completed governance training.

Dale Mulgrew

Fundraising & Partnerships Manager at Foundation 92

Dale Mulgrew is the Fundraising & Partnerships Manager at Foundation 92.

The official charity of Salford City Football Club, dedicated to creating positive opportunities for people across Salford and beyond through sport, wellbeing, education, and inclusive community engagement.. 

Richard Phillips

Business Partnerships Lead & Volunteering Development Worker

Richard Phillips is Business Partnerships Lead at Manchester Community Central, a role that focuses on helping VCSE organisations to work with the business sector in a mutually beneficial way.

Having held posts that work across charity, FE and HE sectors over the last 25 years Richard has a wealth of experience in working with local communities, particularly disadvantaged groups. He strongly believes in how collaboration between business and VCSE sectors can help improve the City of Manchester for the benefit of all.

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