Business Giants Appointed to Our Board

Four business giants have joined the Board of WDP and our trading arm - the Disability Trading Company (DTC) - as Non-Executive Trustees.

Mark Seaborn, Managing Director of Pennington Choices; Carl Oates, Managing Director of MBS Site Supplies; Jamie Boyd, Managing Director of the Today Team; and Donna Ryan of Head of Quality Care at Castlerock Recruitment Group (CRG), will provide expert business support to our charity as we enter our 25th anniversary year.

“Mark, Jamie, Carl and Donna share a wealth of experience and entrepreneurial insight, having succeeded in creating or further developing the businesses they are now involved in,” says Dave Thompson MBE DL, our Founder and Chief Executive.

“Their expertise will help the charity and its trading arm to create a more sustainable future. Together, we all the share the same vision — promoting independent living for disabled people and making WDP self-sufficient and not simply reliant on grant aid.”

John Gartside OBE DL JP, who was appointed as our Chair last April, added: “I am delighted to be part of this quite wonderful charity. It’s delightful to see just how engaged with the town WDP is. The support we get from the town is inspiring!

‘I welcome the new Non-Executive Trustees’ appointment and appreciate their contribution to the organisation.”

Commenting on his appointment Mark Seaborn, Managing Director of Pennington Choices, said: “In a time when the need and demand for WDP services’ is rising and Government funding is decreasing, I look forward to working with Jamie, Carl and Donna to facilitate the growth of the DTC.

‘Our legacy will be to create a sustainable commercial business model for the DTC. It will be fit-for-purpose and ensure growth and profit, which will support the charitable arm of the organisation.

‘Personally, I will bring to the Board a vast understanding of public and voluntary organisations and a deep empathy for a business needing to see significant growth in a service-related business.

‘Social value is key to my organisation, Pennington Choices; joining the Board is another way for me to give back. Many of our housing clients have tenants who use the services the partnership provides. My goal is to leave WDP in a strong place for moving forwards into the next 25 years.”

Construction supplies giant Carl Oates was a sponsor at Disability Awareness Day 2015 and has enjoyed an alliance with WDP for over a year now: “This was the next natural step in cementing our partnership for the longer term,” he said.

‘Most of my career has been spent operating within sales and marketing roles, so there is an expectation on me to assist with the development of existing products and services, but also to assist in developing new propositions to ensure that growth continues. I was also proud to announce WDP as my Charity of the Year”.

Jamie Boyd of urgent delivery specialists Today Team added: “I’m honoured to be asked to help develop an organisation that does such good work and I’m looking forward to providing support to help them achieve their future goals.”

Donna Ryan, who previously worked in contract management and commissioning at Halton Borough Council for nine years, said: "I am delighted to be appointed to the WDP Board as it has tremendous values and delivers valuable services to individuals with disabilities and to carers.

‘It's an exciting time to be on-board with all the changes taking place with the Health & Social Care Act and the duties now imposed on local authorities, Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS. We anticipate greater collaborative working with commissioners and individuals alike.”

Dave concluded: “The business knowledge and skills of all four people has already added new energy to both teams at WDP and DTC Boards. It’s great that they all share the vision and passion to continue the development of our services."

Published: 27/01/2016