Toria has been a Trustee of CWVA since 2021 and was appointed as the Chair in November 2023. She is passionate about volunteering and communities, with a strong interest in asset-based approaches and coproduction. In her day job, she heads up Communities and Tenant Involvement at ForHousing and, in her spare time, she is a passionate volunteer as a Secretary and 7-a-side Captain for Penny Lane FC. She also loves her cats and family (in that order).
Shantele has a legal background. After qualifying as a Barrister at the Inns of Court School of Law, her passion for equality led her to a caseworker role in the community sector, representing individuals who’d experienced discrimination at Tribunal. She then moved into her current position as Director of the local Race and Equality Centre, where she leads a diverse team of staff and services. She brings with her more than 20 years of experience in the community sector, with a particular emphasis on equality work. She is a Chester resident and lives with her husband and two dogs.
Holly is a Deputy Head and Lecturer in the Social and Political Sciences department at the University of Chester. Her areas of expertise include poverty and inequality, narratives of social harm, social activism and social justice, and qualitative research. Holly has evolved her knowledge in strategic development and social policy through a variety of voluntary roles, including for Citizen’s Advice, West Cheshire Foodbank and Trussell Trust. Holly is motivated by seeking opportunities for collaboration that promote social justice and wellbeing. She is also a founding member of the Beans on Toast Group, where local community food projects meet with community inspirers from the West Cheshire Poverty Truth Commission to promote change, and a Changing Minds Board member for the Trussell Trust. Holly’s favourite past time is walking her dog.
Alistair has worked in local government for a couple of decades. He is currently Director of Vivo Care Choices, an in-house care service at Cheshire West and Chester Council, and has held a number of other positions, with experience in finance, commissioning, policy and more. Before joining the CWVA Board, Alistair offered some strategic support to the team and has always been an important link to the Council. He is currently part of CWVA’s Finance Committee in his Trustee role.
Diane’s career, spanning over 35 years, has been as an HR Director, Talent Director and Global Business Partner. She has worked for multinational and matrix companies like AstraZeneca, M&S Bank and Marks & Spencer PLC. As a key member of executive teams working across the UK, USA, Canada and Europe, she has a commercial understanding of both business and people-related issues. Diane has played a significant role in driving transformational change and continuous improvement and extensive strategic and operational experience in many areas, including business performance and talent management, leadership development and strategic business partnering.
She is proud to be associated with CWVA as an organisation that is championing the community sector, as well as influencing and inspiring others to attain the highest of standards across west Cheshire. Diane looks forward to seeing even stronger relationships built with organisations in the public sector, guiding the community sector and the people it serves to work in partnership to improve services.
Diane is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and loves time with her three grandchildren – aged 18, 16 and four – dancing modern jive, going to the gym, theatre and Pilates.
Ben has more than 20 years experience in community and sport development, particularly working with those who are marginalised and bridging the gap between local need and policy and strategic changes.
He wanted to become a Trustee to assist the fantastic work that CWVA is doing, supporting community sector infrastructure and enabling each local member to do what it does best when deliver essential services.
In his spare time, Ben likes spending time with my family, walking the dog and playing badminton.
Lynda is a Volunteer and the Founder Member of Chester Adult Phab Social Club, a social club for people with and without disabilities since its formation in the late 1980s. She has been an active committee member since the club was formed and has carried out many roles, including Chairperson since July 2010.
She has a physical disability, is passionate about improving the lives of people with disabilities and is very active in the community. Lynda has worked in the community sector for more than 30 years and is also a committee member of Sanctuary Housing Association.
In her spare time, she enjoys concerts, theatre, cinema and has a passion for her garden.
Jack is the Strategic Lead for Active Environments at Active Cheshire, with experience of managing physical health interventions, particularly in the areas of cardiac rehabilitation and falls prevention, across west Cheshire. His passion is leveraging both physical activity and the community sector to address health inequalities, enhance population health and strengthen communities. Outside work, Jack is an avid supporter of Chester Football Club, enjoys running and has a passion for gardening.
Receive weekly updates with the latest news and information for community sector organisations
Sign up here
