Our trustees
Helen Bourner (Individual Member) (Chair)
I have lived in and around Harrogate for almost 30 years. I came to North Yorkshire as I was working in the private sector as a Regional Director of Sales for Principal Hotels, travelling all over the North of England and Scotland. I left the private sector in 2000 and joined part of the Department of Health – NHS Estates – leading work to focus on improving customer satisfaction.
I moved into NHS management in 2005 working at Barnsley Hospitals, and then as a Board Director my career took me to Swindon, Warrington and Bradford. Whilst I lived away during the week, the pull of Harrogate – and friends and family - brought me back almost every weekend.
My time in the NHS has opened my eyes to the hugely important contribution played by third sector and charitable organisations supporting individuals to live their best lives.
I am very pleased to join HADCA as a trustee working with the team and Board to ensure that we can support the vital work of charities locally.
Dr Phyl Hughes (Ripon Cathedral) (Vice - Chair)
I am based just outside of Ripon and I’m a Psychologist running my own business, specialising in senior teams, strategic change, and corporate Governance. I have been a faculty member and visiting Professor at two leading UK Business Schools.
I am closely associated with Ripon Cathedral having been a recent member of ‘Chapter’ [essentially the board of directors] and now sit on the audit committee and the Rural Affairs Committee.
My work sees me regularly travelling between Glasgow, Salford, London and Leeds.
My pastimes include cycling, Pilates, gym membership, my dog, my friends and family. Born in Liverpool, educated at University at Leeds and post graduate level at Cranfield, I am committed to the North. I am a member of various forums and pro bono coaching exchanges, having been based back in Yorkshire since 2010.
I am a chartered surveyor by profession and currently lead the Facilities Team at the University of Leeds. I have worked in various property roles in both the private and public sector including retail and banking.
My passion is finding ways to use buildings and places to make a difference to people’s lives and increasingly to ensure that this is done in a way that addresses climate change issues and looks to create sustainable communities. In this context, I chair two organisations involved in the built environment; Architecture Design Scotland and The Built Environment Trust based in London.
I hold other non-executive roles but in particular I am a Trustee for the National Museum of Scotland and Chair the Board of Trustees for the Huddersfield University Student Union.
James Plummer (The Avalon Group)
I have worked in social care for over a decade, with previous experience managing Community Planning departments for construction companies, and managing executive remuneration within the financial sector.
I currently work at Avalon Group in Harrogate, and have been there since 2014. In that time I have managed various departments such as Marketing, Communications and Fundraising. My current role is the Business Development Manager, helping Avalon to grow its services and develop income streams through new contracts, property development and non-statutory funding such as grants and trusts.I’m passionate about creating opportunities, and seeing people achieve their dreams and aspirations when they are able to access the right support; that’s why I love what I do and why I became a Trustee for HADCA; to be able to support more local people through the development and growth of important community services.
At home I love to read and cook. I have a 4 year-old son, Charlie, who I spend most of my time with. Like me, Charlie loves The Muppets, and so on weekends we can often be found putting on silly puppet shows and making up even sillier songs. With whatever time I have left I also write musicals for primary schools around the UK, with a particular focus on productions for SEN schools, aiming to make theatre and performance accessible to all; something that I’m very passionate about.
Alistair Ratcliffe (Rotary Club of Harrogate)
My career was mainly as an agricultural adviser in MAFF and DEFRA. As a trained facilitator in total quality management I was involved in the creation of three organisations within DEFRA. Finally I headed up the planning/ reporting team at Natural England.
I was a school governor for several years. I continued my membership of Rotary on retirement and have been president twice. Currently I chair the Community & Vocation projects within the Rotary Club of Harrogate. I am also a trustee on the Finance Board of Vision Support.
Throughout the Covid lockdown I was instrumental in setting up a team, through Rotary, providing meals for vulnerable people working with the Oatlands Community Group and organising the donation of funds to 12 charity organisations within the HADCA group. I was also a volunteer at the Harrogate vaccination centre.
Over the last two years I have got to know some of the HADCA team and been impressed with what they have achieved. I would like to increase my involvement and believe I have skills and experience to contribute. Being a HADCA trustee will help to strengthen Rotary’s connection with and support to our local community.
Cllr Sam Gibbs (North Yorkshire Council representative)
I was born in Darlington and moved to Harrogate in 2014 following six years at University in Scotland graduating with a BA (Hons) in History and an MSc in International Politics.
Working in local Politics, I was elected to Harrogate Borough Council in 2018 representing the Valley Gardens ward. Being Chair of the Council’s Voluntary and Community Sector Liaison Group for five years has enabled me to get involved in volunteering in the community. I’m looking forward to getting more involved with local voluntary and community groups through my work with HADCA.
Away from work I am usually found playing cricket or rugby.
