Although her family hails from Derbyshire, Kate only moved to the county in 2008 when her husband fell for a house on the internet. She splits her time between managing the small family estate near Matlock and acting as CEO of Saracens Multi-Academy Trust, setting up Free Schools in North London. Kate is a trustee and Vice-Chair of the Epilepsy Society and a qualified Citizens Advice Bureau advisor. A businesswoman, Chartered Surveyor and HR Practitioner, she was a member of the Derbyshire Police Authority and later chaired the Joint Risk and Audit Committee for the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner.

Jackie lives in Tintwistle, near Glossop and has one son a grandson and a granddaughter due in April 2023. Jackie grew up and went to school in Hadfield.

Jackie was a nurse for 40 years until she retired in March 2021, from her role as the Regional Chief Nurse for NHS England and Improvement for the North West. Jackie qualified as a Registered Mental Health Nurse in 1985 and as a Registered Nurse in 1987.

The majority of her senior career was spent at The Christie in Manchester where she was the Chief Nurse.

Jackie was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2021 for her services to Nursing and the Covid-19 response.

Jackie is a Trustee for the Edward Holt Trust which seeks ways to have a more strategic impact on disadvantaged people by assisting a number of homelessness projects with capital funds and support costs.

Andrew is Chairman and Senior Partner of Flint Bishop Solicitors and Chair Designate of Derby College . He is also the Under Sheriff of Derbyshire and sits on the Boards of Foundation Derbyshire and Hubbub Theatre

David retired as Chief Constable of Derbyshire in 2007, after a 32-year policing career. Since retirement he has worked as an independent advisor to the Forensic Science Service, and volunteered with various charities in the county and nationally. He was a long-serving trustee of Derbyshire Community Foundation and until recently served as a trustee of Mountain Rescue England and Wales. He was appointed High Sheriff of Derbyshire for 2014-15

Marvin is responsible for Toyota’s Manufacturing, Logistics and Production Engineering across Europe and is transforming Toyota’s European Manufacturing Operations in this once-in-a-century period of profound change.

Pete has a track record of growing businesses. Current founder & CEO of Cosy Direct which is a Queen’s Award winning business. He is chair of Cosy Foundation and Patron of Derby Kids Camp. Keen to promote Innovation, Corporate Philanthropy and Sustainability

Rachael is Chief Executive of the county’s Community Foundation, Foundation Derbyshire, a philanthropic adviser and grantmaker that connects donors with local voluntary and community groups and charities.

Rachael also serves as a governor for a local primary school.

Adam joined the Army as a private soldier in 1986. He has served on multiple operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan and is currently the Army’s Head of Personnel Reserves. He has extensive experience in transforming both military and civilian organisations. Having travelled the world for over 30 years, Adam now considers Derbyshire as his much loved home

John is Managing Director of Marketing Derby Ltd, the Investment Promotion Agency for Derby and Derbyshire which has attracted over 5,000 jobs and £500m of investment into the area.

Alan served with the Derbyshire Constabulary for 37 years until 2016, when he retired in the rank of Deputy Chief Constable. He remains active in policing and is currently involved in the training of the service’s senior leaders. Alan was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in 2012.

Paula started her career as a General Nurse, specialising in acute medicine, then became a Mental Health Nurse. She served as an Army Officer for 8 years in London, across SE England, North Germany and Scotland heading up mental health services for Forces personnel and their families and undertook operational tours of Bosnia in 1993/4 and 1997. Back in the NHS she led a drug and alcohol team, a mentally disordered offender service and developed a mandated drug treatment programme for offenders.
Paula then enjoyed a 19-year career in Higher Education, leaving the University of Derby last year as a Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of Health, Psychology and Social Care. She has championed widening participation, and strongly supports social mobility through health careers. Whilst at Derby she supported the Armed Forces family through signing (and re-signing) the Armed Forces Covenant and was a member of the Derbyshire Armed Forces Covenant board. She was instrumental in securing a Defence Employee recognition scheme ‘Gold’ award for the University and was part of the team that conducted the ’Hidden veterans’ research to discover who and where veterans were across Derbyshire, and their experience of transition and life within our county. She is Patron of the Derbyshire Alcohol Advisory service charity ‘Stand to’, and Director of the Soldiers Arts Academy cic which has enjoyed widespread engagement of veterans and their families across the UK using the arts to support recovery, rehabilitation, and employment.
Paula currently works in the area of Nursing and Midwifery regulation as a senior advisor and is a patient and partner voice on Derbyshire Health services Clinical Commissioning Group.

David and his family own the Cubley Estate near Ashbourne. Before he retired he was a land agent in general practice with Fisher German LLP. He remains involved in a number of organisations including a small property company where he is Chairman. David is a member of the Chapter of Derby Cathedral and sits on various diocesan boards and committees. His wife Jane is a retired Church of England priest, now with permission to officiate in local churches and elsewhere.

Kath joined the University of Derby as Vice-Chancellor in September 2015. The University has 34,000 students in the UK and beyond, operating sites in Derby, Buxton, and Chesterfield. Kath is also the Chair of the Derby Opportunity Area Board.

CEO of David Nieper Ltd., his family fashion company which has manufactured in Alfreton for 60 years.
Founder/chair David Nieper Education Trust, David Nieper Academy and Christopher Nieper Foundation.
Ocean sailor, tennis/squash player and beekeeper.

