Our team

Tina is a consultant in the NHS, specialising in women's healthcare. 

Sofiya Patel was her dear friend. Over the last 3 and a half years she saw how Sofiya bravely battled Ovarian cancer and was an inspiration to all of us. As a doctor looking after her patients and as a friend who has tried to support others during their difficult times, she understands the importance of the work of this charity and feel she can bring a useful perspective. She knows from professional experience that art therapy is a wonderful opportunity to help with mental wellbeing and provides a much needed outlet for expression. She looks forward to supporting the charity and Bob Sutcliffe with his amazing work.

Michaela Peskett brings 20 years of major event and project management experience to the board of Trustees. Previously the Head of Fundraising Events at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, she has a wealth of experience in creating fundraising events for individuals, partnerships and major donors.  Through her senior roles on international events such as the London Olympic Torch Relay and Tour de France, she brings experience of logistics, budgets, project management and marketing.

Gary Is a father of two daughters aged 10 and 14. He graduated from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology in 1991 with a B.Eng (Hons) in Electronic Engineering. After graduating he worked at Wray Castle College near Ambleside for 8 years lecturing students on HNC/HND courses before switching to Telecommunications Training where he worked around the UK and also briefly in Saudi Arabia. 

He then switched over into the mobile telecommunications industry working for the network operator 3 and since 2005 has been employed by Ericsson as a Senior Radio Planning and Optimisation Engineer. In August 2018 his wife, Sofiya, was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer and he supported her through three and a half years of treatment until she sadly passed away in January 2022. His main focus now is to carry on her legacy in bringing up our daughters and supporting other cancer patients in whatever way he can.

Sam is a creator, problem solver, and business owner. His business is a small, high-end CGI studio that embodies what he enjoy and where he thrives; crafting experiences that are profound, memorable, and of substance.

Outside of work, he is a keen explorer of new places and people, learning new skills along the way. He has participated in countless charitable events and been fortunate enough to host several of his own.

Sam would like to think he can bring creative solutions to the Trust. It’s important to him that this type of organisation capitalises on opportunities to ensure its impact is maximised to help the highest number of people in the most significant way.

Nigel joined Booths in November 2015 having spent his career to date in the food retail sector with Safeway, Tetley, Asda and Greggs.

Born and bred in Blackburn, Lancashire he attended Manchester Polytechnic (Met) where he gained a B.A.(Hons) in Accounting & Finance followed by a Post Graduate Diploma and C.I.M. professional qualification in Marketing Management.   

Within Booths Nigel is a member of the Board team and takes Executive responsibility for all commercial, operational and people functions.

Nigel is a member of the Lancashire LEP Food & Agriculture group and is also a Lancashire Ambassador working with Marketing Lancashire.

Home is in Harrogate, Yorkshire where he lives with wife Sue and their youngest son Jack plus Bob the Dog.  Daughter, Isabelle, is currently studying English Literature at The University of Edinburgh.

Any spare time is spent watching cycling, reading about cycling, talking about cycling, tinkering with cycles and………cycling! 

Nigel recently rode the full Tour De France route (all 21 stages) as one of a team of 18 amateur cyclists to raise over £1m for the charity, Cure Leukaemia. 

Caroline is a GP working in Longridge.

She got to know Bob particularly as a teacher at her children’s school and in the aftermath of his illness.

She was amazed by the quality of his emerging artwork and humbled by his fundraising.

She hopes her knowledge as a GP and the health service will help the charity and is honoured to be acting as a Trustee. 

Edwin Booth CBE DL

Executive Chairman E H Booth & Co Ltd

Edwin has put provenance and local sourcing at the forefront of the offering at Booths stores in the North of England. He chaired the BITC advisory board for the North West from 2007 to 2014 and in 2011 took the chair of the Lancashire LEP for 7 years. He is Chair of the Harris Charity in Lancashire and served on the Prince’s Countryside Fund trustee board from its inception for 12 years. Edwin has supported Lancaster University in the areas of leadership and business change and in 2010 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for his services to the region and his industry. He received the award of CBE in 2019 for his services to business and charity and in 2021/22 performed the role of High Sheriff of Lancashire. He formed the Employment Advisory Board at HMP Lancaster Farms in 2022 which he chairs