Our Team

Former Head Teacher, Willie Slavin is Chair of Trustees, and a Trustee of Howgill Family Centre. He is also engaged in a number of community initiatives in support of families in need of support. He Chairs the West Cumbria Child Poverty Action Group and is also Chair of Governors of St Benedict’s Catholic High School.

Russell was Chief Executive of Howgill Family Centre from 2000 to 2012, building the organisation to become a provider of Ofsted Outstanding services with a strong local identity and a National reputation for innovation and quality. During this period developed the idea for the re-development of the Foyer site with the Howgill Trustees. A partnership emerged with funders, statutory bodies and Impact Housing Association, which was to carry the project forward. Engagement at local level was complimented by membership of Cumbria’s Children’s Trust Board.
After three years leading NHS children’s service across the County from 2013 Russell is now employed by University Hospital of Morecambe Bay as Associate Director of Operations for Core Clinical Services in South Cumbria and North Lancashire. He has been involved in the dream of ‘The Foyer’ from the start, securing the initial purchase investment, and continues to value his role as Trustee/Director.

Judy was born and raised in the south west of the county and was delighted to move back to West Cumbria following retirement a few years ago. As a chartered accountant she gained extensive experience of working in and with a wide variety of organisations in both the commercial and charity sectors. Never one to sit back in retirement, she is always ready to offer advice and practical help should the need arise and is committed to the success of our venture. Judy joined the Board in February 2017, and is also a Trustee of Howgill Family Centre.

David has been a member of Cumbria County Council since 1997. He represents the electoral division of Egremont and is currently cabinet member for Economic Development. David is a key voice on issues affecting west Cumbria and is the county council’s lead member for nuclear issues as well as skills’ development, economic regeneration and the council’s property portfolio. David is also a director of Britain’s Energy Coast, the Copeland Community Fund and a governor of West Lakes Academy in Egremont.

As a senior manager with Impact Housing Association, Anne is responsible for the delivery of Performance, Audit and Risk functions. In addition, Anne have has overall responsibility for all Impact’s Care and Support services, including supported accommodation in its Foyers for young people and also three Extra Care schemes for older people in around the county.
Anne has worked for Impact in this role since 2012. Prior to this she joining Impact in 2012, Anne spent many years in local government in both Cumbria and greater Manchester. Previous experience includes the delivery of affordable housing, homeless and supported housing services and housing strategy.

The majority of Sarah’s career to date has been in Social Housing. Initially with the London Borough of Richmond, she is currently the Social Enterprise Manager for Impact Housing Association. She works to develop social enterprise business with customers at the centre. The business includes County wide re-use projects and communities and Community hubs – both prioritise and support Cumbrian people. All services aim to provide training, work experience and employment opportunities. Sarah also has experience of Foyers and social enterprise business which sit within them.

Shelly is the Whitehaven Foyer Manager. She was previously employed by Britain’s Energy Coast and has over 28 years’ experience of developing and delivering new start and micro business support programmes in West Cumbria. Before joining The Whitehaven Foyer, Shelly also worked for Age UK West Cumbria providing strategic and financial leadership to a number of income generating projects within their Commercial Services Division.