Luke is a dedicated husband, father of two, and the Managing Director of Acres Engineering. An apprentice-trained Chartered Engineer, he earned his Master’s Degree in Professional Engineering from the University of Derby. He actively collaborates with local schools, hosting student visits to provide hands-on insight into the manufacturing process and the diverse roles within the industry. 

Beyond his professional endeavours, Luke is deeply committed to supporting charitable causes and community projects. His leadership has also guided Acres to earn the prestigious Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, recognising the company’s ongoing advocacy and support for the Armed Forces community. Passionate about making a positive impact, Luke continues to drive initiatives that benefit both his industry and the wider community.

Theresa  retired as Head of Equality from Derbyshire Police in 2019 after a 27 year policing career across three police forces. She was Chair of the Derbyshire Black Police Association and is a previous Vice-President of the National Black Police Association.

A strong advocate of social justice, fairness and inclusion, she is the recipient of numerous national and local awards, holding positions on numerous Boards, is Vice-Chair on adoption and fostering panels and the Patron of Friends of Foston Hall.

Theresa was appointed High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 2023, attending just over 370 engagements with her theme of Unity Is Community.

Helen has lived in rural north east Derbyshire since 2016. She chaired Chesterfield Royal Hospital from 2014 to 2023. Following an executive career with the Environment Agency and Natural England, Helen now holds a portfolio of non executive roles mainly in regulation and professional standards. She is currently also President of the Derbyshire St John Ambulance.

Dr. Amo Raju OBE DL is one of the longest serving CEO’s of a user-led charity in the country, having been with Disability Direct for over 29 years. Since 1997 he has overseen the generation of more than £29m in grants, contracts and chargeable services. In 2022 Amo won the ‘Outstanding 3rd Sector Achievement Award’ at The British Sikh Awards and also recognised by the University of Derby by award of a Doctorate for his services to the 3rd Sector and Disabled People. As a disabled person from the South Asian community Amo has recently published a highly commended book called ‘Walk Like A Man’ based on his own secret battles with depression and the wider world. Recently Amo was awarded an OBE for services to disabled people, Carers and mental health and at the ITV National Diversity Awards 2023 after a standing ovation, Amo received The Lifetime Achiever Award.

Ruchita is CEO of Artcore, a rapidly developing international centre for art. Artcore excels in delivering a vibrant programme of cultural and creative activities for Artists and Communities.

Ruchita holds leadership positions in various sectors of the community enabling easy access to art and promoting diversity in the communities locally.

Married to Ian Sewell and proud mother of Matt Sewell.

With over three decades of leadership, Gillian has dedicated her career to creating opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to thrive. She spearheaded the rebuild of YMCA Derbyshire’s London Road campus providing housing alongside education and employment pathways for young people experiencing homelessness. Today, Gillian is driving the building of Foundry Point, 60 affordable flats for young people entering work.

Her vision led to the creation of Key College, providing vocational qualifications for 14–25-year-olds and Y Kidz, a childcare initiative now in its 20th year. With a nursery, wrap around care, holiday clubs and The Community Hub, YMCA Derbyshire plays an important part in supporting families and tackling hunger in the city.Beyond her professional achievements, Gillian’s resilience shines through her personal journey. Following the loss of her son to cancer in 2020 she established the Lewis Sewell Memorial Trust, to break financial barriers for talented young people pursuing careers in the performing arts. Partnering with West End stars, the Trust raises funds and awards grants to aspiring performers, fulfilling Lewis’ wishes and championing the values he held dear: courage, positivity and resilience.Gillian’s story is one of unwavering commitment to social impact and empowerment of young people.

James is the Assistant Headteacher at the Children’s Hospital School Leicester.
He was County Commissioner for Derbyshire Scouts (2016-2021). James is Chair of Trustees for Umbrella and Chair of Governors at Firfield Primary School.

He actively supports others charities: Derby City Mission, Duchess Theatre, Girlguiding Derbyshire and Royal British Legion, as well as bringing together the uniformed youth organisations in Derbyshire.

Oliver became Chair of Foundation Derbyshire in 2016, having joined as a Trustee in 2014. He was High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 2015-16. Also in Derbyshire he serves as a Trustee for the Duke of Devonshire’s Charitable Trust. He is a Director of Longcliffe Quarries Ltd. He lives with his family at Middleton by Youlgreave which has been home, excepting times away as a student and in early married years, throughout his life.

Oliver gained an MA (Hons) at the University of Aberdeen (80-84), and MBA at University of Warwick (89-90).

Jacqui works with Parish Councils in South Derbyshire and has previously held a number of Trustee positions on a variety of charities, both locally and nationally. Jacqui has been serving as a magistrate in Derbyshire since 2000. She is both a Presiding Justice in the Adult Court and Youth Court and was Chair of the Bench between 2022 and 2025. She is a member of both Derby City and Derbyshire Youth Justice Partnership Board. She is currently the Regional Youth Lead Magistrate for the Midlands. Originally from Cheshire, Jacqui is a long-term resident having lived and worked in Derbyshire for over 36 years.

Tony worked for 30 years at Toyota and held positions at European Executive level and on the UK Board. He has been active in educational and environmental initiatives, working with disadvantaged young people and in the community.

David is Chairman of national law firm Geldards LLP. He also has a range of other interests including board memberships of East Midlands Chamber, EMB Group, D2N2 LEP, and Nottingham Trent University.