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Milestones Trust

Time. Patience. Understanding. Respect.
The building blocks of trust

Our Trust

The history of the Trust

Reflecting on our various milestones achieved since the formation of the Trust in 1986, it is easy to see how diverse and extensive Milestones Trust has become, where we now employ over 1,100 staff to support over 500 people in either a residential or community setting.

The difference we have made to so many lives over the past three decades – the happiness, independence and quality of life of the people we support has been amazing. To view the timeline of what we’ve achieved over the past 36 years, click here.

Milestones Trust is a not-for-profit organisation that is managed by a Board of Trustees, who combine their knowledge and expertise to help guide decisions within the Trust. Our Exec Team are a group of expert individuals who are dedicated to ensuring that high standards of care are delivered to the people we support. See who they are below!

Exec team

Our Exec team oversees and directs Milestones Trust’s operations. The team is led by our Chief Executive who reports directly to the Board of Trustees.

Hilary Crowhurst

Chief Executive

Hilary Crowhurst Chief Executive

Hilary Crowhurst

Chief Executive

I joined Milestones Trust in March 2020.

I have spent my entire career working to develop and provide services for people with disabilities. I am passionate about delivering services that reflect the aspirations of the people we support ensuring that they and their families have choice and control over their lives.

I have an MA in the Applied Psychology of Developing Services for People with Disabilities from the Tizard Centre University of Kent and have worked across the statutory, charitable and private sectors.

I am proud and excited to be a part of Milestones Trust, building on our values, quality, and positive attitude, and developing innovative services with a strong local focus across the South West.

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William Oborne

Director of Business Development

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William Oborne

Director of Business Development

I have extensive experience in the social care sector, with a track record of designing and implementing new services. Before joining Milestones, I was Community Engagement and Development Manager for Lifeways Group, where I was responsible for leading the Business Development Team in the South East of England. I also worked at Precious Homes, an organisation that provides support and bespoke environments for people with learning disabilities, autism, and complex needs. I’m driven by my compassion and love for the sector, and my commitment to driving forward quality and excellence. I’m an avid Arsenal fan, and outside of work I enjoy walks with my dog and playing golf.

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Qamar Khan

Director of Estates, Facilities and IT

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Qamar Khan

Director of Estates, Facilities and IT

For more than two decades I’ve worked in social housing in a variety of different roles. For the past 12 years, I have led on first Knightstone’s and then LiveWest’s estate management programme, working to create safe and enjoyable spaces and environments for people living in more than 40,000 properties across the South West. I have a wealth of knowledge of contract procurement, contract management, service development, and estate and fire safety compliance. Outside of work, my passion is cricket. Although I retired from playing last year, I’m still involved in the sport as a level 2 ECB qualified coach. During the Covid-19 pandemic I got into cycling and I’ve since taken on a number of cycling challenges to raise money for charity.

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Geralyn Meehan

Director of HR and Staff Development

Geralyn Meehan

Director of HR and Staff Development

I joined Milestones Trust as Director of HR in 2016. Previously, I provided HR support for social and health care providers, in the not-for-profit, private and public sectors. In my last role at Smith & Williamson, I provided client-facing HR consultancy services. I bring a wide range of skills to my role and am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel in recognition of my work as an HR strategist. I also hold a postgraduate qualification in business strategy.

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Hilary Pearce

Director of Finance

Hilary Pearce

Director of Finance

I joined the Trust in November 2017, having spent the previous 17 years also in social care (learning disabilities) at Directorship level. I hold a professional accountancy qualification (ACCA) having qualified in practice over 25 years ago.  I have worked in the not for profit sector since qualifying, with roles in further and higher education colleges and in a probation service, before social care. I enjoy this sector as the many challenges are countered by the strong values base. Seeing the positive impact on the people we support, that person centred and innovative services, delivered by passionate and committed staff can have,  is extremely rewarding. I look forward to bringing my experience and knowledge to Milestones, and helping to shape the future direction of the Trust.

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Jeff Parry

Director of Operations

Photograph of Jeff Parry, SMT

Jeff Parry

Director of Operations

I have worked in the sector for over 30 years in many settings including schools, hospitals and respite services. I joined the Trust in 2000, as Deputy Manager at the newly opened Elysian Villas and subsequently have worked in many management roles within the organisation, championing initiatives as diverse as our arts programme Expressions, the Good Food campaign aimed at increasing the quality of food available in care settings, and encouraging political participation through our “Your Vote” events . I am a registered nurse (RNLD). I have spent much of my career supporting people with a learning disability and complex behaviours often resulting from underlying mental health concerns, and I was, for many years, a Positive Behavioural Support Trainer.

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Trustees

The role of the Board of Trustees is to support the Exec team to help shape and develop our strategic direction. Their unique mix of skills and wide commercial and sector experience allows us to operate effectively as a charity, business, and care provider.

Donald Nordberg

Chair of Trustees

Photograph of Donald Nordberg

Donald Nordberg

Chair of Trustees

I am a writer and specialist in strategy and corporate governance, writing two books on that subject and dozens of research papers and reports on that subject. During nearly 20 years in academia and more than that as a financial journalist and business strategist, I have examined the work of boards of directors across a wide range of sectors and countries. At Bournemouth University, I worked on projects on dementia, including one concerning leadership of health and social care organisations across the southwest. A native of Chicago, I have lived in Germany and Switzerland, and have been resident in the UK for many years. After Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Illinois, I earned an MBA at Warwick Business School and a PhD in Management Studies at the University of Liverpool and a second PhD in creative writing from the University of Exeter.

