Trustees Details

Keith Davies

Chair of Trustees, Finance and Resources

Keith is a retired director from Bolton Council, who was responsible for bringing significant investment into the town over his time with the Council. Projects that he led over his 14 years with the Council included developments at the Innovation Zone, including the new University of Bolton, Bolton College and Bolton One and the development of the Logistics North site which has brought thousands of jobs to the town. In working with partners bringing these projects to fruition he utilised his exceptional negotiation skills and abilities to identify significant risks and at the Trust he acts as the Chair of the Finance & Resources Committee.

Chair.Trustboard@boltonimpacttrust.org.uk

Denise Luczka

Deputy/Vice Chair

Dee is currently CEO of an organisation who support young adults and has had experience of working in Local Government for over 38 years.

Paul Hodgkinson

Chief Executive Officer

Paul started working at Youth Challenge Pupil Referral Unit in 1997 where he held numerous positions. He started as a voluntary mentor before becoming a class teacher and eventually the Teacher in Charge in 2003. During his time as Teacher in Charge, Youth Challenge was judged Outstanding by Ofsted on two occasions. In 2010 he became Manager of the Bolton Pupil Referral Service and oversaw the federation of all of Bolton’s PRUs. In 2014 he was also appointed Interim Executive Headteacher of Lever Park School. Working closely with the staff team, he led the development and delivery of a Rapid Improvement Plan which resulted in the school being removed from Special Measures in 2016. Paul has advised the DfE, Local Authorities and schools on leadership, behaviour management strategy, alternative provision funding and governance. In 2016 he was appointed Executive Principal of the Bolton Impact Trust. Paul is passionate about investing in staff and was the architect of the Trust's People Strategy. The strategy focuses on recruitment, staff development, talent spotting, developing future leaders and the Trust's approach to staff wellbeing and workload.

Joshua Bennett

Chair of Standards Committee

Josh is a civil servant with extensive experience across local and central government. For the past nine years he has worked as a senior policy advisor at the Department for Education, leading multi-disciplinary teams and applying HR policies in line with civil service standards. His work has focused on ministerial priorities, including forming the children's social care and Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) systems, tackling serious youth violence and improving the mental health and wellbeing of post-16 students. Josh also has significant experience in compliance, regulation and legislation, with experience of working in HM Courts and Tribunals Service, supporting the passage of several Bills through Parliament, and working closely with legal teams and Counsel to manage litigation and defend claims against HM Government. Josh is passionate about championing vulnerable and disadvantaged children and using his lived and professional experiences to improve outcomes for those in alternative provision. At the Trust, Josh serves as Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee.

Susan Hincks

Sue is a retired headmistress who is currently chair of the Girls’ Schools’ Association education committee and an Independent School Inspector. Sue has ex officio membership of the Headmasters’ Conference Academic Policy Committee and chaired the GSA/HMC Universities’ Committee. She was President of the GSA 2019 and is also on the advisory board of the College of Teaching.

Julia Paradine

Julia is a retired primary Headteacher with 18 years of leadership experience, during which she developed extensive expertise in people management and the application of HR policy. While working with Berkshire Local Authority she held the position of SENCO, a role that fostered her strong commitment to supporting children with additional needs and their families.

Janet Moores

Janet has spent her career working in the public sector - mainly within Local Government, and with Greater Manchester Police Force. As a qualified Accountant, Janet was Head of Finance leading a team responsible for both the financial operations and statutory functions of a large and diverse police force. Janet retired in January 2024.

Ed Kirk

Ed is the Head of School Improvement for secondary schools within a Local Authority. With over 20 years’ experience in secondary education – including 15 years in senior leadership roles - he brings extensive expertise in assessment, curriculum design and quality first teaching. He has played a significant role in the day to day leadership and management of large staff teams, including responsibility for formal HR processes. Throughout his career Ed has successfully led strategic developments in teaching and learning, ensuring high standards of curriculum planning and implementation to have the most impact in the classroom. In his current role, he works closely with schools and multi-academy trusts to provide rigorous quality assurance, targeted support and leadership in all areas of school improvement. His work focuses on building capacity, driving sustainable improvement and securing the best outcomes for all learners.

James Gilliver

James is an experienced leader and board member, soon to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer at Unity Mutual from January 2026. In his current position, he oversees operations supporting more than 270,000 Child Trust Fund accounts, helping families from all backgrounds make informed financial decisions for their futures. With a career in mutual and financial services, James is committed to placing people at the heart of strategy and service delivery, to build inclusive high-performing teams and deliver ethical, effective operational outcomes. James’ experience navigating dyslexia has shaped his leadership philosophy, fostering inclusion, empathy, and a culture where everyone can thrive. He is passionate about contributing his expertise in governance, strategy, and community engagement to drive positive impact within the wider community.