Project Manager

Sally Sutton

I’ve been in post now for 18 months and I’m constantly amazed and excited by the work being done by BME groups in Lancashire.

I started work in the voluntary sector in 1972 spending 2 years in India working with VSO. Whilst there I joined the Hare Krishna Movement and this remains a big part of my life. I returned to England in 1975, married and had 2 children. In 1979 we moved to California where I trained as a teacher. Returning to England in 1988 I moved to Accrington where my third child was born and soon afterwards I started work for Age Concern Hyndburn. I was there for 15 years as Deputy Chief Officer before moving to Carers Link as Project Manager and then to Lancashire BME Pact.

My work here is mainly strategic planning, financial planning and staff management. We are a strong team with each member of that team encouraged and supported to play to their own strengths.

Together we are dedicated to supporting the BME voluntary & community sector in Lancashire.

Development Outreach Officer

Jabien Kauser

I have been working in the BME Voluntary Sector for the last 4 years and previously worked in the public sector managing and developing government funded programmes.

In my current role, I have been working with diverse member groups from across Lancashire with one to one support in identifying organisational needs, finding funding, writing bids, arranging further support with business planning and governance etc.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of meeting so many talented and dedicated people, from all walks of life, who are now in the voluntary sector committed to making a difference to their local communities of interest.

I believe that by working together the BME voluntary sector will be in a stronger position to deal with the challenges the future holds and continuing to support the communities who need it.

Finanace Officer

Nisar Ali

I joined the team about a year ago.  My previous work experience has been in the private sector.  But I have always taken a keen interest in local community groups as a volunteer.  I passionately believe empowering young people and have helped setup EYE and IQRA.  EYE works in social and sports project for young people and IQRA is an education programme with trips abroad.  The last year has been a steep learning curve, but I have thoroughly enjoyed helping community groups with accounting and book keeping, business planning, income and expenditure, and with financial policies and procedures.

Senior Admin Officer

Alison Alcroft

I have had many varied roles within the travel and outdoor manufacturing industries since leaving college, where I studied Business & Finance.

More recently for the past 7 years I have worked within the BME Voluntary Sector here at Lancashire BME Pact and with Lancashire Wide Network.

I started my role as Senior Administration Officer for the Pact in April 2010, the work I am involved in is varied and includes day to day office admin and technology, minute taking, booking training and support for groups and staff and more recently being involved in the creation of our new website.

It is fantastic seeing you - our members prosper with the support we are providing through governance training, helping you set up as a charity and in searching for applicable funds for you to run for your project and help your communities – which in turn gives me job satisfaction.

Development Outreach Officer

Inessa Gee

I am Inessa Ivanova Gee and I am from Ukraine.

I was born into a military family and travelled the world as a child. I became fascinated by different cultures, nationalities and religions, and now I can say that understanding diversity among people has become a part of my life.

I am a qualified teacher, and I have a Degree in Economics and Management.

After moving to England I decided to continue my studying in Finance and now I am fully AAT qualified.

My career in the voluntary sector began when I joined the Preston based charity for broader African community Nguzo Saba Centre as a Finance Officer in 2006.

Working for Lancashire BME Pact as a Development Outreach Officer gives me the opportunity not only to widen my professional interests but to continue to gain satisfaction from helping communities to achieve great success through financial stability and desire to seek opportunities to develop and grow further.

Development Outreach Officer

Christina Cooper

I am thoroughly enjoying my role here at Lancashire BME Pact and have been very busy since I joined the organisation in January. As one of the Outreach Development Officer I have been extremely busy getting out and about and meeting some of our groups as well as signing new members and completing their initial health check.

As Lancashire BME Pact has been growing in size we have organised our groups and have appointed a lead contact for each of one, I am currently busy trying to make my way to see everyone. You may not have seen me around as much as some of our other Outreach Officers as I have been focusing on some of our own marketing needs including the Annual Report and the “I CARE” Campaign.  

I really enjoy my work with the Lancashire BME Pact and I am always meeting interesting and inspiring people and I love the diversity of my role. I feel that I have already packed so much into the past seven months with many highlights, including, our fantastic celebration event in June, and team building at Alton Towers (FAB!) We have hosted a series of very productive focus groups that are continuing our work to raise the voice of Lancashire’s Black Minority and Ethnic Communities. I have also been provided an excellent opportunity to complete a post graduate certificate in Voluntary Sector Management that I am very excited about as it will strengthen the work that I already do as well as strengthening the BME sector in the future. 

I am looking forward to continuing our hard work and excited about the future of Lancashire BME Pact.

Admin Assistant

Mariyam Khan

I recently graduated in Business Studies and HR.  My hobbies and interests are fashion, sports, going out and shopping.  I am ambitious, confident and motivated individual with good communication and interpersonal skills.  I wish to make a positive contribution to the voluntary sector, which is facing challenging times.  I believe we can make our local community groups stronger and make positive changes to people’s lives.