Cllr Sir Steve Houghton CBE

Leader of Barnsley Council

I'm very pleased to take the Chair of the Barnsley 2030 Board. The membership includes some of Barnsley's key anchor institutions: the Integrated Care Board, the college, Berneslai Homes, the Chamber of Commerce, and many others.

The Board's role provides oversight for the delivery of the Barnsley 2030 strategy, and acts as custodians of our borough's story moving forward. We all want Barnsley to build back better and hep communities move on from the pandemic. The 2030 vision, it's ambitions and the activities that will come from that, which we will launch later on this year, will focus on the next nine years to make our borough a place where anything is possible.

Yiannis Koursis OBE

Principal and CEO of Barnsley College

I'm really proud to represent the college on the Barnsley 2030 Board. As the vice-chair of the Board I am delighted to work alongside a great group of people and anchor institutions from our town in guarding, promoting and advancing Barnsley's action plan.

This is a place-based partnership that will deliver the levelling up agenda and the 2030 vision. We will achieve this by focussing on our residents' lives, sustainability, learning and business growth.

Finally, being involved in this project will allow us, the college, to continue being at the forefront of skills development and ensure our curriculum is aligned to the needs of the area.

Adrian Waite

Chief Executive of the Business Village (formerly Barnsley Business and Innovation Centre)

Barnsley 2030 is a collaborative vision that every resident and business has had an opportunity to feed into, so I was pleased to be asked to help turn the vision into reality.

The Board’s role is to ensure that sensible objectives are delivered on time, and I expect to contribute in particular to the Growing Barnsley theme where our ambition needs to be high.

Amanda Garrard

Chief Executive of Berneslai Homes

I am proud to have been asked to be part of the Barnsley 2030 Board.

Although I work in housing, the work we do is much more than this and links well to the broader work that the Barnsley 2030 Board steer and oversee. I am particularly interested in how we grow Barnsley in its broadest sense – economically and physically – new homes and businesses within the borough. Growth brings with it opportunities to enhance learning, skills and jobs and provides the chance for tenants and residents to improve their circumstances and income.

I bring a wealth of social housing and community knowledge to the Board but also a passion to work with communities creating vibrant, diverse and thriving neighbourhoods.

Anthony Baker

Chief Executive Officer – The Civic (Barnsley)

Anthony is currently the CEO of The Civic in Barnsley, where he started in that position in September 2021.

The Civic is on a rapid trajectory of development, with its aim of becoming a significant arts centre for the region and beyond. This includes a capital development which will open the original front doors of the building and add additional infrastructure to the Eldon Street end, including bars and catering.

Anthony has worked in the arts for over 20 years, most recently as Executive Director and CEO at Freedom Festival, an ambitious and important year-round arts deliverer and major festival producer in Hull. Prior to that he spent almost 10 years at Dance City, transforming the organisation to one of great success in its dance programming, its further and higher dance education delivery and its community dance class delivery. Alongside this he supported many local and regional dance artists to make and tour their work nationally and internationally.

Anthony is excited and proud to have been asked to join the Barnsley 2030 board. Having recently moved to Barnsley he is keen to support the town and the borough to grow and develop, particularly around the cultural offer but also to develop economic opportunity and retain talent in the region.

Bob Kirton

Deputy Chief Executive at Barnsley Hospital

I’ve worked in Barnsley for over 10 years, and I love the place. There is so much pride here and it is great that we have been able to bring everyone together to ensure we focus our collective efforts in making Barnsley an even better place.

I’m passionate about improving our environment, I have a good understanding of how health works, and the Trust is one of Barnsley’s biggest employers so I’m hoping I bring insight around this too.

Carrie Sudbury

Chief Executive Designate of the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber

The Chamber currently has a membership of over 1,100 businesses across Barnsley and Rotherham. It engages widely on behalf of its members with a number of organisations and partners.

I have been within the Chamber for 10 years, and recently appointed as Chief Executive Designate. Over those years, we've assisted and enabled businesses to network, grow and thrive. Allowing them to become the best they possibly can be.

I’m delighted to join a vibrant board such as Barnsley 2030. They have already made such striking developments and enhancements for Barnsley. I’m honoured to be part of it and to be part of Barnsley’s exciting future. I’m passionate about economic collaboration and collectively thriving within business.

Emma Baines

Youth Voice and Participation Operational Manager

I've been a Youth Worker in Barnsley for twenty years and I’m also proud to live and work in the Borough.

Working with our young people gives me real insight into what future generations want from our town. They have aspirations for a thriving safe and welcoming place where they can earn a good living and live a good life with their families and friends. They want to hold on to the heritage of our town but also enable new and exciting opportunities which will secure Barnsley’s Future.

Young people want to improve their health and lifestyle choices in a place that works to protect the environment and offers services to people that are accessible, reliable and fair.

I’d agree that our Young People’s views and aspirations aren’t far from what we’d all like to see and I’m keen to ensure that we support them to be involved in making these things happen.

