Meet our Trustees
Neil Ward - Pure Insight Chair
Since a young age Neil has been fascinated with business and how organisations determine and fulfil their purpose. Having focused on business studies throughout his education, he then spent 14 years working in banking with some of the most successful businesses in the North. In 2016 he moved from banking to join the fantastic team at One+All, a Stockport B Corporation that exists to grow for the greater good. He has been Managing Director for three years in which time the team has continued to make great strides forward in improving customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, our impact on the planet and our commercial results.
For some time He has felt that if he could add anything to another organisation that was making peoples lives better, it would be an extremely valuable use of time. Having said that, He is very conscious that his experience is in banking, finance and business strategy - therefore these are the areas he hopes to be able to contribute towards. He then became aware of the fantastic work being done by Pure Insight.
"Though I have only been involved for a short period of time, it’s clear that Pure Insight has an incredibly positive impact on the lives of young people. I’m proud and privileged to now be a part of this and hope I can help over many years to come."​​
Steph Watkin- member since 2019
Steph was a solicitor in central Manchester for over 20 yrs before moving to live in America. Upon her return she volunteered with Pure Insight as a Parent Angel and then completed the mentor training course in September 2016. Steph was consistently impressed with the work of the charity and ethos of the staff that she knew she wanted to do more and so became involved with their other projects and she hasn't looked back since.
Steph has seen first hand the huge benefits the mentoring scheme can bring to the lives of young adults , the tag line of “transforming lives “ really is true. Steph remains committed to working with Pure Insight to deliver their goals and ideals.
David Zucker – member since March 2022
David retired in 2016 after working in commerce for over 40 years in senior management positions.
He is still a non-executive Director with his last employer, the Comfyquilts Group.
For the last six years, He has been mentoring young, and start-up businesses, as well as advising those wishing to start businesses, or enter the job market. He has done this as a Founder Trustee of a charity, the JEWEL Foundation.
Whilst still working, He focussed his voluntary work around my synagogue, in many roles, from Youth coordinator to President, and for the last four years, as Treasurer. He is still a Director of the synagogue, which is a charity.
Having given up the Treasurer role, He has found time to become involved in other Charity work, and a Trustee of Coffee4Craig, a Manchester homeless charity, and Pure Insight.
"I didn’t know about Pure Insights till I became a Trustee. But I am moved and inspired by the commitment of its leadership and my fellow Trustees, and am delighted to have the opportunity of applying my business and charity experience for the benefit of such a worthwhile charity."
Laura Rogers – member since March 2022
Laura is a CIPD qualified HR professional. Her initial interest in HR stems from sitting on the youth panel interviewing potential social workers as a teenager when she was living in foster care. She quickly became interested and aware of how important ensuring the right people are employed in the right role is, and she is grateful to the adults who supported her with her decision to study at university.
Laura passionate about improving the lives of young people, particularly those with care experience, throughout her career she has worked in HR departments within youth charities and an independent children’s service provider.
Laura is now working as Head of People & Culture for a technology organisation.
"I’m excited to be joining Pure Insight as a Trustee as an opportunity to support the charity with my HR and lived experience."
Sam Ankers - Member since May 2023
Sam is a care experienced social worker currently working in the charity sector. He has many years experience working in local authorities directly supporting cared for and care leavers. He also has experience of managing teams and setting up specialist projects to support care leavers around education, employment & training as well as supporting newly arrived unaccompanied young people.
Sam has first hand experience of working with a local authority which Pure Insight supported and has seen the amazing impact that a mentor can have for a young person as well as the brilliant relationship based practice which Pure Insight offer.
Jenny Bagchi – member since September 2020
Jenny recently took up the position of Programme Manager for the Trauma Responsive Greater Manchester programme – working towards Greater Manchester becoming a Trauma Responsive city-wide region.
Jenny was the first and only person in her family to go to university and graduated in 2009 with a BA (Hons) in Social Sciences but the learning didn’t stop there! She then went on to complete a teacher training qualification and human resource management qualification and became a member of CIPD.
Her early adverse experiences, including experience of the care system and becoming a young parent, influenced her career choices which have predominantly been focused around inclusion, social justice and compassion, and as such she has gained experience leading services supporting women in the criminal justice system and youngsters leaving care (as an Ops Manager at Pure Insight).
Jenny is passionate about empowering disadvantaged groups to have a voice and is a strong advocate for trauma informed, person centred working, as well as building resilient communities and emotionally intelligent teams, leading by example.
Jenny is really proud to take up the role as a Trustee and hopes to provide support to the leadership team and help wherever she can!