Our Board of Trustees

Our Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall control and strategic direction of VAST. They meet regularly to discuss, decide and review our strategies and policies and receive reports and updates from senior managers.

Neil Dawson

Neil has been a trustee of VAST since 1998, and has been the Chair since 2006. A committed socialist, believing in the usefulness of real partnership working, having worked in the private, voluntary, co-operative and state sectors, and was a foster carer for nearly 20 years. He is governor at two schools and a director of The City Learning Trust. He is also a Trustee of the Burslem School of Art, Bradeley Community Centre and Ford Green Hall Museum. Neil has also served as a City Councillor for 11 years. Enjoys most sports, walking, reading and has a keen interest in science. Neil is very passionate about Port Vale Football Club.

Mark Barnish

Mark is a Chartered Accountant. Until April 2009 he was a partner in the then top seven accounting firm, Baker Tilly (now RSM), having formerly been a Partner with KPMG and he has been a Trustee of The Dudson Centre since formation of the charity. Mark has active community involvement including being a Council Member of the North Staffs Chamber of Commerce up until April 2009. He was a founder trustee of the Staffordshire Community Foundation and is a trustee of VAST and a former member of the University of Keele Audit Committee. Following his retirement from profession life Mark took on consecutive roles as Finance Director, initially with, Saint John of God Hospitaller Services, and latterly The Camphill village Trust. These were both Charities which provide holistic health, social care and specialist support to many of the most vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalised people throughout the UK. Mark fully retired in 2019.

John Beech

John has been a trustee of VAST since 1992. An active member of the Stoke community, John is passionate about the CSO and has served as an elected Council member in the past. John is Chair of both STAND (Stoke-on-Trent Advisory Network for Disabilities) and also the Basford and Cliffe Vale Residents Association. Previously, John has served as the Chair of the North Staffs Race Equality Council, stepping down after completing a three year term.

Victoria Hardie

After 12 years living in south west France, Vicki moved back to Stoke-on-Trent in 2019 to take up a position at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce. In her role, Vicki is responsible, alongside the Company Secretary, for managing all aspects of the company’s corporate governance including; election process, AGM and various industry forums. Vicki is also the account manager for the Chambers’ 27 Patron members, that represent some of the largest and most influential businesses in Staffordshire. For this exclusive and select group Vicki acts as their account manager, manages events and meetings and ensures their voice is heard at Government level.

Vicki lives in Stoke-on-Trent and enjoys reading, dancing, cooking, and walking in the fabulous Staffordshire countryside. Thanks to her time residing in France, her French is also trés bien!

Tim Edwards

Tim is an independent consultant, having experience of working in the public, private and voluntary sector, he specialises in social value, housing, skills and regeneration. Alongside his consultancy work, Tim holds Chair positions with a school trust, a local charity and an FE Skills provider, in addition he is also a Board member of a Housing Association. Tim has close connections with Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire and an advocate for stronger partnerships to support the transformation of the area and to maximise the potential of local people.

Lee WEST

Lee went straight from school into the British Army, where he served for ten years, travelling 4 continents. He particularly enjoyed the humanitarian role alongside the United Nations in the former Yugoslavia.

After service Lee travelled for a few years working in the media across the Mediterranean. Returning to Staffordshire he worked in a number of professional roles covering Training, management, sales and logistics. He has volunteered across the homeless, welfare and Veteran sectors, with the latter being his passion.

Lee has worked closely with Vast to establish Veteran Support Network C.I.C and currently sits as their Chief Executive Officer.

His family and dogs eat up most of Lee’s down time, although he enjoys art and music along with target shooting in good weather.

Lee was eager to join the Trustee’s board because of his passion for the Voluntary Sector, his enthusiasm and his belief in the principles and goals that VAST strive too.

Lesley Morrey

Director of Student Engagement and Partnerships at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group. Lesley is responsible for student experience at the College including Student Services and High Needs Provision. Lesley also is the Safeguarding and Prevent Lead and strategic lead for Equality & Diversity. Lesley was appointed in July 2015 following her previous role as Director of Curriculum at Stoke on Trent College. Lesley has over 17 years management experience in the FE and training and development sector and before this was managing registered nursing homes across the County. Outside of work Lesley enjoys the theatre, walking and spending time with her family