The People behind our charity

Muir is our Chair of Trustees. He has been on the Trustee Board for over 3 years, previously serving as the Vice Chair of Trustees. He also sits on the Finance & Business Resources Committee and Ascent College Governing Body.

“I was born and educated in Scotland before moving down south after studying at university. I am a Chartered Engineer with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA and have a wide ranging business experience in a number of sectors including marine engineering, petrochemicals, utilities, and the renewable energy sector.

For over 12 years I held the position of Managing Director for Peel Energy (a renewable energy company that designs, builds, owns and operates wind farms and other renewable assets) which is part of the Peel Holdings Group.

I spent 10 years as a Project Director responsible for a large infrastructure project in the middle of Bangkok, Thailand, along with my family (having promised my wife we would only stay for one year!!).

I have had experience as a Trustee on the Board at Bangkok Patana International School for 4 years and served on the Board at Trafford College (North & South) for 8 years. I am currently a business mentor with The Prince’s Trust supporting young people to start their own business.

I live in Lymm with my wife and sons and am very much enjoying my role as a Trustee helping develop the new ambitious forward strategy.”

Karen joined the trustee board in November 2022.

Karen has over 20 years in Human Resources operating in Senior Management and Executive positions. Karen is a chartered fellow of the professional body the chartered institute of personnel and development (CIPD).

Karen has held HR Director positions in the Construction industry across UK and Ireland leading teams of HR specialists and working as part of the Executive team to deliver business strategy.

Karen has also a keen interest in Corporate Responsibility and has worked with Business in the Community (BITC) to source employment opportunities for young people and developed training programmes for apprentices.

Karen currently offers HR support to businesses through a consultancy service.

She lives in Cheshire with her partner and two English Bulldogs, Betty and Tom.

Stuart serves as the Executive Director of Commercial and an employee owner at Seetec, where he leads the company’s commercial strategy, overseeing legal, compliance, contract management, and health and safety. His responsibilities also extend to the Project Management Office (PMO), procurement, estates, and facilities, ensuring Seetec’s operations align with strategic goals and high standards. As a statutory director of Seetec, a community interest company, Stuart plays a key role in shaping its direction and impact.

Bringing over 25 years of expertise in managing and negotiating complex contracts across the public and private sectors, Stuart has held executive roles at major organisations, including Capita and A4e. His experience spans commercial strategy, contract negotiations, risk management, project oversight, and supplier relationships.

Beyond his role at Seetec, Stuart is a trustee at the Remarkable Group, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering autistic individuals and their families through integrated services and support, reflecting his commitment to making a meaningful social impact.

Mark is an experienced compliance and risk professional with nearly two decades in regulated industries. He has led major projects including Consumer Duty implementation, internal audit programmes, and product governance frameworks, working closely with regulators and boards to deliver strong oversight and fair outcomes.

Now, as a Trustee for Remarkable, Mark is delighted to bring this expertise in governance and assurance to help maintain robust controls and support the organisation’s continued growth. He is passionate about creating safe, transparent environments where autistic young people can flourish and achieve their full potential.

Outside of work, Mark enjoys a busy family life with his wife, their two sons, and Charlie, their mischievous Miniature Schnauzer.