Emma Beal

Principal and Chief Executive Officer of The Northern College

I am an experienced education professional who has led, managed, and delivered across a broad spectrum of educational areas within South Yorkshire over the last 22 years. As Principal and Chief Executive of The Northern College, my role is to continue the proud and distinguished history of inspiring positive change through adult education.

I have recently joined the Board of Barnsley 2030 and I am excited to collaborate on such an important project that will have positive change for the students who come to the college as well as people who call Barnsley home.

Gill Stansfield

Deputy District Director General Community at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Hi I’m Gill, I have worked in many and varied health care settings in the NHS in Barnsley for over 40 years, and have lived here all my life.

Working in partnership with the people of Barnsley is something that ignites my passion, making a difference to support people to live their best life is what drives me in my daily work. Sustainability in all its forms is one of my particular interests.

My current role enables me to have a wide reach as a key local employer of over 1800 staff working in peoples own homes, clinics and other community buildings alongside our key partners and health and social care.

Jamie Wike

Deputy Place Director (Barnsley) South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB)

As a Barnsley resident and having worked for over 25 years in both the Local Authority and Health I am extremely proud to be a part of the Barnsley 2030 Board and contribute to the collaborative approach to delivering real improvement for the people of Barnsley.

Although I work in Health, as a Barnsley resident with children and parents also living in Barnsley I am committed to maximising the opportunities that we have through partnership working to grow the economy, improve the environment and make Barnsley a healthy and safe place to live – a town where people continue to be proud to live.

The Integrated Care Board for South Yorkshire, working alongside the Integrated Care Partnership is committed to addressing health in our communities, improving the quality of care for those who need it and improving the health and wellbeing for our whole population. I believe that working with partners through the 2030 Board will help to make sure that we can be successful in achieving these things.

Jane Holliday

CEO of Barnsley CVS

Hello, I am Jane and I have worked in the voluntary/charity sector for more than 25 years.

I really enjoy developing partnerships and alliances. I'm a proud resident of Barnsley and know, through experience, that there is a generous spirit of working together and getting things done here.

I'm the CEO at Barnsley CVS, and we provide support, representation, and information for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.

Each sector has different approaches, resources, strengths and weaknesses and it’s vital that we work together to get the best future outcomes for us all.

Jo Taylor

Operations Director at Barnsley Norse

Barnsley Norse is a soft facilities management company based here in Barnsley. We provide cleaning and caretaking services to facilities throughout the Yorkshire region, employing over 700 staff, and delivering services to key public-sector clients.

Being on the Barnsley 2030 Board is an exciting opportunity for me to contribute back to the borough and its communities, especially as I have lived and worked here for many years. I am looking forward to being part of this process and hearing from the whole Barnsley 2030 team whose multiple perspectives of industry and social life will be enlightening and enriching.

The Barnsley 2030 Board will help level up our economy, through increased opportunities for people, and help to make Barnsley a better place to live through sustainability, innovation, and infrastructure in the region. I am honoured to have been asked to join the Barnsley 2030 Board and contribute to Barnsley’s development and successful future!

Joada Allen

President of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce and Director of Visualised It Video Production

I am a local businesswoman, mother and stepmother. My interest in Barnsley runs deep as I have spent many years teaching the hardest to reach young people who are often from our care system or from families in poverty.

I was also once a business start-up with a big dream and no money and have seen how the right support can help individuals and businesses to grow dramatically. Recently as President, I have witnessed the Barnsley business community survive and thrive in the face of adversity. I've seen great things from individuals and institutions who are all proud to be from Barnsley.

I am objective in my thinking and always think inclusively, and I am often the person to ask difficult questions. There is no reason that we should be leaving people behind in our development for any reason. My role is to listen, understand the Barnsley 2030 plan and give my input, to benefit Barnsley and support an inclusive economy.

John Dowie

SYMCA - Executive Director, Infrastructure and Place

John Dowie joined The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority in August 2022 to lead the MCA’s work on Infrastructure and Place. He had particular responsibility for transport, housing, flooding and carbon reduction.

Prior to that John had a varied civil service career starting out in the UK Atomic Energy Authority. He spent time in the Department of Energy, Department of Trade and Industry, HM Treasury, the Scottish Government and the Government Office for the East of England. More recently, he was ten years in the Department for Transport, leading on local transport from 2006 to 2013 and then from 2013 to 2015 Director of Strategic Roads, establishing Highways England and producing the first Roads Investment Strategy. His last role in DfT was as Interim Director-General for all the department’s work on motoring, roads and local transport.

In 2016 John joined First Bus as Director to support partnership working across 14 companies. Over his time with the company, he dealt with the varied and interlinked challenges of the Bus Services Act 2017, air quality, road congestion and decarbonisation; with the National Bus Strategy and the financial challenges of Covid-19 taking centre stage from 2020 onwards.

