Meet our Management Committee

We have six trustees who sit on our Management Committee, to find out more about them scroll down this page.

Karl Frisby, Chair Joined in 2009		Karl Frisby has 10 years of experience in the voluntary and community sector (VCS), specialising in adult learning and training. He is currently CPD Research Programme Manager at the Institute for Learning. In his previous role at Hackney Training and Employment Network (HTEN), his research inquiries included strategic development work with Team Hackney and The Learning Trust, as well as with key agencies including the Learning & Skills Council, the London Development Agency, Jobcentre Plus and the Connexions service. This work enabled Hackney VCS training organisations to play a stronger role in local and regional policy building as well as developing and communicating those strategies. Karl is a fully qualified ESOL practitioner and PRINCE2 project manager.
Dr Bekele Gessesse appointed 12 Mar 08		Bekele Gessesse was appointed to the HCVS Management Committee in October 2008 by co-option and was elected in March 2008 at HCVS' AGM.  Bekele has over 20 years of experience of Hackney’s voluntary and community sector as staff, consultant and member of a number of Boards of Trustees. Bekele runs Agroforep, an organisation which provides information, advice and guidance and skills training to lead refugees into jobs and/or further and higher education. He also is an active member of Hackney Refugee Forum. Contact: Bekele Gessesse, Agroforep on 0207 923 4449 or bekele@agroforep3.freeserve.co.uk
Eileen Bellott appointed 12 Mar 08		Eileen Bellott was appointed to the HCVS Management Committee in March 2008. Eileen’s work within the borough spans over 15 years as an educator and curriculum developer inspiring adults and young people to achieve their personal aspirations. She has worked as an Art & Design lecturer at Hackney Community College and College Coordinator at Perpetual Beauty Carnival College, before going onto being a co-founder of Hands Inc.   Eileen is Chair and Operational Manager of Hands Inc., an organisation which strives to inspire health and wellbeing for individuals and organisations and helps to improve health and increase access to complementary therapies and wellbeing activities.   Contact: Eileen Bellott, Hands Inc   www.handsinc.co.uk
Maggie Cooke, Treasurer, Appointed 12 Mar 08		Maggie Cooke was appointed to the HCVS Management Committee in March 2008. Maggie lives on a housing estate within the local community, and is a carer for her husband, she set up and is the Chair of Evelyn Court Tenants & Residents Association (TRA) and sits on the Dalston Community Advisory Panel. She is very interested in Tenant's Rights and Tenant Participation. Contact: Maggie Cooke, Evelyn Court Tenants Association ecat.hackney@hotmail.co.uk
Pam Frost - Joined in 2009		Pam Frost works with Peter Bedford Housing Association.  This organisation works in Islington and Hackney alongside people who have faced long term exclusion from society through homelessness, mental health problems, learning difficulties or multiple needs.  http://www.peterbedford.org.uk/
Paula Graham - Co-opted in 2009		Paula Graham has 20 years experience of IT in the voluntary and community sector (VCS) including London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard Information Management, Cinenova Women's Film Distribution, IT4Communities, ELCVS ICT Project, SocialSource, Eclectic Tech Carnival, Technology and Social Action. Currently she is Director of Fossbox, a CIC providing IT research, advocacy, advice and support to VCOs in East London. Contact:  Click here to email Paula Graham or visit www.fossbox.org.uk