Board of Trustees
Our Board of Trustees provides strategic direction for our organisation and ensures our activities comply with current legislation, aligning with the objectives of Birmingham Settlement.
Matthew Gregson
Chair
Matthew is a partner at Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP, advising local authorities, charities, housing associations, care providers and third sector organisations at a strategic and operational level. Matthew has served in various roles in Birmingham and is a strong advocate for our city. He is also a trustee of a local foodbank, supporting some of the most vulnerable in our society. From 2014 to 2017 Matthew was the Company Secretary at a global charity providing care for the elderly, and he has also been a trustee of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO).
Jas Sidhu
Trustee
Jas is a senior housing and public sector leader with over 30 years’ experience across local government, housing associations, and the voluntary sector. He is currently Director of Housing at St. Basils, supporting young people at risk of homelessness, bringing extensive expertise in governance, asset management, compliance, digital transformation, and community-based service delivery. Jas is also a Board Member of a housing association and is passionate about tackling inequality, strengthening communities, and ensuring charities are well-governed, sustainable, and impactful.
Deborah Sewell
Trustee
Debbie brings over 20 years’ of experience from the Civil Service legal sector to Birmingham Settlement. Currently a Legal and Professional Development Lead, she combines her expertise in leadership with a deep-seated passion for social equity. A vocal champion for social mobility, Debbie facilitates work experience programmes across the West Midlands to empower the next generation. Her commitment to people is further demonstrated by her 10 years of service as a Wedding Ceremony Officer and her long-standing volunteer work with a national food charity. Debbie is looking forward to helping Birmingham Settlement create a fairer, more inclusive future through her legal background and community support work.
Yvonne Hackforth-Williams
Trustee
Yvonne is a Senior Leader in UK higher education with over 20 years’ experience in organisational strategy, operational leadership, and transformational change. She is currently Director of Operations for the College of Social Sciences at the University of Birmingham, where she oversees professional services supporting thousands of students, staff, and community partners. She is also a qualified Executive Coach, supporting individuals and teams to develop confidence, capability, and direction. Yvonne is passionate about improving services, systems, and opportunities for people, and is excited to join Birmingham Settlement as a trustee because she believes deeply in the charity’s commitment to tackling inequality and supporting people to flourish in their communities. With a background in student recruitment, strategic change, and business school operations, Yvonne looks forward to bringing her strategic and operational expertise to help strengthen Birmingham Settlement’s impact.
Emma Peniket
Trustee
Emma is the Partnership Lead for Birmingham Social Housing Partnership, also working part-time for Spring Housing in a Management Development role, supporting staff with training and development opportunities. With over 15 years’ experience of working in social housing in predominately homelessness, housing, and management roles, Emma works closely with different providers and Birmingham City Council to shape how housing is delivered in the city. With previous experience in services for young people, mental health, learning disabilities, older adults, and homelessness, Emma is passionate about making a difference to people’s lives and is an advocate for working collaboratively, and is particularly looking forward to seeing firsthand the value that Birmingham Settlement brings to the city and its communities.
Stuart Roberts
Trustee
Stuart (FCA MBA) is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years’ financial and operational experience as a Financial Director in medium sized PLCs and private sector companies. Stuart also has wide experience at both executive and non-executive level supporting the charitable, education and social enterprise sectors, including the financing and operational start-up as CFO of Fair For You CIC. He is currently a Trustee at Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, and has Finance Committee roles at Mercian Multi Academy Trust and Spring Housing Association.
Michael Burgess
Trustee
Michael is a Director at Barclays, joining as a graduate in 2004. He provides advice to pension schemes, charities, and individuals regarding the management of investments and their Private Banking requirements. Michael has previously been a governor for St John’s and St Peter’s Academy School in Ladywood, as well as a fundraising champion for St Basils and a trustee for University of First Age. Last year Michael ran the Valencia Marathon and raised £20,000 for The Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Michael is looking forward to seeing first-hand the difference that Birmingham Settlement makes to local communities.
Sophie Skellern
Trustee
Sophie is a Producer with over 12 years’ experience working in the Arts sector, and is currently the Assistant Producer at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, producing both main house and smaller studio productions. With a First Class Honours in BA Fine Art from Lancaster University and a Masters in Cities, Culture, and Creativity from Liverpool John Moores University where she won a prize for Research Excellence, Sophie has varied and extensive experience in the visual arts sector and producing for festivals, community projects, and events such as the V&A Museum, Manchester International Festival, and Blackburn Museum. Sophie is particularly passionate about supporting artists, talent development, and projects rooted in Birmingham with a strong local impact.
Joanna Raine
Trustee
Jo is a Chartered Surveyor with almost 20 years experience in commercial valuation. She is a Partner at Cushman & Wakefield, providing advice to clients such as HSBC and Barclays, to investors, developers, and pension funds such as Panattoni and Royal London, and to public sector bodies such as the NHS and Homes England. Jo also leads Cushman’s Women’s Network in the United Kingdom and outside of work enjoys cooking, skiing, and walking her dog in the Lickey Hills.
Rachel Bramwell
Trustee
Rachel is a Sustainability Officer at Birmingham City University, leading the University’s ISO 14001 Environmental Management System as well as supporting sustainable procurement and catering initiatives. With extensive professional experience in environmental compliance, internal auditing, policy develpment, staff engagement and training, and quality assurance and enhancement, Rachel is deeply committed to social and climate justice – caring for people and the planet together to support communities. Rachel also serves as Co-Chair of BCU’s LGBT+ Staff Network, supporting inclusive governance and organisational change.