Stocksbridge Towns Fund Welcomes New Board Members

Following a high level of interest in applications, the Stocksbridge Town Deal Board had the pleasure of welcoming five new Board Members at its recent Board Meeting, 20 January, to help continue its vital work in the town.

Bringing skills and experience in education, health, community development and arts and culture, the new members join the Board as Towns Fund projects move into the next stage of development in 2025, which marks a major milestone as work on the ground begins on the anchor project, Stocksbridge 519.

The new members joining the Board are:

• Education and Skills: Dr Charlotte Coleman, Deputy Head of the Sheffield Institute of Social Sciences at Sheffield Hallam University, will also join as a Director, working closely Tony Goddard to share her professional experience in Higher Education.
• Education and Skills: Tony Goddard, the Training and Capability Manager at Liberty Speciality Steels Ltd will take the role of Director, utilising his specific skillset in learning and training sharing the role with Charlotte, which will complement our experience on the Board.
• Health: Liz Sedgwick, who is currently Practice Business Manager at Valley Medical Centre, will join as a Community Director with a specific Health and Wellbeing remit on the Board.
• Community: Hilary Osborn, who has a strong background in music and theatre, taking the role of Community Director and sharing the role with Mark Hible, to maximise talent and skillset.
• Community: Mark Hible, with extensive experience in community-based project management, will join as joint Community Director working closely with Hilary Osborn.

The newly recruited members will bring their skills and knowledge to oversee the next stage of local projects, which includes a brand-new Library and Community Hub building, Stocksbridge 519 as well as developing adult education provision and community facilities.

The Towns Fund Board is made up of representatives from local businesses, community groups, residents, as well as the current MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, Marie Tidball. Members have oversight across all projects as well as representing specific projects. Stocksbridge Town Council and Sheffield City Council are also represented.

Co-Chair Yuri Matischen said: “We’re incredibly fortunate to have a very capable group of people who give up their time, knowledge and expertise voluntarily to help us deliver these exciting regeneration projects for the area. We’re delighted to welcome everyone to the team.”

Co-Chair Marie Tidball, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said: “This is an exciting time to join the Towns Fund Board as work gets underway to deliver key projects that include Stocksbridge 519 and the new Hopper Bus service. They will be great assets to the Board, bringing a huge range of professional experience and local knowledge, and we look forward to driving these projects through to completion together helping to ensure the best outcome for Stocksbridge.”