Our Dedicated Team
Patrons
Co-founder, Life President
Alan Johnson
The former Home Secretary and Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle MP, Alan helped Labour to an historic third term of office in 2005. He retired from national politics in 2017 but remains a firm supporter of CatZero.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston
In 1969 Sir Robin made history, becoming the first solo yachtsman to navigate the globe non-stop.
Jim Dick OBE
Following his participation in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, Jim was one of the co-founders of CatZero back in 2008. He presided as Chairman of Trustees from 2008 until his recent resignation in January 2023 and now holds the position of Life President.
Trustees
Deborah Oxley OBE
Chair of Trustees, Chair of the Health & Safety Committee, Business Development Committee, Remuneration Committee.
Born in Hull, Deb’s career took her through the ranks at Kingston Communications, now KCOM, onto the team of Cityimage and to the joint creation of a place marketing business that developed the ‘Energy Estuary’ brand. As CEO of the Employee Ownership Association from 2015-2022, Deb led the national campaign to increase the profile and impact of employee ownership (EO) in the UK economy. An influential and passionate advocate, Deb represented the UK EO sector with business groups, created partnerships within the industry and was pivotal in shaping EO focussed industry leadership groups. Since stepping down from the EOA after almost 10 years in 2022, Deb has founded Oxley Works, a specialist consultancy working with employee owned and purpose driven enterprises. Throughout her career, her success has been matched by a desire to effect and lead social change. Deb joined the Trustee Board of CatZero in January 2019, was awarded an OBE in the 2019 New Year’s Honours, and became a Deputy Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire in 2021.
Carl Andrew
Audit Committee, Health and Safety Committee, Chair of the Remuneration Committee
Carl is CEO and founder of Westwood Management Consulting, a new consulting venture which takes an innovative approach to problem solving.
As a professional interim, Carl has developed a wide-ranging portfolio of experience in various business sectors helping leaders engage positively with the change process. He is passionate about developing and delivering excellence in leadership and management. He is a Chartered Manager and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and is the Deputy Chair and Finance Lead for its North East, Yorkshire and Humber Regional Board. Carl was shortlisted for CMI’s 2022 Volunteer of Year Award. Driven by self-improvement, Carl has a love of reading and listening to podcasts.
Carl studied at the University of Hull where he gained an Honours Degree in Accountancy Finance and a Master’s Degree in Management Systems. Most recently Carl was awarded a Level 5 Certificate in Professional Consulting.
Jacky Bowes
Jacky’s life has been spent working within the Food Industry, with many years as Technical, Innovation and Compliance Director at Aunt Bessie’s Ltd and William Jackson Food Group until her retirement from full time work in December 2021 in preparation for her year as The High Sheriff of the East Riding of Yorkshire 22/23, which was a great honour and hugely rewarding.
Jacky also runs her own Consultancy business working with a significant number of food manufacturing businesses on product innovation, food safety management, business organisational reviews and business continuity planning, specialising in the management of process failures and product contaminations.
During Jacky’s year as High Sheriff she focussed much of her time raising the profile of the impact of Domestic Abuse and in particular how local businesses can help support their employees, she is also incredibly passionate about helping young people, especially those whose current situations are challenging and who deserve a brighter future.
(She is a Trustee of National Crimebeat, Chair of St John Ambulance Priory Humber and East Riding and an independent board member of the Employment Advisory Board at HMP Humber, where she is also working with them to gain White Ribbon Accreditation, White Ribbon being a campaign engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls. Jacky also is a board member of the Tribune Trust.)
She likes to travel, especially to France and is trying hard to master the French language. She also loves cooking, entertaining, gardening, golf and running (but not too far!) and is passionate about fundraising for the charities that are close to her heart. Jacky loves spending time with her Husband Andrew and their friends and is a committed member of both her local church and one in Marseille, France (mainly on Zoom!)
