At Fair Trader, our non-executive board members are experienced professionals who all use their individual knowledge, skills and perspectives to help shape and direct the future of Fair Trader.
Our current board members are:
Margaret Dale
Chair
- Director at Fair Trader.
- 40 years experience in HR and change management.
- Four non-executive directorships.
- CEO of a business.
- Chair of Keep Holmfirth Special.
Paul Brennan
Secretary
- Educationalist for 40 years with many roles in public, private and third sectors.
- A freelance consultant working with Local Authorities and schools across the country.
- Chair of several educational associations and visiting research fellow at Leeds Trinity University.
Adrian Gamble
Treasurer
- Director at Fair Trader.
- Early career as an investment banker in London, New York and Tokyo.
- 20 years as Senior Civil Servant, Foreign Office, with postings to Brussels, Rome and Vienna, and 3 years in No.10.
- Director Deloitte Strategy Consulting, 10+ years helping organisations adapt to the digital age.
- Project Manager for Child Health International, Winchester-based Cystic Fibrosis charity.
Scott Arlidge
Director
- Extensive experience in customer service and member relations in retail cooperatives.
- Currently a director of Heart of England Co-operative.
- Based in the Midlands.
Sue Baxter
Director
- Director at Fair Trader.
- Leading housing professional with over 35 years of experience in the supported and social housing sector.
- Currently provides training and consultancy for housing associations, local authorities, and voluntary organisations, alongside facilitating Supported Housing in Partnership, the membership organisation for the sector.
Jill Johnes
Director
- Early career experience as an apprentice at British Aerospace.
- More than 35 years working in the HE sector including leadership experience as Dean of Huddersfield Business School, and Director of External Engagement with particular focus on professional development.
- Oversees production of the annual Kirklees Top 100 Companies Listing.
- Member of the Yorkshire and Humber Leadership Board of Business in the Community until the end of 2023.
- School Governor at Holmfirth Junior, Infants and Nursery School.
Louise Bell
Director
- 20+ years working in retail HQs.
- Experience gained working for a range of businesses including SMEs, department stores, global retailers and pure plays.
- Having lived in Ireland for 10 years, now settled in Yorkshire.
- Passionate about slow fashion, sustainability, ethical trade and supporting local small business.
Join Our Board
Are you a member of Fair Trader? Would you like to be more involved in setting the direction of one of the most exciting retail businesses in Holmfirth while helping to improve the lives of disadvantaged people across the world? Why not join the board of Fair Trader as a non-executive director?
As a co-operative society Fair Trader is overseen by a board of non-executive directors. Several of our long-serving directors have stepped down recently either through retirement or to pursue other interests. We are keen to appoint some new members to the board.
The role involves attending around eight board meetings per year and working in small groups on key issues such as the development of the online side of the business, staffing or social media. Some of the board members also volunteer in the shop. While the role is unpaid, it is interesting and very rewarding.
If you think you might be interested, please contact Gerard Hetherington (Chair) or Mark Lewis (Secretary) at info@fairtrader.coop.