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Paula Lock

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Paula Lock

I have over 28 years of experience working in the social housing with care environment. I specialise in support, housing management, procurement of estate services, and rent and service charges processes. I’m a Chartered Member of the Institute of Housing and a Fellow Member of the Chartered Management Institute. I am very proud to be one of Milestones’ Trustees. As a dyslexic person myself, I believe in championing awareness of neurodivergent people and people with disabilities. My passion for good quality housing with support and care services was initially driven by my experiences as a child with a parent with enduring mental health issues. That drew me to work in an industry where I could help to improve the life opportunities and outcomes of some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

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Jan Lawry

Jan Lawry

I’m a retired musculoskeletal physiotherapist. I’ve spent my entire career in the health and social care sector and have established my own healthcare consultancy, J Lawry Healthcare Management. With a Level 4 qualification in multi-agency safeguarding and Level 2 in Patient Safety Investigations, my work now focuses on service reviews, evaluations, policy writing, governance and serious incident investigations across the NHS, private providers, government, local authorities and the third sector. To date I have written 10 major reports for a variety of health and social care commissioners and providers. I’m a Safeguarding Governor for a school in my adopted hometown of Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, and an active member of the Gloucestershire Emergency Support Team. I’m delighted and honoured to be a Trustee for Milestones and to have the opportunity to be of service to this brilliant organisation.

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Susan Cummings

Susan Cummings

Susan Cummings

I am a US-qualified lawyer with 25+ years’ international experience providing leadership and strategic advice. I have worked as in-house counsel for US, Japanese and French investment banks in London and began my career working on privatisation in Poland. I have extensive experience leading legal strategy, managing risk and adapting to evolving business environments. I work collaboratively with stakeholders at all levels to deliver pragmatic strategic solutions. I am solutions-driven. I am passionate about making a difference for people and the Trust’s mission to help people live better lives. I have experience supporting expanding businesses and tackling unanticipated crises. I am on the Advisory Board of Link Up London.

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Shamraz Begum

Shamraz Begum, Trustee

Shamraz Begum

I have 21 years of experience in Financial Services. Working at NatWest Group, I have served in several leadership roles and am a trusted advisor providing coaching and consultancy to senior leaders across the bank. In 2019 I was elected by colleagues to be one of the Global Co-chairs of the Multicultural Network driving the bank’s agenda on racial equality. In 2020, in response to the events surrounding the death of George Floyd, I was appointed to co-lead NatWest’s Racial Equality Taskforce to examine the key issues facing Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic colleagues, customers and communities. My passion lies in driving purposeful change, to challenge inequality and build a better future, one where the richness derived from diversity is valued, and an inclusive society where everyone is given equal opportunity – a society where everyone thrives.

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Daniel Elder

Daniel Elder, Trustee

Daniel Elder

I am a finance professional with a Professional Qualification from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. I have worked across a range of different sectors over 15 years including Financial Services, Media, Telecoms and Manufacturing. I am currently Senior IT Cost Manager at SSE, working on complex cross functional projects involving planning, executing, controlling and closing projects. I have lived in Bristol for the last 10 years having relocated for a job. I have previous charity experience including an assignment in South Africa with ActionAID and more recently as treasurer at Bristol A.R.C.

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Neil Baines-Thomas

Neil Baines-Thomas

Neil Baines-Thomas

I am an independent management consultant specialising in helping organisations with changes in regulation, culture and processes. I am also an accredited Executive and Team Coach and currently studying a post-graduate qualification in personal coaching. My background and experience has mainly been in the financial services sector in senior management positions in Operations, HR and Distribution. I also am a volunteer coach and mentor with the Cranfield Trust, an organisation that provides professional services and support to small and medium-size charities. I am a proud Bristolian who passionately believes in helping others and supporting charitable causes, therefore I am delighted to be working with Milestones as a Trustee.

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David Sarpong

David Sarpong, Trustee

David Sarpong

In search of opportunities to give something back to my adopted city of Bristol, I joined the Trust as a Trustee in 2021. Born and raised in Ghana, I came to Bristol approximately 20 years ago to study at the University of the West of England (UWE), where I received my BA(Hons) and PhD in Strategy and Innovation Management in 2010. I previously held a lectureship post at UWE Bristol where I led the Bristol MSc International Management programme. I am currently Professor of Strategic Management at Brunel University London, and an elected Vice Chair of the British Academy of Management (BAM).

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Tim Jenkinson

Tim Jenkinson

Tim Jenkinson

I am a chartered accountant with over 30 years of experience across a range of sectors, including nine years as a Finance Director in social care organisations. I am currently Head of Finance at the Office for Students, the regulator of the English higher education sector. I have lived in Bristol since I came here to the University in 1984 where I studied Chemistry. I am married and have four grown up sons. In my non-work time, I like to play hockey (South Glos Hockey Club) and I am the Group Scout Leader at the 77th Bristol Scout Group.

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Sue Jones

Sue Jones

Sue Jones

I joined as a Trustee following retirement after 39 years working in the NHS. My clinical practice was in children’s nursing before progressing into nursing leadership and management roles. I am an experienced Director with nine years’ experience as a Director of Nursing and Quality, firstly at Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, then six years at North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT). This was during a time of great change, moving two hospitals into one new PFI on the Southmead site. More recently, after returning to a different role following illness, I led on international recruitment of nurses, worked with the safeguarding team and developed the NBT Learning Disability Strategic Plan.

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David Wilson

David Wilson

I’ve spent 40 years working in the voluntary sector, 25 of them with first-hand experience of senior executive management and board level governance. In 1990, I set up the Robert Owen Communities (ROC) charity for people with learning disabilities, which grew into a highly regarded organisation. ROC merged with a national charity in 2016 and I changed career to train and qualify as an Executive Coach and Mentor. In fact, it was my commitment to helping people with learning disabilities to discover and realise their aspirations that led me into coaching. I bring this same commitment to the board of Milestones Trust.

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