Dr Henrietta Boyd
Business Development Committee
Following a degree in marine biology, and a PhD in Ecology from Cambridge University, Henrietta worked in portfolio analytics and credit research for European Credit Management. Henrietta then spent 6 years as Director of Science and Research at Permian Global – developing the world’s largest forest protection and restoration project under emerging carbon markets. Henrietta has consulted on various policy frameworks, served on the REDD+ International Steering Committee for Social and Environmental Standards, and became a registered PRINCE2 practitioner in 2013.
With over 20 years of experience in collaborative multi-disciplinary projects, she is well-placed to work at the interface between environmental and commercial disciplines. Henrietta is currently working on bringing new technology to plastic recycling in a start-up company, and also has an Environmental Consultancy.
Henrietta has 2 children, and is a keen horsewoman and sailor. She became one of the first female members of the Royal Yacht Squadron in 2016. Henrietta is also one of the few women on The Court of The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers.
Joanne Hewson
Before Retirement, Joanne was a Deputy Chief Executive within Local Government. She has 25 years professional experience with the majority being at a senior management level. She has worked within the Private, Voluntary and Public sector, and has extensive knowledge and experience of Children’s Services having spent the majority of her career working with children and families and also holding the position of Director of Children’s Services. She has led many service areas to an outstanding quality grading. Joanne is passionate about ensuring that all children and families thrive and have the opportunities and skills to cope with everyday challenges. Joanne had led on many National and Regional Programmes; she was instrumental in moving children and family community health services into local government as part of the trailblazer within North East Lincolnshire, and also driving forward change being appointed Chair of the Regional Board for bringing Adoption services together across the Yorkshire and Humber Region.
During her career, she has completed many courses in management and leadership and is an advocate for restorative practice. She holds a Hons Degree in Education. Joanne spent a number of years teaching adults as well as owning her own Day nursery.
Since retirement Joanne has revisited her passion for gardening and loves spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Mark Sharpley
Chair of the Audit Committee
Mark is a recently retired Chartered Accountant, having been an equity partner at Smailes Goldie in Hull since 1988. Previous to his work with Smailes Goldie, he worked both in practice and commercially around the Hull area with a significant portfolio of Charity clients.
Living in Preston, to the east of the city, he has high regard for the ambitions of the Humberside region and passionately supports developments that promote this area. A family man with children and grandchildren, he believes that the ability to provide opportunity to young people as they progress in life has always been key to seeing anyone reach potential.
As for other skill sets, Mark strives to become a golfer, messes around with classic cars and has been a competitive rally driver and codriver in recent years. Travel and good wine are also on the agenda!
Simon Smith
Remuneration Committee, Chair of the Business Development Committee
Simon held leadership positions at various companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and Fox’s for 30 years before joining Seachill in 2009, and becaming CEO in 2014. After a few years of successful transformation and business growth the company was acquired by the Hilton Food Group in November 2017. Simon then joined Youngs in 2019.
In 2019, Simon joined 850 Food Group to lead the £1bn European Seafood Division fronted by Youngs Seafood. In 2021 following a period of acquisition and transformation, the sale of the business to Sofina Foods Inc. (Canada) was concluded.
In June 2022 Simon was appointed to the NED role of Vice Chairman Sofina Foods Europe.
Simon is also a Founder Patron of Grimsby Horizon Youth Zone, part of the national Onside Youth Zone project.
Office Staff
Adrian Tallon
CEO
Clare Bradley-Taylor
Business, Finance & Performance Manager
Roanna Benfield
Business & Sailing Support Administrator
Sailing Staff
Danny Watson
Co-founder, Director of Sailing & Skipper
Johnny Mercer
First Mate
Personal Development Team
Pete Tighe
Development & Partnerships Manager
Sarah Coulson
Programme & Implementation Manager
Tim Cahill
Personal Development Lead
Fiona Daggett
Personal Development Lead
Natalie Acton
Personal Development Team
Louise Bell
Personal Development Team
Suzanne Dalee
Personal Development Team
Neil Davison
Personal Development Team
Gail Howson
Personal Development Team
Moira Mann
Personal Development Team
Maria Oliver
Personal Development Team
“The staff led the programme without being judgemental or condescending. They helped the group to help each other at their own pace – this is the reason why we bonded.” A programme participant.