The Emmaus UK Board of Trustees is made up of representatives from across the federation, as well as independents who bring key skills and experience to the board. All of them give their time and expertise to help Emmaus UK to support the federation of charities in the UK to be the best they can be.
Jill Garner - Chair
Jill is an experienced leader of organisations tackling disadvantage and poverty.
She has worked as a director (executive and non-executive) in social care, education, community development, international development and housing.
Jill’s experience ranges from being founding chair of two small charities tackling violence against women and female genital mutilation, to being director of operations for 40 services for disabled adults, along with residential schools and community programmes. It includes visiting international programmes promoting community empowerment and mentoring social entrepreneurs.
Her recent trustee roles include a housing association and an international NGO and her current roles include being a trustee of a mediation service and involvement in a refugee charity.
Jill is new to Emmaus and is very much looking forward to meeting more Companions, volunteers, staff, trustees and committee members across the UK.
As chair of Emmaus UK, she hopes to see the rich experience and creativity within the federation shared more widely and increased working with others to achieve greater impact.
Katrina Mattock - Vice Chair
“I have valued the opportunity to use both the business and softer skills I have gained along my life journey to benefit Emmaus companions.”
Katrina has recently retired after 13 years as Community Leader at Emmaus Leeds. Before working for Emmaus she worked for Skipton Building Society while simultaneously volunteering for the Samaritans for 40 years. It was the combination of working in business and the voluntary sector which inspired Katrina to join Emmaus.
Michelle Pietsch- Treasurer
Michele brings a wealth of experience in senior finance roles across the private and charity sectors. She was previously a Finance Director on the board for a charity developing social housing in Africa and Asia and is currently a CFO in a Renewable Energy business.
Her expertise lies in strong financial governance and financial planning. Michele is looking forward to working with Emmaus in supporting them to develop communities across the UK.
Andrew Kilburn - Trustee
Andrew spent 35 years in local government working in a range of administrative, policy development and managerial posts. The final 15 years were spent as Chief Executive of three different local authorities.
In retirement, Andrew joined the Board at Emmaus Mossley in 2012 and became Chair in 2019.
Andrew is also the Chair of Pinnacle Learning Trust, a multi academy trust based in Oldham comprising a primary school, an 11 to 16 school and a sixth form college.
Jo Henney - Trustee
Jo has led particularly high-profile services for Government to support delivery of important public policies in criminal justice and immigration sectors, as well as management of projects, rapid action teams, and bid submission teams.
A highly experienced operator across a wide range of complex custodial sectors including prisoners, young offenders, juveniles, women, immigration, adult and children’s social care. Leading by example through hard work and dedication, Jo coaches teams to innovate and continuously improve and has proven to be an outstanding leader who enjoys developing and coaching individuals to achieve their maximum potential. She employs courage and determination to ensure good ideas turn into business practice.
Currently Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Governance Officer at Nugent, Chair of Trustees at Emmaus Merseyside, and Chair of Governors at Kirkby High School.
James Foster - Trustee
James has spent most of his career working in international development, for a range of public, private, philanthropic and non-profit organisations, with both executive and board roles. He started his career with the CBI in London before moving into the UK government – Department of Trade & industry – in economic and policy analysis roles.
James brings deep experience of strategy and systems work, as well as of organisational development, design of grant-making activities and monitoring, learning and adaptation. He is excited to be bringing some of these skills to use in a UK context and for a dynamic charity like Emmaus, where he hopes to learn about some of the challenges facing marginalised groups in the UK and how these best can be tackled.
Matt Simkin - Trustee
Matt has been self-employed as an HR and management consultant for over thirteen years helping a wide range of organisations develop and deliver people strategies and EDI initiatives. He previously worked in museums, the NHS and the housing sector – for one of the largest housing associations. It was during this time that he became aware of the complexities of homelessness and social exclusion.
He was a trustee of his local Citizens Advice Bureau, Chair for three years and Vice Chair for a further three as well as establishing and chairing the HR sub-committee. Matt helped the volunteers and staff to continue developing services for local people during a time of reduced funding.
Matt is new to Emmaus and, as chair of the newly established Emmaus UK People & EDI Committee, is looking forward to working with volunteers, staff, trustees and committee members to the benefit of Companions and to widen the awareness of homelessness.
Mark Lister - Trustee
Mark has been a Trustee of Emmaus Leeds since December 2018 and has been the Chair of that Community since September 2022.
Mark’s background is in the Financial Services sector having spent 23 years a Corporate Finance Director and Partner for International Accounting firms before setting up his own consultancy and investment business which invested in small businesses within the food and drink sector. This experience is particularly relevant to the fundraising and allocation activities of Emmaus UK, as well as the Finance function as a whole.
As well as his finance experience Mark served 9 years as a Governor of Leeds Trinity University where he chaired the Finance Committee and has held non Executive Director roles in several of his investee companies.
He is looking forward to representing the interests and views of the Emmaus Communities on the Board as well as helping Emmaus UK to develop their role within the UK Federation and the Emmaus movement worldwide.