Associates and advisors

Building a great reputation
for collaborating, creating
and delivering results.

The directors and associates of TLC all share a common desire; to transform individuals, groups and communities for the better.

Each member is an expert in their field and brings their own mixture of talent, knowledge and experience to the team.

Meet our associates

Dave Simmonds OBE
Dave’s extensive knowledge in labour market policy and welfare reform since 1984 makes him one of the national ‘go to’ people. He led the Centre for Economic & Social Inclusion until its’ merger (2016) to form the Learning & Work Institute. Dave was special adviser to the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee, OECD and continues to shape employment and welfare policy.
Dave Simmonds OBEAssociate
Fran Parry
A highly respected leader across the private, voluntary and public sector, Fran’s interests are youth policy, inclusion and welfare reform, particularly in her role as Trustee of Gingerbread. Fran was Director at CESI, the pre-eminent research and policy employability and skills experts, instrumental in founding both ERSA (the Employment Related Services Association) and the IEP (Institute of Employability Professionals).
Fran ParryAssociate
Rachel Flood
Rachel has been at the forefront of significant national initiatives, from Local Strategic Partnerships, neighbourhood management and large-scale Total Place reviews. She’s designed and delivered training for 1000’s of front-line workers. She’s a Board Member of the Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service.
Rachel FloodAssociate
Karen Podesta
Karen is leading our sports-related programmes. With a love of yoga and all things wellbeing and a certified Holistic Life Coach, Mind-Body Practitioner, Karen is also Director of More Love Yoga & Meditation, with 20 years expertise producing, managing and programming cultural events nationally and international, and was co-founder of Make Space, working with inspirational guest speakers and leading self-development workshops and retreats.
Karen PodestaAssociate
Pauline Doyle
Pauline challenges, supports and empowers people to embrace positive change in their lives. A Qualified Social Worker, she uses transformational techniques, systemic therapy mapping and creative leadership. An expert in co-production working with people with significant and multiple barriers in health and public service systems, she’s also been a lead Coach for Big Venture Challenge and Unltd.
Pauline DoyleAssociate
Helen Newman
Helen a qualified counsellor and hypnotherapist whose work with clients takes a person-centred approach, integrating aspects of psychotherapy from the humanistic, psychodynamic and behaviourist disciplines. Dedicated to supporting people in fulfilling their potential, Helen also has 17 years of teaching experience, successfully leading faculties within schools and colleges, as well as designing and delivering learning programmes to Looked After Children and vulnerable adults.
Helen NewmanAssociate

Our amazing partners

We’re driven by a passion to deliver effective sustainable development support for people looking to achieve meaningful livelihoods. And we can only do this with our partners, who are amazing. Thank you.

People's Powerhouse

We are founders of the People’s Powerhouse.  Since 2017, we’ve been at the heart of work to amplify people’s voices across the North. 

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