CHAIR

Martin is currently Manager of the Information and Advice Team at AGE UK Lambeth, having previously worked in Bournemouth for 12 years: 6 of those years as CEO of Citizens Advice Bournemouth and subsequently as CEO of both the Bourne Spring Trust and the Boscombe Independent Advice Centre.

Immersed in the wider politics of the VCS, Martin has served on various Trustee Boards throughout his professional life.

Shailesh works as a Digital Product Owner for a multinational company in financial services industry, and brings those skills to support CAN’s digital innovation agenda. Being a Paul Harris Fellow (Rotary International), he has seen the importance and impact of community-based action and volunteering. He recently volunteered as a Covid Vaccine Marshall and saw the first-hand impact that Community Action Network could create. He is also involved with multiple business resource groups at work and is specifically passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion.

Shailesh holds a Meng Degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Southampton, where he was also elected as the International Student’s Officer to overlook the development and welfare of more than 5000 students from over 50 countries.

Outside of work, Shailesh loves travelling and has been to over 25 countries.

Debbie has been a trustee at Bournemouth CVS since 2012. She worked in local government for 28 years and set up a local charity called Bournemouth 2026 Trust which had close connections to Bournemouth CVS. She has extensive knowledge of partnership working across public, private and voluntary sector.

She is a passionate supporter of the voluntary sector and currently volunteers to support nursing students using her own experience as someone with chronic health conditions as part of the BU PIER group. Debbie is registered disabled and is unable to work but likes to use her experience and knowledge to support the organisation.

Rupert Ogwuazor works with Global Markets division of multinational investment bank. He holds a bachelors degree in Economics and is a professional accountant. 

Rupert also leads his local Nigerian Community in Dorset and is an active member of his church, where he mentors teenagers and young adults. 

He enjoys spending time with his family and is a semi-professional photographer in his spare time. 

Laura recently returned to Dorset where she grew up, following a career in the UK civil service, international aid and community activism in the UK. She has more than 6 years of combined experience as a trustee of various charities including BOND which is the UK’s network of international development organisations.

She is an advocate for the importance of community based action and volunteering as well as for the membership networks that support these place based activities to learn from one another and have influence on decision makers. She is currently the Director of Change, Transformation and Growth at BCHA.

Pauline Sharp set up Sharp Care Consultancy in 2018, after previously working for over twenty-three years for an established Dorset care company within the Domiciliary Care sector and community, as their Director of Care and Registered Manager for three locations.

Pauline is committed to delivering person centred care by supporting staff (registered managers, care support workers), who need to feel confident about their ways of working and ensure their documentation complies with the CQC regulations.

Viv Allen is a baby advocate and cold water dipper. With over 40 years of volunteering in a variety of roles and organisations, and as the founder and CEO of DorPIP since 2017, she is deeply passionate about making a positive difference in the world.

As a Trustee at CAN, Viv brings her energy, expertise, and enthusiasm to help lead the way in shaping a brighter future for our community. Vis is committed to ensuring that CAN continues to make a meaningful impact where it’s needed most, and she is proud to be part of such an inspiring organisation.

Terri is the Chief Executive Officer of Age UK North, South and West Dorset, a role she has held since September 2022. She has successfully overseen comprehensive change, which includes embracing new strategic directions, advanced technology, and streamlined operational processes. Terri puts this success down to addressing cultural barriers and driving change management initiatives, ensuring active communication, and empowerment, and fostering a culture of collaboration across the organisation.

Having joined the VCSE sector from a corporate background during the COVID pandemic, Terri is a passionate advocate for collaboration over competition within the sector. She champions the pooling of resources, sharing of knowledge, and working together to achieve the best outcomes for the local community