Our Board

I am proud to be involved with Action Together both as a Trustee for many years and now as Chair of the Board of Trustees- a role I am keen to continue because Action Together is an organisation with strong values - which I apply to all aspects of my life and work within the charity and is an organisation striving to reduce poverty and inequality and advocating for the needs of the sector at a local and Greater Manchester level something I care passionately about. 

Alongside my Chair role and responsibilities I sit on the Finance sub group, Governance sub group and am the Boards representative at Healthwatch steering groups because of my background in health previously working as a NED for Pennine Acute Hospital Trust. 

My attendance record at meetings is excellent. 

Oldham Personal Advocacy Limited: 

Until my retirement 2 years ago I was employed for 15 years as Chief Executive of Oldham Personal Advocacy Limited (OPAL) a registered charity providing advocacy services and activities for people with learning disabilities and autism living in Oldham.  

I reported to the Board of Trustees and was responsible for ensuring that the organisation achieved its mission, vision and strategic plan within a sound governance framework. 

I continue to be involved with OPAL as a Trustee.  

Board Skills and experience 

• Development of values and strategy for YMCA Training, PAHT, Action Together and OPAL with focus on stakeholder involvement 
• Involvement in assessment of skills with the Board/ workforce to identify need and development of plans to address recruitment and support for skill development within existing members 
• Worked closely with the CEO in all organisations either as my line manager or as a Trustee to provide constructive support and challenge where necessary 
• I endeavour to attend any meeting well prepared having read and considered all information available in advance  

Hobbies and interests: 

I’m a keen but novice gardener and enjoy spending time watching birds and wildlife

All my working life has been spent supporting and developing work within the voluntary and community sector mostly in Rochdale and Manchester:

• as a resident community development worker
• managing a national research project exploring the issue of young homelessness from a youth work perspective
• managing several UK wide community education programmes for the Open University
• employed by Rochdale MBC, ultimately as Director and Executive Director responsible for community-based services: support of the voluntary/community sector and corporate responsibility for equalities and community cohesion
• as a consultant advising local authorities on their participation/area governance arrangements
• as a Trustee of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust. I chaired the Board for 7 years and am very aware of the duties and responsibilities of Trustees

I am now retired.

I have worked closely with elected Members and senior Executives; developed strategic policy; and managed significant resources - financial, staff and services.

I can bring all this experience to Action Together, as well as a knowledge of and a commitment to strengthening its work in Rochdale Borough in particular.

I am currently employed by Northern Care Alliance as Finance Director for Rochdale Care Organisation. I have held numerous roles across the NHS over the last 25 years and really relishes the opportunity to support clinical staff in developing their services to provide high-quality care to patients.   

In my personal life, I enjoy participating in a variety of sports. I am the National Ladies Representative for Masters Rugby League, a role of which I am particularly proud due to its inclusive and supportive environment.

I am a hard-working individual who enjoys a challenge. I like being part of a team and believe I am a good listener. In my current role, I lead with compassion and am always keen to understand someone else’s perspective. Something I feel is important when supporting people with lived experience. I am keen to develop and learn so appreciate feedback from all aspects of my role. I feel I am an effective communicator with the ability to adapt when required.

I am really keen to be involved with Action Together as I feel it will help me grow as an individual as well as support my passion for improving the well-being of others. I hope my professional and leadership skills make a positive contribution to the strategic direction of Action Together.

Naila is a solicitor Advocate and the owner of Platt’s Solicitors with over 20 years experience in the legal profession.  She enjoys dealing with complex criminal cases. 

She is a part-time member of the Valuation Tribunal Services.

Naila won the Criminal Defence Lawyer of the Year (Greater Manchester)–2020-SME, and High Sheriff Special Recognition Award – 2020.  She also won the Services to Law, British Muslim Awards in 2016.   

Naila speak 3 languages: English, Punjabi and Urdu. 

Naila demonstrates a strong commitment to social justice. Naila has been involved in volunteer work from the moment she left university after she completed her Legal Practice Course. Naila says, “It’s important for me to give something back to the community having been fortunate enough to qualify as a Solicitor”. Naila is a current committee member of the Oldham Law Association and was the President of the Oldham Law Association in 2014. Previously a member on Women’s Voices Management Committee and Citizens Advocacy (Rochdale branch) for 10 years. Naila was a governor for Oldham Sixth Form College from 2013-2016.

Naila’s hobbies pre lockdown included running Manchester 10k for charity.

I currently work at BAE Systems at Warton. I am a determined and self-motivated professional who has gained knowledge and experience from working in an international manufacturing environment, demonstrates a professional relationship with all levels within the organisation, customer and suppliers.

I bring will bring several years’ experience in working in the voluntary sector, I have been volunteering at Higginshaw ARLFC for 40 years in several roles, the last 21 years as Secretary of our Club and Company Secretary of the Charity, I have become more involved with community groups, due to Higginshaw ARLFC purchasing the facility at St Stephens Street, with a view of bringing the facility back into community use.

