Trustees

Professor Simpson is Vice-Chancellor at Teesside University. Graduating from Teesside University with a degree in Politics and a PhD in Criminology, he has written and researched in the fields of Youth Crime, Criminal Justice and Drug Use. Professor Simpson was previously Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Business & Law and then Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching). He has an international reputation and is known for his work in educational digital transformation. He is a regular keynote speaker at international learning and teaching conferences and was awarded Adobe’s Digital Literacy Thought Leader. He is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts (FRSA).

Originally from County Durham, Helena has lived in Teesside for nearly 20 years and began her career at MFC Foundation after graduating from the University of Sheffield. After various roles within the charity, Helena headed up the Foundation for six years before moving to the Club in 2022. Helena now holds the position of Chief Operating Officer, where she oversees the day-to-day operations of the club. Away from MFC, Helena was the first female non-Executive Director of North Riding Football Association and currently chairs Borderlands, an Arts Council England community project which delivers creative activities across Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland. Helena is delighted to serve as a Trustee of MFC Foundation.

After a management career that has taken him to Panama and Switzerland, Neil initially joined Middlesbrough Football Club in 2007 as Chief Operating Officer to review the club’s operational and commercial activities, including all customer-facing aspects. He was made Chief Executive in March 2012 after nine months doing the job on an interim basis. Neil had previously worked with chemical companies such as ICI and more recently Syngenta. Neil is delighted to be a trustee of MFC Foundation and thinks the work carried out by the Foundation has fantastic benefits for the community. Neil believes it is important to raise aspirations of young people and adults across Teesside and firmly believes the work of the Foundation is making a positive difference.

Robin was born in Stockton-on-Tees and has lived in the Teesside and surrounding area all his life. He is a solicitor and, following being a partner initially with Jacksons and subsequently Dickinson Dees, he now works as Group General Counsel for The Gibson O’Neill Company Ltd. When Senior partner at Dickinson Dees, he was an active member of CBI North East, where he served as Chairman, and NECC, where he was on the Regional Council. He is currently a Governor of Teesside University. Robin is passionate about Teesside and believes the work of MFC Foundation is one way to assist in raising aspirations of those who live here through the power of football to engage communities in ways that others are unable to do.

Graham is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser and is a director of The Gibson O’Neill Company Limited, the holding company of Bulkhaul Limited, Middlesbrough Football & Athletic Company (1986) Limited and Rockliffe Hall Limited. Graham qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1978 with a small firm in London before joining Price Waterhouse. He transferred to Leeds in 1984 and became a partner two years later, specialising in tax. In 2003 Graham transferred to PwC’s Newcastle office to take responsibility for the tax practice there, and in 2007 he took over responsibility for the tax affairs of the Gibson O’Neill group and Steve Gibson. On retirement from PwC in 2009, Steve Gibson invited Graham to join the group.

Reverend Canon Adam is 39 years of age, was born in Middlesbrough and brought up in East Cleveland.  On completing his education at Warsett Secondary School in Brotton, he attended the Prior Pursglove College from where he gained a place to study Theology at St John’s College, Durham University.  On completion of his first degree, he studied for a Master’s degree in Church History. He was ordained in York Minster in June 2005 and was appointed to work in the Parish of Acscention, Berwick Hills, Middlesbrough, as a Curate.  In 2009, he was appointed to his present position, as Rector of Loftus-in-Cleveland and Carlin How. Reverend Canon Adam held the position of Chairman of Trustees at Unity City Academy in Middlesbrough from 2010 – 2017.  He also served as a Trustee of the Greensward Charitable Trust and thereby, as a member of the Academies Enterprise from May 2016 until July 2018.  In addition, he was a Governor at Whitecliffe Primary Academy School in Carlin How from 2009 until 2018.  He is now the Vice Chair of the Teesside Learning Trust and also a member of the Governing Board at Freebrough Academy. Reverend Canon Adam is active within the community of East Cleveland and has been a Trustee of the Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum since 2009 and is currently the Chairman. He is an active supporter of numerous other community and social groups within the East Cleveland area and has dealt with the Local Authority closely on a number of local issues, but was also the Chaplain to the Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland for the civic year of 2018 – 2019. In his spare time, he likes to keep physically fit by attending the gym and other outdoor activities.

