The staff of Disability Action Yorkshire are a vital part of delivering our services. We would love to tell you more about each and every one of them, but there are far too many! We can tell you a little bit more about the Board of Trustees and the Senior Management Team though:
Senior Management Team
The senior management team are responsible for the strategic and day to day running of Disability Action Yorkshire.
Who we are
Jackie Snape – Chief Executive
I was born in Louth, Lincolnshire, where I trained and worked as a nurse. I moved to Harrogate, North Yorkshire in 1987 and still think it is an amazing place to live. I have many years experience of working in social care and in particular in the management of services. I joined Disability Action Yorkshire in 2001 as Operations Manager and became Chief Executive in 2007. I feel very lucky to have this job, I enjoy the challenges and the diversity that every day brings
Stephanie Thompson – Finance Executive
I spent many years living and working abroad, for a number of years I worked for a large regional organisation specialising in finance and administration for their welfare department.
In 1995 my son was born, as a family we moved to the UK later that year.
I started working for the organisation in 1998 as a part time Payroll and Petty Cash Administrator, in 2000 I gained the position of Assistant Accountant and in 2003 I became the organisation’s Finance Executive.
Gayle Stelling – Home Care Manager
I have worked in the care industry for over 16 years. I began my career as a Customer Service Assistant responsible for the co-ordination of homecare services across North Yorkshire. Since that time I became an On Call Manager and then Branch Manager running a large contract for Manchester Social Services. I am now Homecare Services Manager with Disability Action Yorkshire. I thoroughly enjoy my role and am keen to continue my personal development in order to offer a high quality service.
Steven Taylor – Residential Services Manager
I am currently the manager at 34 Claro Road having worked for Disability Action Yorkshire since January 2002. My previous roles have included working for Liverpool Social Services at a mental health resource centre and at Mencap.
Ange Brockett – Operations Manager
I was born in West Yorkshire where I trained in Hotel Management. After completing my training I worked at various locations in England, Holland and Germany and on returning to the UK I moved to North Yorkshire where I worked in retail and training services. I have had an eclectic career which I have enjoyed immensely and I hope to be able to bring my knowledge and experience into Disability Action Yorkshire to enhance the services we offer through my role as Operations Manager – Trading. I am married and we have two grown up daughters and two dogs who keep me happy, healthy and very busy!
Board of Trustees (Directors)
The Board are responsible for the governance of Disability Action Yorkshire. There are currently eight members of the Trustee Board which meets at least six times a year. The Chair of the Board is Martyn Weller, the Vice Chair is Howard Marshall and the Treasurer is Ian Bergel.
Who we are
Martyn Weller (Chair)
I am originally from Norfolk but have lived in Yorkshire for 25 years. I am married with three children, one grandchild and three dogs. Having held various management jobs I became Group Operation Director for a large timber company before becoming self employed in 2004 running my own outdoor activities company. My association with the charity goes back to 1989 and it is thanks to the charity I met my wife! I was born in 1960 with spina bifida and therefore have been disabled since birth. I became a member of the Trustee Board in 2004 and Chair in 2008. In addition to my voluntary work with charity I also serve as a Magistrate on the York Bench
Howard Marshall (Vice Chair)
I am a Director of Marshall Zoing Ltd. a wealth management firm based in Harrogate where I live with my wife Jeanette and our daughter Jade. I have a deep personal interest in disability issues as my children have the progressive generic condition Friedreichs Ataxia. Whilst awareness of disabled people has improved over the years I believe that there is some way to go to ensure that those with disabilities are not further disadvantaged by society’s lack of knowledge, reduced opportunities and prejudice. I enjoy walking, gardening and fund-raising for a number of charities. I also a trustee of Ataxia UK.
Ian Bergel (Treasurer)
Having qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant in 1975 (ACMA) I spent 30 years in a variety of senior financial roles in industry mostly as Finance Director & Company Secretary with Waddington’s, Norton Opax, McCorquodale, Bowater/Rexam and latterly Scientific Games International. Experienced gained in businesses with turnover of £2m and 20 staff to businesses with £100m turnover and 800 staff. For the last four years I have been self-employed working with a variety of clients in helping them to save money by reducing their overhead cost.
Val Davies
Now a retired Maths teacher and Deputy Head, I worked with the Red Cross in Oxfordshire during and after my time at university, and have always been interested in the welfare of disabled people and in enabling them to live life to the full. Widowed with three adult sons and two granddaughters, I was born and bred in Yorkshire and have lived here for all but four years of my life. I have been aware of Disability Action Yorkshire and its work for many years and under several different names. I am particularly interested in the fund raising aspects of the organisation and in working with schools to improve the knowledge and understanding of the younger generation.
Paul Fryer
I have worked in advertising and marketing for several years in London and Los Angeles; I now run my own UK based IT and marketing company. A keen supporter of a number of charities over the years including the Variety Club, Secretary of the Lords Taverners (Yorkshire region), working as a volunteer supporting children with disabilities with Barnardos and a short period as regional fundraising manager for a national cancer charity. My passions include walking with my dog in the wonderful Yorkshire countryside, north Norfolk and watching Rugby Union and Opera, but not at the same time!
Ann Jones
I am mother of two and married to Mike. My background was working for the Health Service as a Nursing Sister and Midwife. I have been fortunate to work as a Health Professional over twenty five years throughout the UK. I decided to do a degree in later years in ‘Communications in Health and Social Care’, and then when invited to join Disability Action Yorkshire as a Trustee, felt I had a lot to offer with skills and experience gained.
Brian Murrell
My wife and I run a smallholding in Pateley Bridge, where we keep alpacas, goats and sheep, two English Setters and three cats!!. We have three children, our eldest daughter has a severe hearing loss. I have worked in the food industry all my working life, specialising in meat and dairy. I served 27 years as an Executive Director with Wm Morrison Supermarkets, before taking up my current role as Chairman of Bradburys Cheese,based in Buxton Derbyshire. I have been involved in voluntary roles with the National Deaf Children’s Society and Carers Resource where I spent 10 years as a Trustee. I am an active Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Butchers.
