Our trustees
The Booth Centre is governed by a board of trustees who are appointed for terms of five years.
Robin Lawler - Chair
Robin is an Industry Consultant and Non-Executive Director with over 30 year’s experience in social housing. He holds a number of NED roles including Chair of Derive RP in Salford; Chair of Kirklees Council’s Homes and Neighbourhood Improvement Board and joined us as Chair of Trustees of the Booth Centre in April 2024. He is a Past President of the Chartered Institute of Housing and the founder Chief Executive of Northwards Housing.
Robin lives in Manchester, but has not forgotten his roots- he has had a season ticket at Anfield for 30 years enjoying good times and not so good. He keeps active by cycling and walking his two cocker spaniels twice a day.
Robin lives in Manchester, but has not forgotten his roots- he has had a season ticket at Anfield for 30 years enjoying good times and not so good. He keeps active by cycling and walking his two cocker spaniels twice a day.
Saj Akbar
Saj has worked in the recruitment and business coaching world for over 17 years and is the founder and Director of RACI Group, a business which specialises in niche/ business critical appointments through values based connections.
Saj has a long history of helping people realise a better future for themselves by combining her skills as an internationally accredited coach and knowledge of the recruitment industry.
The visions and values of the Booth Centre perfectly match her outlook on life and she champions that with the right support and tools, anyone can overcome their obstacles to build themselves a better future.
Saj also presents a business show on Rossendale radio and in her spare time enjoys weightlifting, MMA training and looking after her beloved dog Franki
Saj has a long history of helping people realise a better future for themselves by combining her skills as an internationally accredited coach and knowledge of the recruitment industry.
The visions and values of the Booth Centre perfectly match her outlook on life and she champions that with the right support and tools, anyone can overcome their obstacles to build themselves a better future.
Saj also presents a business show on Rossendale radio and in her spare time enjoys weightlifting, MMA training and looking after her beloved dog Franki
David Briggs
After ten early working years in a wide mix of roles including professional theatre stage management, residential children’s social work and running a pub – David joined the civil service. This led to a career of 15 years in business development and a further 10 years working with universities. David has held various Director positions leading successful, multi-million pound projects, teams and partnerships. Now as an independent consultant and coach, he provides support to a broad group of senior executives and leaders.
In earlier times David has chaired various youth and community bodies. He is married to Sue, a teacher. They have one son working as a computer research scientist and two cats. He has lived all his life in the North West near Manchester and has a particular interest in history and the city. David has supported the Booth Centre through the Manchester Sleepout and other activities since being introduced in 2010. He joined the board of trustees in 2020.
In earlier times David has chaired various youth and community bodies. He is married to Sue, a teacher. They have one son working as a computer research scientist and two cats. He has lived all his life in the North West near Manchester and has a particular interest in history and the city. David has supported the Booth Centre through the Manchester Sleepout and other activities since being introduced in 2010. He joined the board of trustees in 2020.
Megan Hadfield
Megan studied French, Spanish and Russian at the University of Sheffield, where she spent time abroad in Spain and Russia. She started volunteering at the Booth Centre in 2019 and continues to support the Centre through fundraising. During the first lockdown, she and two other volunteers raised funds through an online art auction.
Megan recently completed an MA in Criminology and published a report from her research on the links between homelessness and modern slavery.
When she has a spare moment, Megan enjoys swimming, pilates, and travelling to new places.
Megan recently completed an MA in Criminology and published a report from her research on the links between homelessness and modern slavery.
When she has a spare moment, Megan enjoys swimming, pilates, and travelling to new places.
Annie Kendall
Annie has worked for 25 years in the housing/homelessness sector, currently as a Head of Service at Yorkshire based Horton Housing. She has operational, strategic and financial responsibility for a number of accommodation and support services. She is a strong advocate for volunteering and have previously held positions as a Child & Youth Mentor and as a Befriender for older people.
She previously lived and worked in Manchester for over a decade and got to know about the fabulous work done by everyone involved with The Booth Centre. She also got actively involved by participating in events such as the Manchester Sleepout.
Annie joined the board in October 2022 and has recently joined the Strategy, Scrutiny & Risk Sub-Committee.
In her free time Annie loves spending time with family and friends, walking in the Yorkshire hills (although she’ll always be a Lancashire lass at heart), and finding new places to explore in her campervan.
She previously lived and worked in Manchester for over a decade and got to know about the fabulous work done by everyone involved with The Booth Centre. She also got actively involved by participating in events such as the Manchester Sleepout.
Annie joined the board in October 2022 and has recently joined the Strategy, Scrutiny & Risk Sub-Committee.
In her free time Annie loves spending time with family and friends, walking in the Yorkshire hills (although she’ll always be a Lancashire lass at heart), and finding new places to explore in her campervan.
Joshua McGarey
Josh is a chartered accountant and for the last ten years has worked for various accountancy firms, primarily providing tax advice to companies and individuals. He enjoys being able to make complex tax issues understandable. He uses his accountancy background and his experience gained working with companies of all sizes to support the work of the Booth Centre.
