Trustees
Meet our CEO and Board of Trustees
Phil Knibb
CEO
As CEO of Alt Valley Community Trust, Phil has over 35 years’ experience as a community activist. In 2003, he established the Neighbourhood Services Company as a social business to augment employment opportunities for local people. He is regarded as an influential and significant contributor to community empowerment, and has served on several working parties to devise policy and strategic planning frameworks.
Lesley Baugh
Lesley has worked in the vocational education sector for over 35 years, leading on quality and contract management of apprenticeships, study programmes, traineeships and adult community education. She is an expert in the early years and children’s workforce sector, and has contributed to a variety of organisations that support local communities.
Gerry Brennan
Gerry is committed to grass roots community development, and has over 35 years’ experience in youth and community work. He has worked across the city on a number of projects, including managing Croxteth Youth Centre from 1989-2011, as well as in the social housing field for the local authority and one of the largest registered social landlords in the North West.
Tony Jennings
Tony has wide ranging political experience, having held roles such as Merseyside County Councillor, Liverpool Labour Councillor and Leader of the Liverpool Labour Party.
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He has considerable achievements working with young people, given his background in employment and training projects, plus successful employment initiatives such as Future Jobs.
Alma Mason
Alma has worked in education for over 35 years, holding a variety of senior leadership and consultancy roles with schools, local authorities, and third sector organisations.
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Alma is an experienced facilitator of learning, having delivered a platform of leadership development and coaching programmes. She also assesses participants on National Leadership programmes and is Chair of Governors at a local primary school.
Dr Brian McDonough
Brian is an academic researcher, sociologist, and course leader of Sociology BA at Solent University, Southampton. Brian has numerous academic publications, including the textbook Social Problems in the UK.
Brian has worked on a number of grass roots projects, supporting community work and charities both locally and internationally, and has previously consulted on NHS funded projects in London.
Having attended primary and secondary schools in Croxteth, Brian is committed to supporting the Trust’s activities so that positive outcomes are secured for local communities.
Tony Rimmer
With a background in engineering and business analysis, Tony was elected as a Liverpool City Councillor for Croxteth in the 1980s, serving on committees for housing, education, and social services, amongst others.
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Tony is an active retired member of the Communications Workers Union, and Branch Officer of the Merseyside UNITE Communities Branch.
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As a committed socialist, Tony works tirelessly to achieve social justice for all.
Sheila Sweeney
Sheila has always been an active member of the community, volunteering with the Credit Union and Citizens’ Advice Bureau. She returned to education as a mature student, and trained as a social worker. Sheila has extensive experience in developing community projects which empower individuals and enhance their confidence and capability, as well as delivering courses in social sciences and radical community development.