Our Trustees

Back: Phil Edwards, Sue Abbott, Simon Banks, Victor Pomfrett, Audrey Rogers, Kate Fox, Anne Thorpe MBE
Front: Terry Wadsworth, Dave Thompson MBE DL

Who's Who?

Dave Thompson MBE DL- Chair of WDP since the launch.

Special interest: Social inclusion, equality & diversity, information, access, representation, and partnerships. Dave was chair of Warrington Disability Information Service and Warrington Committee for Disabled People. He was a trustee of Shopmobility and vice chair of Warrington Disability Sports Forum before all 4 organisations joined to form WDP.

He is the founder and current co-ordinator of DAD, and was a founder of the Cheshire Disabilities Federation. Dave has travelled widely across the UK and Europe promoting the development and sustainability of partnerships involving disabled people and carers. He is the Assistant Director of Inclusion & Partnerships at the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust and is head of their Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Unit. In June 2001 Dave received an MBE for services to disabled people and the NHS, in October 2006 he received an invitation to become a Deputy Lieutenant of Cheshire.

Victor Pomfrett - Vice-chair of WDP since the launch.

Special interest: Shopmobility. Victor has been a regular volunteer at Shopmobility for over 9 years and organises fundraising events. He is a member of WDP's Human Resources Committee. Victor was Chair of Shopmobility until the launch of WDP, he had previously held the posts of secretary and vice-chair.

Victor is an executive committee member of the Cinnamon Brow Community Association. He returned to adult education after taking early retirement due to illness and took a course in Advanced Management passing with distinction.

Anne Thorpe MBE - Secretary of WDP since 2005 and board member since the launch.

Special interest: Disability Forum and representation. Anne is a member of WDP's Human Resources Committee and represents WDP on various committees including Warrington Disability Forum where she has been the Vice Chair since 1978, Warrington Charities Trust Executive Committee Member since 1990, Griffiths Court Foundation trustee since October 2005, Disability Awareness Day Management Team, Warrington Partnership Hub and Warrington NHS Service Users and Carers Forum.

Anne was North West Development Officer for Arthritis Care for 18 years until she retired in 2001. She has been a Lay Panel Member of the Disability Living Allowance Independent Tribunal Service since 1992, and a volunteer with Riding for the Disabled Association NW Region since 1978 holding the posts of Chair of the Cheshire County and NW Region, Member of various National Committees, Regional Publicity Officer - Currently: Regional Publicity Officer & Cheshire County Chairman. In June 2006 Anne received an MBE in the Queens Birthday Honours list.

Audrey Rogers - Treasurer of WDP since the launch.

Special interest: Finances and Disability Awareness Day. Audrey worked as a financial administrator until she took ill health retirement. She is a member of WDP's Human Resources and Finance Committees.

She is a member of the DAD Management Team and was the treasurer of Warrington Disability Information Services and Warrington Committee for Disabled People until the launch of WDP. She had previously held the post of treasurer for Shopmobility in the late 90's.

Phil Edwards - Board member of WDP since the launch

Special interest: Disability Awareness day, Leisure Recreation & Sport, Human Resources and Mental Health. Phil is a member of WDP's Human Resources Committee. He is a member of the DAD Management Team and uses his musical skills and contacts to organise various elements of DAD including the launch event and Arts Marquee. He leads on various DAD Week events including Children's Party in the Park and is a member of the Site Management Team.

Phil was the Chair of the Disability Sports Forum until the launch of WDP. He is the co-ordinator of FINCH, a mental health charity, and has a special interesting in networking and advocacy services. He is a visiting lecturer at John Moores University.

Kate Fox - Board member of WDP since the launch.

Special interest: Equipment for independent living, disabled children and families and representation. Kate is a retired Chartered Physiotherapist and has been involved in the Pre School Playgroup Association setting up the playgroup in Warrington General Hospital. She worked at Hebdon Green Special School and was a founder member of Tamsley Grange Riding for Disabled Association Group and was the joint founder of the Neuro Muscular Centre in 1990, which works with young adults with Muscular Dystophy and allied Neuro Muscular Conditions.

Kate recently retired as a Trustee of Tamsley Grange RDA and Cheshire Disabilities Federation. She is currently a Trustee of the Griffiths Court Foundation and represents WDP at the Warrington Primary Care NHS Trust Service Users and Carers meetings and is a member of Warrington Disability Forum.

Sue Abbott - Board member of WDP since 2004.

Special interest: Communications, IT, websites and young disabled people. Sue attends WDP's Planet Blue Project and provides support to WDP's Management Team and co-ordinates DAD promotions to national charities.

Sue is Commercial Director of Skill Zone Ltd, a web development company based in Runcorn. Prior to founding Skill Zone she worked as a Training Centre Manager for a Cheshire-based Microsoft Solution Provider, and a Technical Sales Manager in the CCTV industry. Educated to degree level with twenty years of commercial experience, She is a Certified Microsoft Professional in Windows and a published writer of web site and product review articles in the trade press, and an active member of the Women's Institute.

Terry Wadsworth - Board member of WDP since the launch.

Special interest: IT and Access. Terry was a trustee at WDIS and has been a volunteer for over 8 years. Currently leads Information Technology and Communications Support, ensuring the day to day running and maintenance of our computers and telephone infrastructures. He previously spent 3 years undertaking access audit work for WDP, most notably, audits of all the HM prisons in the North West of England.

Terry worked for 12 years for Gandalf Digital Communications in Information Technology. He has 5 years experience as a volunteer for a Night Shelter Winter Homeless Scheme where he supported people and families affected by addiction problems, drug and alcohol abuse.

Simon Banks - Board member since 2006

Simon Banks joined Warrington Disability Partnership as a Trustee in December 2006. He and his wife Vicki are the parents of three children, one of whom has complex and multiple disabilities. Simon has an interest in all aspects of the work of WDP, but is particularly interested in developing the organisation’s product/service offering for younger children.

Simon works in the NHS as a Specialised Commissioning Manager with the North West Specialised Services Commissioning Team. In his career Simon has worked in the not-for-profit sector for the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and for Age Concern Cheshire. He joined the NHS in July 2000 as Chief Officer of Warrington Community Health Council and subsequently moved to Warrington Community Health Care (NHS) Trust and 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust in senior management roles, during which time he was seconded to work on the NHS Freedom of Information Act project and on the establishment of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health.

Simon has recently attained a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Liverpool John Moores University, passing the course with the award of a distinction. Simon intends to apply the experience and knowledge from this course and his working life to support the WDP team.

As well as a busy family and working life, Simon enjoys football, rugby (both codes) and cricket. He also has a keen interest in modern history, current affairs and real ale.