Josh has been involved with the Booth Centre since December 2018. He started off as a volunteer helping out in the kitchen, before being asked to join the board of trustees in August 2019.
In his spare time, Josh enjoys playing guitar, hiking, and cooking (though not all at the same time!).
Josh has been involved with the Booth Centre since December 2018. He started off as a volunteer helping out in the kitchen, before being asked to join the board of trustees in August 2019.
In his spare time, Josh enjoys playing guitar, hiking, and cooking (though not all at the same time!).
Sarah Nurton
Sarah has over 15 years' experience working in the charity sector, in marketing communications and fundraising roles.
She has knowledge of housing and homelessness issues, with previous roles at a social housing provider and as Acting Head of Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity which provided funding to organisations addressing homelessness across the city region.
She now works in the field of social value with experience at Transport for Greater Manchester. Her current role as Social Impact Manager for Wienerberger, the world’s largest producer or bricks and clay pavers. Sarah joined the Board in August 2022 and Chairs the Fundraising Sub-Committee.
She has knowledge of housing and homelessness issues, with previous roles at a social housing provider and as Acting Head of Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity which provided funding to organisations addressing homelessness across the city region.
She now works in the field of social value with experience at Transport for Greater Manchester. Her current role as Social Impact Manager for Wienerberger, the world’s largest producer or bricks and clay pavers. Sarah joined the Board in August 2022 and Chairs the Fundraising Sub-Committee.
Dr Patricia Gestoso
Dr Patricia Gestoso is an award-winning inclusion strategist, a technologist with over 20 years of experience in digital transformation with a focus on client service, artificial intelligence, and inclusive and ethical design of technology and workplaces, and a certified coach. She helps leaders and organisations to leverage diversity in their strategy so they can boost innovation and attract and retain talent.
Her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the tech sector have been recognised with the UK 2020 Women in Tech Changemakers award and she has been featured among the most influential women in tech in the UK in 2022 and 2023. She has been involved with several NGOs that look into increasing gender equality in decision-making as well as digital literacy in the area of artificial intelligence.
Patricia is Spanish and has lived in 6 countries on 3 continents. She joined the board of trustees in 2023.
Her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the tech sector have been recognised with the UK 2020 Women in Tech Changemakers award and she has been featured among the most influential women in tech in the UK in 2022 and 2023. She has been involved with several NGOs that look into increasing gender equality in decision-making as well as digital literacy in the area of artificial intelligence.
Patricia is Spanish and has lived in 6 countries on 3 continents. She joined the board of trustees in 2023.
Jay Mottershead
Working as a radio reporter for over ten years Jay covered news across the North West which led to interviewing hundreds of people and gaining several journalism awards. As well as working in radio, Jay has written for the Guardian, appeared on Sky Sports, Sky News, BT Sports, ITV and presented football shows on BBC Radio Manchester.
For the past four years Jay has been the co-owner and presenter of Manchester United YouTube channel Stretford Paddock which has over 740,000 subscribers. As well as Stretford Paddock, Jay also runs the Scotty and Motty podcast which focuses on topics such as addiction and mental health, it’s his work on this channel which has led to him being an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK.
A father of three, in 2022 Jay completed an MA in Documentary Production for TV, Film and Digital Media. His final project on the course Len’s Last Fight a documentary about the former boxer Len Johnson has seen him become involved in the campaign to erect a statue of the Mancunian, which has been backed by several politicians across the city.
A passionate Manchester United fan, Jay considers staying sober during the post Sir Alex Ferguson years one of his proudest achievements!
For the past four years Jay has been the co-owner and presenter of Manchester United YouTube channel Stretford Paddock which has over 740,000 subscribers. As well as Stretford Paddock, Jay also runs the Scotty and Motty podcast which focuses on topics such as addiction and mental health, it’s his work on this channel which has led to him being an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK.
A father of three, in 2022 Jay completed an MA in Documentary Production for TV, Film and Digital Media. His final project on the course Len’s Last Fight a documentary about the former boxer Len Johnson has seen him become involved in the campaign to erect a statue of the Mancunian, which has been backed by several politicians across the city.
A passionate Manchester United fan, Jay considers staying sober during the post Sir Alex Ferguson years one of his proudest achievements!
Alison Last
Alison is Head of Communications for Kellanova, the company that owns Kellogg's and Pringles. She has worked in senior communications roles at the organisation for 17 years, previously working in public relations in both the finance and retail industries. Alison recently completed a diploma in Public Affairs and a Women in Leadership Programme. She is passionate about the power of storytelling and the importance of creating an inclusive culture of belonging.
At Kellanova, Alison co-chaired the first Inclusion Council and led a Europe-wide communications programme to demonstrate leadership in accessible packaging and encourage other company's to make their packaging more accessible for blind and partially sighted people.
At Kellanova, Alison co-chaired the first Inclusion Council and led a Europe-wide communications programme to demonstrate leadership in accessible packaging and encourage other company's to make their packaging more accessible for blind and partially sighted people.