Making Plymouth a city of opportunity

Caroline worked for Post Office Ltd for 30 years before joining Promoting Children in Plymouth as the Office Manager in November 2015. Caroline had previously been seconded to the charity in 2010 as the CEO, where she was responsible for growing the charity, raising awareness and fundraising. Caroline is also the Office Manager for the North Yard Community Trust CIO.

Kerry worked as a Senior Buyer and Account Manager in the clothing industry before joining the NSPCC as a Schools Organiser in January 2019. Kerry has also worked as a TA with SEN placement at a local school, giving her background and knowledge for her role at PCiP. When not working Kerry enjoys spending time with her children and supporting them with their many activities.

Maurice became a trustee of Promoting Children in Plymouth (formerly Plymouth Drake Foundation) in February 2018 as Chair-elect and took over as Chair in June 2018.

For well over 35 years Maurice has supported and worked with various local charities and community groups. Currently, he is also chair of Keyham Community Partnership, KCP Keystone CIC and Devonport Live CIC and is a trustee of Devonport Community Land Trust, Devonport Community Leisure Limited and his old school, Devonport High School for Boys.

Lynnette originates from Somerset and after graduating from Exeter University in Education, set off to see the wider world! Lynnette taught in Egypt, Sicily, as a Deputy Head in East London and Plymouth, culminating in 15 years headship in Cornwall and Devon. Her experience as a teacher and a leader range from 2 yrs old to adult learners with a particular interest in special educational needs within mainstream schools and safeguarding. She retired in August 2021 and is using her ‘free’ time to continue making a difference to children.

Lynnette is a Magistrate sitting regularly in Plymouth, Treasurer for Plymouth Children’s Book Group as well as a trustee for PCiP. Her passion for this charity is its capacity to harness the power of local businesses and organisations to provide a range of opportunities that will impact children’s lives.

Charlie Jones is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a partner at Wolferstans Solicitors in Plymouth. Having lived in Plymouth all her life, she is passionate about the City and the people within it. Much of her family have also lived in Plymouth their entire lives, many of them being born, brought up and still living in wards that are the most deprived in the city. Following a chance meeting, Charlie was inspired to help children in the city by reducing the barriers to opportunity that exist, largely based on where they were born. Along with colleagues and fellow trustees she set about starting the PCiP campaign.

Steve is a highly experienced Audit Partner at Bishop Fleming, serving a wide range of clients across the South West and throughout the UK. With over 30 years’ experience at PwC before joining Bishop Fleming, Steve made the move to remain in Plymouth – a city he knows well and is deeply passionate about.

His expertise spans all sectors and business types, from owner-managed companies to large multinationals. Steve has guided many clients through key phases of growth and transformation, and his portfolio includes a number of the region’s most successful and fast-growing businesses.

He has worked with well-known Plymouth-based companies such as Princess Yachts, Babcock Marine, Twofour Group, Wrigleys, Toshiba Carrier, and Fine Tubes. His sector experience is particularly strong in retail and manufacturing, though his reach and capability extend across all industries.

Steve brings a pragmatic, down-to-earth style to his work. He is committed to building strong, long-term client relationships and is passionate about delivering high-quality, responsive, and tailored audit services.

Nigel was brought up in Buxton, Derbyshire, and took a degree in Classics and Law at Peterhouse, Cambridge University.

He moved to Plymouth in 1975 was with one firm for the whole of his 41-year working life – Bond Pearce (now Womble Bond Dickinson) and specialised in real estate development and investment work. He dealt with projects, both small and large, throughout the country and acted for P&O Developments in the creation of the Drake Circus shopping complex in Plymouth. He also acted for DML in the acquisition of Devonport Royal dockyard and led the development of Bond Pearce’s Bristol office

He retired from the law in 2016 and over the past several years has been involved in refereeing golf tournaments throughout Europe, including several Open championships. He has in the past been involved with several charities, including Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Barnardos and the Plymouth YMCA.

He is married to Caroline, and they have two grown-up daughters.

Chris served as a submarine engineer officer in the Royal Navy for over 35 years, with the final decade in senior leadership and management positions within the Navy Command Headquarters. On leaving he joined the volunteers at PDF in 2011, initially assisting with membership and became a Trustee and Director in 2013. He also represents the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity as an Ambassador in the South West.

He was appointed CBE in the 2011 New Years Honours List.

Paddy is a Deputy Headteacher and Class Teacher of St Peter’s C of E Primary School, in Stonehouse. He also holds the roles of Disadvantaged Leader and Attendance Champion within the school. Paddy has lived in Plymouth for nearly a decade and is passionate towards strengthening the opportunities provided to the children of the city to enable it to flourish.

Prior to moving to Plymouth from Shropshire, he has travelled across both South East Asia and South America. Paddy’s hobbies include playing and watching football, as well as spending time with his wife and two children.

Sophie was born and raised in Plymouth in a low-income family, inspiring a lifelong passion for creating opportunities for young people.

Now Careers Lead at Sir John Hunt Community Sports College and a governor at Keyham Barton Primary School, she works to connect students with experiences they might not otherwise find, championing equity and inclusion at every step.

Having seen first-hand the impact Promoting Children in Plymouth can have, Sophie was honoured to become a Community Advisor, helping shape opportunities that make a real difference in the lives of children across the city.