Beverley Parker - CEO Chief Executive Officer and Tenant Farmer Expand Bev was appointed to the post of CEO of RAD in April 2017. She is a keen advocate of rural issues, having grown up in a South Derbyshire village with very few services even then. Nowadays the village has no shop, no doctors’ surgery and a very occasional bus service. She grew up surrounded by the countryside, did casual work at the local potato farm and kept a scruffy pony in a farmer's field sandwiched between the A38 trunk road and the main railway line between Derby and Birmingham. In her career she has worked in various local authorities, mainly in culture and tourism, organising large scale outdoor events, managing a museum and country park, promoting conferences in a large seaside resort and working for a regional arts board as a senior manager. She worked for the Audit Commission for 9 years but in 2011, following sweeping political changes, the Audit Commission was demised and redundancy followed. She then spent nearly 3 years teaching at a residential school for girls with severe emotional and behavioural difficulties (a good grounding for being CEO at RAD!). She has been a school governor for many years at a local primary school. Bev joined RAD in March 2014 as Policy and Partnerships Manager for Financial Action and Advice Derbyshire. She lives in Staffordshire, a stone’s throw from the Derbyshire border. With her partner Ian she farms around 70 acres with around another 30 acres of grazing land on an annual basis. They have around 200 Jacob sheep and 4 Longhorn beef cattle and they produce hay and haylage mainly for the equestrian market. She has two horses, a Jack Russell terrier and a few chickens which lay eggs for friends and family – including RAD staff. To contact Bev: Office 01629 592971, Mobile: 07738 983 656, email: [email protected]
Charlotte Winterbottom Policy & Partnerships Manager Expand Charlotte joined RAD in December 2021 and is our Policy and Partnerships Manager. She has responsibility for our rural poverty work including; Feeding Derbyshire, financial and digital inclusion. Charlotte is originally from Greater Manchester and fresh out of University as a Politics graduate spent time working for Manchester and Bolton local authorities in housing, regeneration and policy roles. She then moved to Melbourne, Australia for 10 years (after a flippant “should we”) question from her husband. There she worked for the State Government of Victoria on a range of community programmes helping to respond to drought, bushfires, newly arrived refugees and population growth. On her return from Oz she’s been working in the voluntary sector, initially for the Workers Education Association and most recently spending four years at The Volunteer Bureau in Glossop, supporting community development work and business development. She lives in High Peak with her husband, two young sons, two girl rescue dogs and a boy rescue cat. She spends most of her time outdoors; walking, watching football (both sons and Manchester City) and can also be found attempting to play cricket for Charlesworth Women’s Cricket Team. She also does lots of volunteering and is the Treasurer of Hollingworth Juniors Football Club which she says is “like another full time job”. If you would like to contact Charlotte, email [email protected] or call 01629 592970/07871 729990 Please note that Charlotte works part-time, 30 hours a week, and does not usually work on a Friday.
Claire Symonds Head of Finance Expand Claire joined RAD in October 2016, project managing the Suicide Awareness Training until the contract ended in February 2023. She began her career working in finance and project management and after retraining a few years ago she moved towards the area of Health & Social Care. Her financial background meant she was able to step into the finance role to help RAD transition to new systems. Claire enjoys getting out and about in the great outdoors to exercise and she also enjoys all things musical, particularly playing in a brass band and dancing. Her love of travelling has taken her around the world, driving across America getting her kicks on Route 66, a trip on the Orient Express and 3 months travelling around the US, Australia, Japan and more! To contact Claire, email her on [email protected] or phone 01629 592970.
Debra Weetman Finance Assistant Expand Debra joined RAD in October 2023. She had previously been managing a bread bag manufacturing site, but wanted to take her foot of the pedal a little and to reconnect with her finance expertise. She is a CIMA qualified accountant and brings a wealth of experience from diverse business environments. Although over qualified for the role of Finance Assistant, Debra was keen to work with a local charity and RAD is benefiting from her extensive skills and sharp mind! Her journey to Derbyshire began when her former company acquired a business in the region, leading to her relocation to Belper. Having fallen in love with all the county has to offer Debra and her husband made the permanent move to Milford in 2006. As well as working on the brain cogs, Debra enjoys getting out into the local countryside for long walks (with or without a pub!), growing veg and being with friends and family (all grown up with 6 grandchildren).