I am currently involved in the Funding and Development Strategy for the development project and we have just completed £121K refurbishment of our Rugby pitch on Oldham Edge and invested £25K in pitch maintenance equipment, funded through Sport England and RFL.

I have involved in networking with private, voluntary, and public sector partners to help strengthen partnerships, i.e. The Children’s Hub, Higginshaw Residents Association, and Physical Activity Network with a view of fully utilizing the community facility.

I have recently joined the Beever School as a School Governor, as finance Advisor, representing Higginshaw Community Project.

I am Chairman and Treasurer for Waterhead 501 Darts league and hold position of Treasurer for Crompton Lodge a Masonic Charity.

For 6 years until 2012 myself & my wife Linda have done Respite Fostering.

I have been involved in the Voluntary Community Sector since 2003, where I have held various honorary roles – Vice Chair, Treasurer …

In January 2018, I set up my own Community group in order to assist and collaborate with smaller groups to develop and become structurally sound by  assisting them with my skills and knowledge of the VCSE sector.

Currently I have been a school governor for a local primary school for 3 years, and hold the role of co-vice chair. I do not have any children, this role was taken to assist the school from a poor rating and also expand my skill sets around the education sector.

I have over 10 years experience in the Asylum and Refugee sector.

Currently I am involved at GM level in regards to NHS devolution.

I see Action Together to be an upcoming and thriving third sector organization that helps grass root level groups and has impact on policy change on a local level – this aligns with my personal values. I would like to contribute my skill sets and also learn from Action Together.

I have enjoyed being a board member of Action Together since its beginning, and prior to this, involved in its creation as a board member of Voluntary Action Oldham since 2007. I am a very active representative and champion of the voluntary sector in four Greater Manchester local authority areas. Currently the Chief Executive Officer of Pennine West Citizens Advice Bureau which includes Citizens Advice Oldham, Citizens Advice Rochdale and Citizens Advice Trafford and collaborating with Citizens Advice Stockport on advice service delivery and innovation.

I bring a broad spectrum of skills and experience to the board including HR, IT and Finance (VAO Treasurer for a number of years), mergers, and business development.

I have worked in the public sector for over 20 years; the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector have been a constant partner throughout this time. I remain indebted to the work that the sector does and always endeavour to prioritise support for the valuable work undertaken.

I worked in Tameside for several years and saw first-hand the valuable work that was undertaken by Action Together. I always wished I could do more to support the team as the role of the VCFSE does not always receive the recognition or visibility it deserves – and as a trustee I believe I can do this. I believe my background as a senior decision maker in the public sector can provide valuable insight to help Action Together’s members readdress the balance of power within localities.

My background is predominantly in the health and care sector working within the NHS and Local Authority. Relevant skills and experience include:

Strategic thinking

I have extensive experience of setting the strategic direction across partnerships and working together to address complex situations and co-develop solutions. I enjoy building and maintaining strong relationships with partners. 

Investment and performance 

I oversee large budgets and ensure they align to the financial strategy. I have extensive experience of investing in VCFSE partnerships and understand the high expectations of the public sector.  I can help shape Action Together strategy and advise on how the VCFSE can meet and exceed these expectations. 

Governance

I design and work within effective governance structures which can help to build resilient organisations and support organisations, staff and residents.

I’m deeply inspired by Action Together's commitment to building stronger, more inclusive communities across Oldham, Rochdale, and Tameside. The organisation’s focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion aligns closely with my own values and experience in advocating for marginalised communities. I admire how Action Together empowers local groups to create meaningful change, and I want to be part of an organisation that not only supports but actively champions the needs of diverse communities. For me, joining the Board would be an opportunity to contribute to this ongoing work in a more impactful way, especially by helping to shape strategies that further engage underrepresented groups.

I bring a wealth of experience in community engagement, leadership, and working with diverse populations. My work with many organisations in Greater Manchester has allowed me to engage BAME communities through initiatives such as sports, mental health support, and community initiatives. I also have leadership experience as Volunteer Lead for Deaf Rhinos, where I’ve advocated for deaf communities in areas like employment, environment, and sports. My role as Referee Secretary in one of Greater Manchester’s largest youth leagues has also helped me mentor young people from diverse backgrounds.

Additionally, my teaching background—both in the UK and abroad—has equipped me with the ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and think strategically. I understand the complexities of community engagement, and I’m committed to using these skills to further Action Together’s mission.

I believe in the charitable purpose, values and vision of Action Together. I would like to be a part of the successful delivery of the five year strategy.

My values and mission align with the organisation’s, therefore I would like to join the organisation and make a real difference. I see Action Together very differently to other organisations as I have seen the work first hand and have witnessed the impact on the community. I feel like a lot of my success can be attributed back to Action Together.

I share similar values to those of Action Together and am passionate about strengthening communities and enhancing the quality of life of local people

Action Together is a key enabler in sharing knowledge and expertise and increasing capacity with local people and voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations.

I have 40 years’ experience working in the public sector, culminating in my role as Director of Neighbourhoods. I took retirement in July 2023. I am a Rochdale resident and can bring both strategic vision and significant operational experience of delivery of a range of public services and working closely with communities.