Our Trustees

Alyson Scurfield
Chair

Alyson Scurfield is the Chief Executive of the TEC Services Association (TSA), the representative body for technology-enabled care. She brings a thoughtful and collaborative approach to service transformation, delivery and business progression in the digital health and care sector. With a career punctuated by influential leadership roles, Alyson has set laudable service quality benchmarks, extending her influence across Europe with TEC Quality and UKAS.

Alyson is a champion of co-production, ensuring all stakeholders have a voice. This philosophy places people, their families and carers at the core, enabling personalised outcomes that resonate deeply with individual needs and aspirations. Alyson works closely with DHSC, the LGA and other key bodies. Central to her approach is the commitment to placing people's voices at the heart of service transformation, ensuring that the lived experiences guide and enrich the evolution of integrated health and care systems.

Michelle Rowell
Treasurer

Michelle is an experienced Finance Director, operating globally with blue chip companies.

Michelle is a qualified accountant with over 20 years of progressive experience in telecoms and technology industries. She is passionate about using technology to enhance later life and is inspired to use her experience and skills in the private sector to give back to the social sector.

Tracy Harrison
Vice Chair

Tracy Harrison is the Chief Executive of the Northern Housing Consortium (NHC), a membership organisation for social housing providers. Tracy held several senior posts in blue chip private sector organisations before joining the NHC in 2006, including fast-moving consumer goods giant, Robert McBride, and Sage Software.

Tracy has been instrumental in ensuring that NHC offers its members products and services that support them in driving efficiencies and developing solutions to improve the service they offer to customers. Tracy has also helped develop NHC’s influencing activities, particularly around placemaking and addressing quality and net zero issues in the North’s housing stock.

.

Chris Swan
Trustee

Chris is responsible for developing the IT Strategy and for the success of the IT transformation plan within LRG and Europe. He wants to give something back to the community and share the experience he has learnt in the private sector.
Chris lives in the Newcastle area.

Mark Cotton
Trustee

Mark is assistant director of communications and engagement at the North East Ambulance Service.

He is also chair of the national ambulance communications group, bringing together communications professionals across the UK NHS ambulance services to support the work of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives. Mark lives in Whitley Bay.

Lee Gilder
Trustee

Lee is a Director of Cooklaw Solicitors Ltd. He has over 10 years’ experience dealing with all aspects of property law, which includes both residential transactions and commercial transactions. He has a passion for helping people, which is why he became a solicitor in the first place. He has joined the Age UK North Tyneside Group to help drive our strategy forward, using the skills he has developed over the years in the legal profession.

Fiona Brown
Trustee

Fiona is known for her work on technology-enabled care, strategic commissioning and creating innovative community solutions for housing and independent living. She is a results-orientated public sector executive leader with over 30 years’ experience in strategic leadership and business development, with a strong business acumen.

Fiona has significant experience in housing, social care and health, leading systems and driving integration. As a collaborative leader, she places emphasis on team dynamics, transparency and professional development. She is well-versed in implementing profound transformation to fully leverage digital technology opportunities. Fiona has extensive experience leading and managing large, multi-million pound investment programmes and reducing costs to drive substantial efficiencies.

Rob Brown
Trustee

Rob Brown, the founder and Managing Director of the brand communications agency JUMP, leverages his expertise from running a business since 1992. He and his team focus on brand development and communication across design, digital and marketing channels. Rob is committed to applying his extensive experience to assist with the strategic direction of the charity.

Rob is also a Trustee of Blyth Tall Ship, where they do incredible work to improve the lives of people in their local community.

Rachel Redshaw
Trustee

Rachel is the People and Culture Director at Nexus, who operate the Tyne and Wear Metro, Shields Ferry, as well as supporting bus services.

She has over 27 years’ experience in leading HR and Learning teams across the UK, Europe and globally for blue-chip companies such as GE, Baker Hughes and Danone Group.

Rachel loves the North East and is passionate about supporting the region she has grown up in. She believes everyone should have the chance to lead a happy, fulfilled life, especially in later life and is committed to enabling that.