Emma Simpson Head of Communications & Administration Expand Emma joined RAD in June 2006, but then left at the end of 2011 for a two and a half year break in Guernsey, coming back in September 2014. She is part of the senior management team, she runs the oil buying scheme and is responsible for RAD marketing and admin. Emma is passionate about fuel poverty and works hard to raise awareness around the cost of energy in isolated, rural areas with a particular emphasis on the properties that are not connected to the mains gas network. Her experience comes from a number of different areas. Horses and skiing have had an impact on her career path. She is a qualified riding instructor and has worked in England, Spain, America and Australia with horses. She has also had 4 seasons working as a Resorts Manager for a ski company in Italy. She still goes of to the mountains in the winter for the odd ski break. She lives in Wirksworth and loves walking the dog and wild swimming. She also cycles, but she doesn't love that quite so much due to the hilly terrain around Wirksworth! If you have a general enquiry about RAD's work, marketing or would like to speak to her about the oil buying scheme call her on 01629 592970 / 07540 736118 or email [email protected]. Emma works 30 hours a week, usually Monday to Thursday.
Kevin Fleming Wheels to Work and Peaks & Dales Project Assistant Expand Kevin was born in Derby and has lived there most of his life. He joined RAD in April 2022 as Sales Assistant for Peaks & Dales e-bike hire and support to Wheels to Work. Kevin has spent many years working as an engineer in the world of banking. Travelling vast distances every day to provide technical solutions to customers. Then 9 years working for a charity, teaching bicycle mechanics, working with volunteers to provide clients with bikes to help them become more travel independent. The bikes kept coming and the jobs kept changing. Like for many, redundancy repeatedly reared its head but that then lead him to RAD, where again he was able to work for this wonderful charity and support those in need with transport solutions in Derbyshire. He is a busy father of 2 and enjoys spending time with the family, being out on a bike and pottering in the garden. To contact Kevin, email [email protected] or call 07563 393883.
Lisa Blakemore Project Coordinator - Feeding Derbyshire Expand Lisa began her working career as a teaching assistant in Staffordshire where she was brought up and continued to work in different schools, including ones in Derbyshire in various roles until 2021. Since moving to Derbyshire in 2013 she has worked to support her community in various ways, from campaigning across the county to save the school crossing patrols, handing over a petition of over 10,000 signatures to Derbyshire County Council in 2015, becoming a local councillor in Chesterfield Borough in 2019 and being a part of a team of amazing volunteers that runs a community café and pantry shop. She has assisted in organising a yearly gala and other fundraising events within the Rother Ward which is where she has lived since her arrival. She is only too aware of the challenges that have occurred and developed over the years which have been exacerbated by the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis and believes that by continuing to work together we can make a difference to many. Lisa says that becoming a member of the team at RAD as Project Co-ordinator for Feeding Derbyshire is amazing and she looks forward to working with the communities of Derbyshire. If you would like to contact Lisa, email [email protected] Please note that Lisa works part-time.
Nick Archer Digital Marketing Assistant Expand Nick is a writer and photographer who has joined Rural Action Derby in 2023 as Digital Marketing Assistant, looking to use his creative skills to promote the charities various projects. He has a great passion for film and cinema, and also likes to be active; walking, climbing and swimming when time allows. Nick is a keen cyclist and enjoys all forms including gravel, long-distance and mountain-biking, as well as being passionate about supporting diversity and inclusivity in the cycling community. If you would like to get in contact with Nick, please email [email protected]. Please note that Nick works part-time, 30 hours per week.
