The Right2Work team draws on the wealth of experiences and expertise that our people have gained from careers in the third sector, employment services, education and private sector businesses.

Everyone is capable of ‘wearing many hats’ and all get involved with the day-to-day activities of the various Right2Work programmes and initiatives.

We are always keen to hear from anyone who would like to join us and, at present, we are looking to recruit a new Board member who shares our vision and has the energy and time to give.

The Board is the catalyst for the direction of the organisation and is made up of a small group of Directors that bring specific skills.

R2W Chair Stephen Welch with W&L 

If you have the skills and experience that may compliment our existing team and enhance the services Right2Work offer, then we’d love to hear from you. Call us for a chat  on 01539 735025 or please send an email telling us about yourself, and your current CV to: [email protected]

Governance of Right2Work

All directors of CICs have a primary duty to advance the community purpose, in addition to their other responsibilities as company directors, as laid out in the Companies Act 2006 and Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 and Regulations 2005. Stakeholder involvement is therefore essential for the company to learn and understand how it is meeting community need and how it can improve and develop.

To find out more on the roles of directors at CICs are required to undertake, have a look at this document that outlines their responsibilities etc.

Governance for Community Interest Companies

(As of November 2023) The Right2Work Directors are listed below:

Clive Wigley Right2Work

Clive Wigley – leading from the front

Clive qualified in nursing specialising in learning disability and mental health.  He gained a Diploma and Certificate in Higher Management and has experience within care, housing and management.  He has worked for a number of local authorities and national charities and is Chief Executive of Right2Work’s parent company, The Oaklea Trust.

As Chief Executive of the Trust, Clive has the delegated task of managing the day to day business of the company.  He has responsibility for financial control and strategic planning for the organisation.

Clive is a qualified football coach. He is also Treasurer for Appleby Deanery and local Parish Church Council.

Clive is Secretary to the Board of Right2Work and a Company Director.

What Clive admires: Those who make a difference to people and communities.

Stephen Welch – Creating rewarding experiences

Stephen joined the R2W Board in November 2022. He also sits on both the R2W Board and on Oaklea Trust (joined Oaklea Trustees in 2021).

Stephen has had a long and successful private sector career operating at senior management levels in the areas of economic development, overseas trade and commercial property. He has substantial board level experience, is highly versatile and entrepreneurial with significant experience of the private, charity and not-for-profit sectors. He has led several multi-million pound businesses at CEO level in the north west, the Midlands and the south east. His leisure time activities include playing golf and fell walking.

What Stephen admires: The ability to pass on skills and expertise to benefit the sector

Susan Wigley – strategic thinker

Sue graduated in Politics and Psychology from Keele University and has worked as a graduate manager in the retail sector, a civil servant advising on marketing and recruitment for employers and at senior management level within the charitable sector.  She has established a proven track record in operational and strategic planning.

She has a Professional Diploma in Management in the Voluntary Sector from Leeds Met. University and Diploma in Process Excellence (ISO9001:2000)

Sue holds an Executive Director role at Right2Work CIC and is an Operations Director at The Oaklea Trust Registered Charity

Sue is also a Trustee and Vice Chair of the Cumbrian Diocesan Board of Finance.

What Sue admires: Compassion and empathy; a sense of humour and charismatic leaders.

Linda Adey -“It’s all about community”

Linda is the link with Oaklea Trust as she also sits on the Trustee Board for our parent charity.

In the 5 years I have served as a member of the Board of Trustees at Oaklea I have learned that the Oaklea core values, principles & work ethics combine to uphold their belief in the importance of community and opportunity for all.

In both my personal and professional life I’ve experienced the value of being part of a community and the positive effects that this can have.

I now feel honoured to have the opportunity to be a director of the social enterprise subsidiary of the Oaklea Trust, Right2Work CIC, which gives the opportunity to so many people to have positive experiences in their lives.  In this role I hope to help to ensure the organisation continues to achieve its ambitious aims for many years to come.

What Linda admires: The successful team work that gives the opportunity for people to have positive experiences in their lives. 

Martin Bell – A true Ice breaker!

A farmers son from Cumbria, a trained agricultural engineer and heavy plant mechanic.

Worked for British Antarctic Survey (BAS) for 19 years – spent over 10 years in Antarctica. This included 3 winters, worked as vehicle mechanic, generator mechanic, base commander, facilities engineer, Deputy Project manager on the Halley 6 project and now working as Vehicle Engineering Manager for Halley 6 Research Station.

On top of this – Also runs MHB Motorcycles, a motorcycle dealership and workshop facility in Kirkby Stephen. (Director of MHB Imports, Importing motorcycles and selling to a dealership network).

What Martin admires: Determination (hence a love of the cold! & hobbies that combine working)! A love for taking on a challenge (at BAS) “I wanted to work on vehicles in as hostile an environment possible” no wonder the job was his! 

Helen Starr – From Gambia with love

Helen has a lively and challenging background predominantly working with young people – ranging from being a member of the Theatre in Education Group in Liverpool to Manager of a training centre for vulnerable teenagers in Sussex. She has also been a Play Bus Driver, a family support worker for Social Services in London, a Primary School Teacher and Acting Head teacher in Cumbria. (Here in Cumbria she attended University of Cumbria and gained a B Ed and was a PGCE Placement and Mentor Officer).

What Helen admires – “I am in favour of anything which ensures the continuing success of our communities”.

Below – here you can see Helen with her decade long involvement in BACE – a small educational and medical charity in The Gambia. Had yearly visits until Covid struck!

Julia Wood – ‘Supporting growth & cultural development’

I live in Cartmel and originally from West Yorkshire. I studied in Manchester and have been in the food industry and pharmaceuticals for the last 29 years in commercial and general management roles.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, cooking and enjoying the outdoors on my e bike. I also have a hobby of complimentary therapies mainly in the treatment of trauma and stress related conditions.

What Julia Admires – “Leaders who develop cultures with transparency, democracy and authenticity” 

Here’s Julia on an initial induction visit to R2W HQ with TFW lead, Chris Pantechis 

Leslie Spring – ‘Increase engagement with the R2W brand’

Leslie joins us from a career spent in sales & business development in the pharmaceutical industry and currently as a contractor with Sellafield Ltd.

He is very keen to raise awareness of what Right2Work does. He particularly wants to see young disadvantaged adults get into paid employment. He is a known networker and wants to give back using his considerable skill set. It’s all about reaching out and using his network to best advantage for this community enterprise.

“I have a vested interest in making sure young adults reach their full potential – I have a son who has additional needs.”

What Leslie admires:

“I love to see collaborative working – and therefore successes – which can be achieved through partnership working. Where we can find mutual benefits -it’s a win-win situation bringing people together.”

Engagement starts here!

What is a Community Interest Company?

Right2Work is a community interest company (CIC).

This is a type of company introduced by the UK government in 2005 under the Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004, designed for social enterprises that want to use their profits and assets for the public good.

As a social enterprise, a community interest company is a business with primary social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business, or in the wider community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.

CICs tackle a wide range of social and environmental issues and operate in all parts of the economy. By using business solutions to achieve public good, it is believed that CICs have a distinct and valuable role to play in helping create a strong, sustainable and socially inclusive economy.