Meet the Trustees

Angela has been a trustee with DCA since September 2021.

Trained in accountancy, followed by academic studies/research in languages, literature, and philosophy, she worked in Eastern Europe for UNESCO and VSO. She enjoyed 25 years in the NHS, as an Executive Director, then Chief Executive of various  NHS organisations nationally, before working in business independently.

A strong advocate for the VCS and service user engagement, Angela is a member of South Bedburn Parish Council and is an Executive Committee member of CDALC.

Clarice has been an active supporter of DCA over many years, both as a member, and more recently as a Trustee since October 2010.

Clarice was involved with Witton-le-Wear Community Association for fifty years and was a member of several community panels and partnerships. She continues to be actively involved with Learning Disabilities Clubs and her Church.

Elaine joined DCA as a Trustee in September 2021.

She has enjoyed a career in the NHS as a dietitian, a manager of cancer services and on the governing body of an NHS Trust. In 2006 she was awarded an MBE for service to the NHS. 

Elaine is an active member of an Anglican Parochial Church Council (PCC) in Durham, focussing on governance, grant funding and community outreach. She is also a Trustee of Communities Together Durham. 

Ian served in parish ministry and university chaplaincy for fifteen years, he then worked in the voluntary sector for five years, this was followed by eighteen years with Durham County Council until his retirement in 2023.

As part of the County Durham Partnership team, his focus was on support for and liaison with the Voluntary & Community Sector, the Armed Forces Community, and Churches and Faith groups.

Jan has been Chair of DCA's Board of Trustees since October 2012, having been a Trustee since February 2010.  She is also lay chair of St Cuthbert’s PCC and chair of St Cuthbert’s Hall in Shotley Bridge.

Jan has considerable experience in voluntary sector management and is a strong believer in partnership working at all levels, recognising the strengths that all partners can bring.

John has been a Trustee for DCA for many years.

He is the current clerk of Fishburn Parish Council and has previously served as a County Councillor and Chairman of Durham County Council.  

He is also a trustee of Sedgefield Arts Recreation and Community Association. 

Karen has enjoyed a 45-year career in public services, initially working within the health service as a nurse, midwife and health visitor then moving to work within the local authority developing and managing services for vulnerable children, young people and their families.

In recent years Karen also chaired the County Durham Child Poverty Group, leading on developing support to mitigate the negative impact of poverty for County Durham children and families.

Linda has been a Trustee with DCA since November 2020.

She has a long-standing passion for Social Housing, joining the newly formed Teesdale Housing Association as a Trustee in 2006, and more recently North Star Housing Group.

She is the Chair of Abbeyfield Barnard Castle Society, Chair of Teesdale Action Partnership and a Dementia Champion with the Barnard Castle Dementia Friends Community Group.

Mike joined DCA as a Trustee in July 2020.

As an Architect and Project Manager, Mike co-founded a Durham-based national practice working primarily in the education, health and leisure sectors.

He was the Editor of Northern Architect and a former Chair of Consett Round Table. He is an active member of the Derwent Valley Protection Society, a Board member and Trustee of United Communities and the Molitor Charitable Trust, and a member of Hamsterley Mill Residents Association Executive.

Patricia has been a Trustee with DCA since November 2018 and is our Treasurer.

She worked in Local Government for much of her career and was Head of Policy for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

Since retiring, Patricia has been a board member of Endeavour Housing Association and a member of the Group Board and Audit Committee of North Star Housing Group.  She is a Trustee of Sedgefield Community Association.

Sarah has been a Trustee of DCA for many years.

Sarah is a founding co-director of the Centre for Social Justice and Community Action and a Professor at Durham University.

She has a particular interest in community-based research in partnership with community organisations on issues related to poverty, debt and social justice. She previously worked in the voluntary sector and local authority social service.

Steve joined DCA as a Trustee in November 2025.

He has had an interesting and varied career, working with local authorities across West Yorkshire in the fields of Landscape Management, Outdoor Education, and Planning before becoming Environment Policy Manager for the North East Assembly. Steve then worked as the Strategic Manager for Environment and Design at Durham County Council for 19 years.

Steve has worked closely with Durham Community Action in a professional capacity for over 10 years, during which time he has established a strong rapport with the team, and a good understanding of DCA’s enabling role as a local infrastructure organisation.