A lifelong Boro supporter, Tom is a red book season ticket holder from a family of obsessive Boro fans that his Dad passed on once he could walk. He’s been there at the lows and the highs with the magical Carling Cup win in 2004 springing to mind. The household mood has always been directly linked to the Boro result. Throughout his career, Tom has been trying to help regenerate the North and improve the life chances of young people who need a bit of help, and so the Foundation and its work was something he wanted to support. Having been in care himself as a toddler and been lucky enough to grow up in a loving family environment despite the health challenges of his parents, Tom has always been very aware of how a bit of support at the right time can make a big difference. The Foundation’s great work to support Middlesbrough and the local community is something he’s 100% committed to.

As a Solicitor and General Counsel of The Gibson O’Neill Group Limited, Nigel has spent 32 years as a Real Estate Solicitor at Dickinson Dees, which became known as Womble Bond Dickinson. Having held several non-executive directorships and trusteeships, he was very keen to become a trustee of MFC Foundation. Nigel is a lifelong fan of Middlesbrough FC and is proud of the brilliant work the Foundation has done in the past. He hopes to use his non-executive and legal skills to help drive the Foundation forward and help continue our great work in the Teesside community.

Hollie is a Partner at Ward Hadaway LLP, specialising in employment law. Hollie also serves as a Chair of the FA’s National Serious Case Panel, where she adjudicates on misconduct in grassroots football, which plays an important role in promoting equality and diversity within the game. She has recently completed five years as a Trustee on the board of a local children’s charity, having previously served on the board of a local college. These roles have further strengthened her commitment to supporting organisations that make a positive difference in our community. Born and raised in Teesside, Hollie is passionate about giving back to the area. She sees the Foundation as an important part of the Club’s social responsibility and is proud to join the Board and contribute to its work.

Liam is a solicitor with extensive experience advising organisations on legal, governance and regulatory matters. Having trained and practised in the North East, he worked with a wide range of clients, including charities and not-for-profit organisations before moving into senior leadership positions within major UK businesses. He is currently UK Legal Director at Taylor Wimpey plc. Born in Middlesbrough and raised in Stockton-on-Tees, Liam has a deep connection to Teesside and is passionate about improving opportunities and outcomes for people across the region. He is a strong advocate for the role that education, wellbeing, employability and community engagement can play in helping individuals and communities thrive. A lifelong Middlesbrough FC supporter and season ticket holder, Liam is proud to serve as a trustee of the Foundation. He is committed to supporting the Foundation's vital work in creating opportunities, raising aspirations and improving lives across Middlesbrough and Teesside.

Joe is Director of Development at Yorkshire Sport Foundation, the Active Partnership for South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. He leads work that uses sport, physical activity and movement to improve lives, strengthen communities and tackle inequality. Joe has more than 20 years' experience across community sport, charities and grant-making organisations. Before joining Yorkshire Sport Foundation, he was Head of Funding at London Marathon Foundation, where he oversaw over £50 million of investment in projects that helped more people become active and access the various benefits of sport. Earlier in his career, Joe spent eight years as a consultant, helping organisations across the sport, physical activity, leisure and public health sectors to develop strategies, secure funding and build long-term capacity. Joe brings extensive expertise in fundraising, strategic development and partnership working. He is also a Trustee of Yorkshire Funders and a mentor on Sport England's Leading the Movement programme.

Linda brings extensive experience from across the social housing sector in Teesside, most recently as director of governance for a large social housing group, where she led on governance and regulatory compliance, assurance and risk management, health and safety, and a range of key corporate services. Throughout her career, Linda has held a variety of senior roles with responsibility for neighbourhood management, customer insight and engagement, complaints, and service improvement. She has also played key roles in major organisational changes, such as mergers, group consolidation and regulatory inspections. Linda is also a non-executive director for Auckland Home Solutions, a specialist social housing provider, and is a trustee and company secretary for Ann Charlton Lodge, a specialist care facility in Redcar supporting people with neurological conditions including Multiple Sclerosis and Motor Neurone Disease.