Paula Dealtry Project Coordinator - Feeding Derbyshire Expand Paula joined RAD in December 2020 working part-time on the Wheels to Work project. “I applied for the role as I found RAD a very interesting and worthwhile organisation with a good ethos and working on causes very close to my heart”. She has since increased her hours to full-time and works on the Feeding Derbyshire project supporting the school holiday clubs and community pantries. Her previous background is in senior sales management for a hot drinks company where she worked for over 20 years. For the past 7 years she has run her own coffee supplies and dog walking businesses, both of which she still continues to enjoy. When she is not working, she loves to spend time with her 2 children, family and friends and her many pets. If you would like to contact Paula, email [email protected] or call 07549 127707.
Paula Painter Events & Engagement Coordinator Expand Paula joined RAD in October 2023 working mainly from the office in Matlock. As Engagement and Events Coordinator she will also be out and about at events throughout the county. Prior to joining the team she worked for Derbyshire Constabulary and the Police and Crime Commissioners office for a number of years in a variety of roles in the Criminal Justice Department and out and about in the local communities in consultation and engagement roles. As part of the Police & Crime Commissioners team, she worked alongside RAD to help set up the Willow Project. Paula has a diverse knowledge and community engagement background and says “Its great to be working with RAD and helping to raise awareness of our projects in rural Derbyshire”. She lives in the Amber Valley area with her family and enjoys spending time outdoors in the garden, walking and relaxing visiting interesting places of interest in the UK. In the past she has enjoyed supporting her son with his cricket achievements at County level and travelling all over the UK to matches. Not forgetting preparing endless cricket teas! She has also been a trustee for a local charity supporting victims of domestic abuse. To contact Paula, email her on: [email protected] Please note that Paula works part-time.
Rona Rawson Rural Community Development Officer Expand Rona joined RAD in 2023 to progress initiatives in local communities including Village Halls and Community spaces. She is keen to utilise her community and developmental skills. Rona has qualifications in Business and Finance Management, and has had experience of working in a variety of sectors, including for the past 20 years, the Voluntary Sector in Derbyshire. Rona lives in the High Peak; where she lives with her husband, Ian, and her dog Bouncer (by name and nature). Her interests outside of work mainly involve walking, music, food and drink with fun company! She has a camper van and takes every opportunity to escape and discover other parts of the UK and may be spotted at the odd music festival. If you would like to contact Rona, please email [email protected] Please note that Rona works part-time, usually Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Sam Tock Project Coordinator for Digital Support Derbyshire Expand Sam started at RAD in April 2023, joining Charlotte Winterbottom and Joanne Peck as Project Coordinator for Digital Support Derbyshire. She grew up by the sea in Yorkshire, and then moved around the country – ‘down south’ to London and up to Scotland (with additional places in between, including a Kibbutz in Israel at one point!). Apart from relatively brief spells in the commercial and public sectors, she has mainly worked for voluntary organisations, including Age UK, Mind, a children’s adventure play project and Volunteer Centres. Most recently, Sam coordinated the Connex befriending service in the Northern Derbyshire Dales, with the assistance of a dedicated group of volunteers. She now feels firmly settled in Derbyshire, establishing something of a personal record by living here since 2005 with her husband and 3 rescue cats – a very vocal Siamese called Simon, and his 2 adoring ladies, Lottie and Daisy. Sam enjoys walking in the countryside, yoga, pilates and a spot of (very basic!) gardening. If you would like to contact Sam, email [email protected] or call 07588 848664. Please note that Sam works part-time.
Tilly Alleway Willow Project Officer Expand Tilly joined RAD in May 2024 and is the Project Officer for The Willow Project, our Rural Domestic Abuse Awareness Project. Tilly is originally from Sheffield, and graduated from University with a Criminology Degree. From here she went on to gain experience through being a Volunteer with Domestic Abuse Victims by running a coffee morning with a Charity called IDAS. “I am very excited to have been given the opportunity to work on The Willow Project, and I look forward to what the future holds with this Project, as well as being a part of the RAD Team.” In her spare time, Tilly enjoys going for walks in the countryside, fitness, and going out for coffee and food. If you would like to contact Tilly, call her on her mobile 07594 088858 or the main office number 01629 592970 or email [email protected]. Tilly works 3 days a week, usually Tuesday to Thursday.