Point North welcomes four new trustees
We’re delighted to announce the appointment of four new trustees: Judith Hartley MBE, Sarah Thorpe, Alison Dunn, and Tim Mallon.
Each trustee brings a wealth of experience, a passion for County Durham and the wider North East, and a commitment to strengthening communities, perfectly complementing our existing board.
Their appointment comes as we celebrate our 30th anniversary and embrace a new era following our rebrand as part of our wider strategy to modernise.
Michelle Cooper our Chief Executive said: “We’re excited to welcome new trustees to Point North who join us at such an important time. Their expertise, passion, and local knowledge will help push forward our mission to create better today and a brighter tomorrow for our communities. Their guidance will help shape our next chapter, one driven by bold ideas, strategic growth, and a commitment to the people and places we serve.”
Meet the four new trustees
Joining the other six trustees at Point North, Judith, Sarah, Alison and Tim will bring their experience across a range of industries to our team.
Judith Hartley MBE
Judith Hartley is a senior finance professional with extensive experience in the delivery of national SME access to finance programmes on behalf of the UK government and in corporate banking.
She has held several senior executive positions within the UK’s economic development bank – the British Business Bank – including CEO of British Business Investments and British Patient Capital which are its two commercial investment subsidiaries. Judith’s earlier career was in corporate banking with Barclays and Bank of Scotland.
Now residing in Durham City, Judith is a Non-Executive Director for two North East fund management companies, NEL Fund Managers Limited and Northstar Ventures UK and is also Chair of the Alumni Advisory Board at Durham University’s Hazan Venture Lab. Judith was awarded an MBE in the King’s 2025 New Years Honours for ‘services to business’.
Judith said: “I was born and brought up in Durham and am very proud of my North East roots. I would like to support others within this area and am delighted to be joining the board of Point North Community Foundation as it does vitally important work to fight poverty and enrich lives in County Durham and beyond.
“Michelle and her team do a fantastic job and I’m looking forward to working with them and the other board trustees, to enhance Point North’s impact in our area.”
Sarah Thorpe
Sarah Thorpe serves as Regional Manager for UKSE, an organisation which supports growing businesses with loan and equity finance packages. She is responsible for UKSE’s investment and property matters in the North of England and has held this role for the last 12 years.
Sarah has wide expertise in portfolio management, business planning and strategy, start-ups, funding and preparing businesses for investment. She has built up considerable experience in public and private sectors, working region-wide with companies, investors, and business angels.
On her appointment to the Point North Board, Sarah said: “The Point North team are doing some truly amazing work in our communities to support people and places that are making a real difference. I am delighted to be able to offer my services as a Trustee, and to support a team that cares and is committed to fighting poverty and creating brighter prospects for everyone.”
Alison Dunn
Alison Dunn is the Chief Executive Officer of independent charity Citizens Advice Gateshead, host of the podcast series, ‘This is the North’, social justice activist, TV and news media commentator, Chair of Trustees for VONNE and former solicitor.
Alison’s passion is social justice, because a more equal society is better for everyone including those that have and those that do not. Through a career that spans the private, public and charitable sectors in both strategy and operations she has dedicated her work to changing the policy, practice and perceptions preventing us from having a fair society for all, with lives well lived.
Alison shared: “I am truly honoured to join Point North’s Board of Trustees. Their work addressing poverty, inequality, disadvantage and inclusion resonates deeply with my personal values. The organisation’s commitment to creating positive change for communities made this an opportunity I simply couldn’t pass up. I am really looking forward to contributing to Point North’s mission and working alongside fellow trustees to tackle the issues facing our communities and more.”
Tim Mallon
Tim Mallon is an Accountant and Tax Adviser and former Chair of the North East England branch of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.
Now self-employed, Tim has worked in senior roles in a number of accounting firms across the North East. He is also a Trustee of St Benedict’s Hospice.
On his appointment to the Point North Board of Trustees, Tim said: “As someone who grew up in part of our region which suffered from deprivation, the support that Point North provides to those in need means a great deal to me. I am pleased to join the Board in our 30th year and hope to help our superb team using my insight from 40 years in business.”
Meet all the Point North trustees