Ken Merry

Co-Chair of the Barnsley School’s Alliance and Vice Principal for Quality at Barnsley College

I’m really pleased to have joined the membership of the Barnsley 2030 Board. I have joined the Board in my role as joint chair of the Barnsley Schools Alliance. Whose mission is to promote a joined-up approach to improving education.

Our goal is to ensure the very best educational outcomes for children and young people in Barnsley. We'll achieve this by working together through collaborative and partnership arrangements, Barnsley 2030 being an excellent example of this.

My 'day job' is at Barnsley College, where I am the Vice Principal for Quality. Barnsley College was recently inspected by Ofsted and graded Outstanding, making it one of only a handful of further education colleges in the country to achieve this grade. I’m keen to facilitate the sharing of best practice across all schools in Barnsley, support the Barnsley Council Education Improvement Strategy (2022-2025). Leading on the secondary phase, as well as looking to share best practice from the work that we do as a college where it would support schools to improve.

I strongly believe that every child in our borough should be studying at a school that is graded good or better by Ofsted. The challenge to the Barnsley Schools’ Alliance is to rapidly make this happen, and this will only be enhanced by working in wider partnership with colleagues on the 2030 Board. I can’t wait to get started.

Khaled El-Ahmad

CEO - Barnsley Football Club

Khaled El-Ahmad is the current CEO of Barnsley Football Club and will represent both the football club and the charity arm of the club, Reds In The Community, at our Board. Khaled joined Barnsley FC in September 2021 following an extensive worldwide career in the football industry. Khaled’s expertise lies in branding, marketing, events management and charitable work. He is keen to ensure that the football club are an integral part of our work as we strive to achieve our collective 2030 ambitions.

Matthew Stephens

Development Director at Quest Property and the Vice President of the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce

I am privileged to represent the Chamber of Commerce on the Barnsley 2030 Board. I have gained extensive experience in placemaking through maximising the potential of public spaces to help regenerate localities, create new jobs and improve skill sets within the local community.

I’m also a board member of the Principal Towns project which has set a strong foundation upon which to build the Barnsley 2030 vision. The role of the board will be to deliver the Barnsley 2030 vision, turning Barnsley into the place of possibilities.

My experience within the property development sector will complement the wider board membership. I will also provide a link through my role at the Chamber of Commerce with the local Barnsley business community which will enable the voice of the business to form part of the strategy that will drive the Barnsley 2030 project.

Richard Barnard

Area Manager for Yorkshire and the Humber RSPB

The RSPB is the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, working across the UK and globally to deliver our vision for a world richer in nature. I have been with the RSPB in Yorkshire for 10 years, managing our conservation work across Yorkshire and the Humber for the last two.

Barnsley is home to one of the UK’s great conservation success stories – the regeneration of the Dearne Valley from one of Europe’s most polluted post-industrial landscapes to a nationally important, nature-rich network of wetlands protecting homes and businesses from flooding, providing jobs for local people, and offering amazing, nature-rich recreation opportunities, alongside homes for wildlife. This beacon of hope was only possible because of genuine partnership working involving both organisations and local people, all with a shared goal of improving a place they care about for the benefit of all. Now until 2030 is a critical period for us to tackle the nature and climate emergency, for both people and wildlife, so I am excited to be a part of Barnsley 2030 working collaboratively with others to create the best future possible for Barnsley.

Sarah Norman

Chief Executive of Barnsley Council

I have been involved with the Barnsley 2030 work from the start and I am really excited to work with partners and communities across the borough to realise our vision to be the place of possibilities.

I see my role as ensuring that the council does everything it can to help the borough realise its ambitions and working with colleagues on the Board to seize opportunities and overcome any challenges that we face.

Sharon Thorpe

Service Lead at South Yorkshire and Makerfield Service Centre

I have been in the department since 1992, starting my career as a Work Coach. I’m experienced in a multitude of roles and I’m highly passionate about inspiring others to deliver quality and excellence.

I’m looking forward to collaborating to develop a clear vision and a compassionate service. I want to help change the lives of our claimants, their families and communities.

Simon Wanless

District Commander for Barnsley at South Yorkshire Police

I am Simon Wanless the police district commander for Barnsley. I’ve worked for South Yorkshire Police for over 20 years and previously spent 5 years working in Barnsley. I’ve had numerous uniform roles within the force and have worked across the county.

The partnership relationship in Barnsley is one of the strongest and most effective that I have experienced. I have no doubt that the scope and scale of expertise of the broad range of partners represented in the 2030 board will be hugely effective and a driver for positive change for the Borough. I am delighted to be part of it.

Torri Crapper

General Manager, Wentworth Castle Gardens (The National Trust)

I’m really excited to join the Barnsley 2030 Board as we look forward to the future together with a shared vision, and a collaborative and inclusive approach which puts people at the heart of Barnsley being the place of possibilities.

This shared vision and ambition for the future of Barnsley maximises our opportunities to work in partnership to really make a meaningful difference for the people who call Barnsley home.