Introducing new CG board members
Remember this smiley lady. She’s Karen Lawton - a long standing board member with an infectious smile. In fact, I have reason to believe it was this smile that helped us find not 3, not 4 but 5 new directors to join the Create Gloucestershire board. 3 of them have already started in their roles and the others will be joining us at various dates throughout 2024.
Read on to find out who has joined us so far.
Welcome to:
Matt Little: Chair
“I’m a founder director and Head of Impact at the Real Ideas Organisation CIC, and also a director of several other community-focussed social enterprises, including We Can Make CIC in Bristol. My expertise at board level relates to partnership, impact and innovation in the creative, community and education sectors, and I have worked across the SW for many years – on community regeneration schemes, development of heritage buildings and delivery of large-scale support programmes for young people.
We are all creative in our own ways and we all have such potential, but we don’t all have the same opportunities for this to be expressed or realised. It is great to be working with colleagues at Create Gloucestershire to positively address this challenge.”
Helen Hyde: Director
I’m originally from The Netherlands and have been in the UK for 20 years, I live in Dursley and have a busy family life as a stepmum/ mum of four and a baby granddaughter. My professional background is in Sales and Marketing in the food industry for companies and brands such as Unilever and Mars. I am now self-employed and enjoying this new challenge. My son Jimi has severe epilepsy, learning difficulties and anxiety, so the purpose of Create Gloucestershire is close to my heart.
Paul Hooper: Treasurer
I have lived in Gloucestershire my whole life. I'm a chartered accountant and spent most of my career in IT and financial services. I believe that true collaboration and partnerships are the best way to drive social change that deliver long term positive sustainable outcomes. Since retiring my aim is to use my skills and experience from a career spent in the commercial business world to make a significant positive difference to the communities within Gloucestershire.