VIC Trustees
Ronnie Barker MBE - Chair & Director
Picture courtesy of Liz Henson
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ronniebarker@vic.org.uk
Ronnie retired as Managing Director of the Suttons Group of Companies in 2005 and concentrated on his Voluntary Activities which first started as a Gymnastics Coach for over twenty years starting in the mid-seventies, and led to his involvement at International level in Sports Acrobatics and Tumbling. In 2002 he was one of the Founder Members of PEER Support (People Encouraging Enterprise in Rossendale – based on the principle of the Sirolli Institute) and for 10 years he was chair of over 100 Volunteer Members throughout that period who collectively supported one ‘Paid Enterprise Facilitator’ to help over 750 Businesses to Start or Expand. He became a Governor of Alder Grange School in 2003 being Vice-Chair of Governors for seven years prior to his election as Chair in November 2016. Through his involvement in Health Related matters, as part of the Community Health Group, he was asked to help to set up and Chair the Waterfoot Group of Doctors PPG (Patients’ Participation Group). This led to an invitation to represent Patients on the Rossendale Locality CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) and fuelled his vision to link all nine GP Practices in Rossendale by forming a Rossendale PPG Network feeding into an East Lancs wide Body. When VIC (Veterans In Communities) was Incorporated in September 2012 Ronnie was invited to be a Trustee Director and elected to Chair the Board of Trustees which gave him the opportunity to use his contacts through Business, Education and Health to support the work of the VIC Operational Team. Ronnie has two grown children and three grandchildren and allocates as much of his free time as possible transporting and watching their sporting activities. Ronnie received an MBE Award in the 2015 Queen’s New Year Honours List for his services to the Communities of Rossendale. |
Barry Payton MBE - Secretary & Director
Picture courtesy of Liz Henson
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barrypayton@vic.org.uk
Barry has lived in Rossendale all his life. He is married to Kath who is a nurse and they have 2 daughters, 2 sons and 9 grandchildren. Barry worked for 30 years in BT before leaving in 1994 to try other things. In 1997 he met some like minded people whose aspiration was to make some improvements in the local community. He was instrumental in the concept, development and management of Haslingden Community Link and Children’s Centre. Now retired, Barry is active as a School Governor at St Mary’s RC Primary School, a member of the Patient Participation Group at his Doctor’s Surgery as well as being a Trustee/Director of Veterans in Communities. Barry was awarded an MBE in the 2014 New Year’s Honours List for Services to Children and Families. |
Bob Smethurst
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I am Major Bob Smethurst and I believe that I am well qualified for my role as a trustee of VIC, both because I am a veteran myself and also since I am a member of the local community too. I have served for 20 years as a regular (RAOC/RLC), leaving on Voluntary Redundancy and have now served for a further 20 years as a reserve.
Indeed, not only am I a veteran but my wife is also a veteran (ex RAF nursing sister) and my son is too, having recently been medically discharged, following service in Afghanistan. My specialty is HR and I currently work part time in RHQ The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, as a Civilian Engagement Officer. In this role I have dealings with numerous organisations across the NW and this means that I am especially well placed to bring the military and civilian communities together, to their mutual advantage. I am passionate about my job and will happily use my network of contacts to help anyone to make the transition from military life to becoming a civvy. Since leaving the regular army I have worked as an HR manager with both the NHS and Boots the Chemists Logistics. Born in Lancashire I am proud of my heritage and I have lived in Rossendale since leaving the regulars in 1994. I hope that you agree that this makes me a true “Veteran in the Community” and look forwards to using my experience to the benefit of the VIC team. |
David Peat OBE, BA, CPFA, FCCA, MHSM
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David was born in Rossendale Hospital and educated at Haslingden Grammar School. He attended Leeds University and graduated in History. Subsequently he qualified as an Accountant whilst working at Manchester Corporation, later working for Stockport and Knowsley Councils.
He joined the NHS in the early 1980s, working at Regional level and locally in East Lancashire for almost 30 years as Director of Finance and Chief Executive. He was awarded an OBE for services to the NHS in Lancashire in 2008 Since retiring, he has provided Consultancy Services to Central Government, the NHS, the Private Sector and mentors Chief Officers in the Public Sector. He has an Honorary Fellowship at Manchester Business School, is a Parish Councillor, Vice Chair of Governors at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Blackburn and is a member of Blackburn Cathedral Council. His wife Theresa is also from Haslingden and they have two grown up sons. |
Barry Hyde
Picture courtesy of Liz Henson
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barryhyde@vic.org.uk
Promotions and Bookings Co-ordinator Prior to my retirement in 2011, I was a Textile Design Tutor, teaching within the School of Materials at The University of Manchester. For the last 5 years, I was the Technical Services Manager responsible for staff, facilities and capital projects within the School of Materials. On retiring, as I have a passion for Rossendale and Bacup in particular, I began to involve myself further with community groups. [Read more] |
Councillor Marilyn Procter - ROSSENDALE CHAMPION FOR THE ARMED FORCES
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Jo Shakeel
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Councillor Alan Woods
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