OUR BOARDOUR BOARD

Eric Woodcock

Eric became a trustee in December 2011.  He brings considerable experience in designing and running projects of all kinds, and has led, or significantly contributed to, projects for organisations as diverse as large local councils, major manufacturing firms and third sector enterprises.  Eric teaches project management at several universities across the UK and writes about project management.  He also helps organisations become more effective at identifying their strategy and using projects to deliver the benefits they seek.
Jane Davies

Jane is a trainer working mainly with humanitarian and international development organisations. Her overseas experience includes delivering management courses for humanitarian workers in Gaza and Sudan; running teacher training workshops in Kenya and earthquake rehabilitation in Peru. Closer to home Jane supports projects to bring global issues into science classrooms and she has written a range of development education resources for organisations such as ActionAid and Oxfam. Jane is a qualified teacher with an MA in Education and International Development.
Su Goldthorpe

In her current job role Su co-ordinates the Trafford Advice Partnership outreach service and was until recently Manchester’s Sustainable Neighbourhoods Partnership policy officer, which supported Manchester’s climate change strategy.

Her background is in housing and regeneration within the public and voluntary sectors. Within local authorities and Government Offices in Yorkshire and the North West, her work has delivered sustainable neighbourhoods with community involvement.

Su has campaigned on national issues, including peace and anti nuclear, and has contributed to local direct action to use empty property to tackle homelessness.
DR. ANDREW KARVONEN

Andrew is a Research Fellow at the Manchester Architecture Research Centre at the University of Manchester, and a visiting research fellow at the Center for Sustainable Development at the University of Texas at Austin. His research bridges the design disciplines and the social sciences He was inspired to join the Board at MERCi because of his interest in strengthening the links between the University and third sector organisations that are focused on urban sustainability. Andrew has a decade of experience as an environmental and sustainability consultant and is a licensed engineer in the State of Washington.
MIKE FRANCE

Mike is the Church and Community Development Officer for the Church of England, Diocese of Manchester. In this role he supports parishes who want to work more effectively in their communities. He previously worked in a number of roles in the community sector, including in a Citizens Advice Bureaux, as a Chief Officer of a Community and Voluntary Service, as a youth worker and as a manager of a domestic violence programme for a charitable trust.
NEIL CORNEY

Neil has been on the Board of Trustees at MERCi since our launch in 1998 and is currently Chair. He is also a Research Associate at the Omega Research Foundation, where he undertakes research into human rights issues.
GUDRUN CARTWRIGHT

Gudrun is a passionate and creative environmental advocate who is committed to promoting change towards a low carbon, sustainable future. As Head of Environment for Business in the Community in the NW, she has supported more than 500 businesses through the Mayday Network, focusing on resource efficiency, sustainable travel, business resilience and leadership development. Gudrun brings to the MERCi Board a broad range of experience gained in business, the NHS, Trade Unions and the third sector. Her key areas of expertise are in strategy development and execution, human resources, campaigning, communications and project management.