After several years touring as a rock musician in the 60s and 70s, John Best trained as an Engineer, Sociologist and Town Planner and holds an MBA, working and raising his family for 25 years in East London.  In 1996 he moved to the new unitary Milton Keynes Council, latterly as Chief Executive 2002-2008.

Since then he has been active in the charity sector, committed to making MK, where he lives, an even more successful place.  From 2012 to 2018 he was a regional chair at the newly created Canal & River Trust, set up to manage the national canal network; since 2010 he has been a Trustee of the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust, setting up community trip boats at either end of the proposed BMK Waterway Park route, as well as progressing the route itself;  since 2010 he has chaired Arts GatewayMK, a longstanding creative agency in MK, running Arts Central Studios and MK Literary Festival.

He has long supported MK Community Trust, as a subscriber, fund-holder and occasional beneficiary, and welcomes the sustained support they give to MK`s charity and community sector.

Mark Ormerod is a highly respected leader in the sport, health, and community development sectors, with a career dedicated to fostering collaboration and driving positive change. Since 1995, Mark worked nationally and regionally for Sport England in a number of senior roles. Since 2012, he has served as CEO of Leap, where he has championed initiatives to increase physical activity and improve wellbeing across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

Gillian is Chief Executive of the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioners Office. She has a wealth of experience in the charity sector having been chair of a board of trustees historically for the Disability Resource Centre in Bedfordshire. She is a non-executive director of the aMazing Therapy Centre a CIC in High Wycombe, which provides affordable counselling services to communities in need. Gillian is passionate about ensuring communities have access to the support they need to live an inclusive life to the full and as such is keen to support the charity sector to provide relevant services to their communities.

Lorraine is an accounting professional with over 20 years’ experience supporting charities and community organisations across Milton Keynes. She loves championing local groups, supporting them with their finances as they grow with confidence, and brings an upbeat, encouraging, people-first approach to judging, always with a smile.  

Women in Enterprise is one of Milton Keynes’ longest-established not-for-profit networking organisations, with over four decades dedicated to nurturing, inspiring and challenging local working individuals. As Chair, I am committed to creating an environment built on trust, collaboration and celebration, where shared experience, honest conversation and mutual support enable people and businesses to grow.  As a proud volunteer myself I look forward to these awards championing charities in our community, raising awareness and encouraging collaboration and impact - values that sit at the heart of both Women in Enterprise and the Milton Keynes charity sector.  Alongside this I bring over 28 years’ experience in recruitment alongside my work as a careers coach, supporting individuals and organisations to realise their potential.

Marie has served as a ward councillor on Milton Keynes City Council since 2016 and was Mayor of Milton Keynes from 2024-2025.

During her time as the city's first citizen, Marie invited two care-experienced young people (who the City Council is the corporate parent for) to be her consorts throughout the year. This reflects her long-standing commitment to supporting children in care and care experienced young people, shaped by her involvement in the Council's Corporate Parenting Panel, which she has chaired since 2020. Marie has been a strong and consistent advocate for ensuring young people in care are heard, valued and supported. 

Throughout her Mayoral Year, Marie championed cycling and active travel. She launched Milton Keynes' first Festival of Cycling, a two-week event that encouraged residents of all ages to get active, boost their wellbeing and enjoy the city's open spaces on two wheels. But she didn't stop there with all things pedal power, she also worked to encourage more children to travel sustainably by supporting Bikeability training and launching bike buses, helping young people to develop essential road safety skills whilst embracing a healthy and environmentally friendly way to travel. 

Supporting children, young people and education has been a constant theme throughout her life. In 2007, she co-founded SMK Gateway with a family friend to help address educational underachievement, particularly among young people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. What began in a small room in Neath Hill with just a handful of young people has grown into a respected charity now based in the city centre, currently raising funds to build a new learning centre. Marie volunteered and worked with the charity for over 10 years before stepping back from her involvement in 2020. 

Originally from Ireland, Marie moved to Milton Keynes in 1997. Having lived and worked in the city for nearly 30 years, she has seen Milton Keynes and its communities grow and change. Marie is proud to live in a city with a strong and supportive community and understands the importance of working closely with partners, businesses, voluntary organisations and residents to make MK an even better place to live.

Dan Sherwood leads Marketing at Santander UK, having joined the bank in 2006 from global management consultancy Accenture. He directs the bank’s overall brand & marketing strategy and has overseen significant milestones in the establishment of the bank in the UK market, since rebranding to Santander in 2010.

Dan sits on the Executive Committee of UK advertising body ISBA, is a member of the national advisory group for the Sheffield Children’s Hospital and is a co-founder of 1IRON Indoor Golf.

Emily Darlington is the MP for Milton Keynes Central. She is Chair of the Backbench Committee for the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government and a member of the Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee. She was previously the Deputy Leader of Milton Keynes City Council.

Prior to her elected roles, she worked with an international development charity in Kenya, held senior roles in the university sector, public service innovation organisations and unions, and served as Special Advisor to the Department of Trade & Industry, and Special Advisor to the Chancellor of the Exchequer at HM Treasury

Robert has lived in Buckinghamshire all his life and moved to Milton Keynes in 1987. He is a Vice President of the Milton Keynes Community Foundation and former Chairman of the Buckinghamshire CLA (Country Land and Business Association). He is a member of the Thames Valley Rural Crime Partnership, Chairs the TVP North East Rural Community Forum and is a Member of the Milton Keynes IAG (Independent Advisory Group).

Head of Environment & Sustainable Development at Network Rail

Vicki grew up in north Bedfordshire and watched the development and expansion of Milton Keynes since its inception.  She has spent most of her adult life living in Olney and Emberton. The majority of her working life was spent working for Avon Cosmetics which enabled her to work her way through a variety of disciplines namely Finance, Regulatory Affairs, HR,  Supply Chain and latterly crisis management and business continuity.

She retired early to support Keith in his year as Mayor which was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Milton Keynes.  As Mayoress she was first introduced to the Milton Keynes Community Foundation and has continued to support and promote as a VP. 

Since retiring fully her activities have included latterly being Chair of Emberton Parish Council and Emberton Sports and Social Club.  To keep her brain engaged she undertakes specific projects for the Community Foundation and Ride High.

Vicki loves to be outside and walking her dogs, gardening and cycling are her go to activates and likes nothing better than a bracing walk on a Norfolk or Northumbrian beach.

Gamiel Yafai MBE DUni is a Diversity & Inclusion Strategist and CEO of Diversity Marketplace, a multi-award-winning DE&I consultancy. He has received numerous accolades including the Global Diversity Leadership Award and three MKBAA Awards, including Business of the Year. Gamiel works with world-leading employers to advance diversity, equity and inclusion through strategic culture change and talent initiatives that help employees realize their potential. He is the Co-author of "Demystifying Diversity" and "Yemen Proud," and serves as a Trustee of Women Leaders UK, Advisory board member for the MK International Festival and The Inclusion Foundation. In 2025, he received an MBE in His Majesty's Birthday Honours for Services to Diversity & Inclusion and an Honorary Doctorate from the Open University for his work in advancing DEI in Leadership across the voluntary sector. 

Hannah Ellams is the Director for Arts & Heritage Alliance Milton Keynes since January 2024, but has now worked in the Arts, Heritage and Culture sector for over 30 years.

She loves bringing the Cultural sector, schools and our wonderful communities together to collaborate. The best moment in any week is when she is being inspired seeing some the outstanding creativity which is currently being delivered across Milton Keynes.

Ruby Parmar is an experienced business advisor having worked in professional services for over 20 years including as a partner at PwC from where she retired in 2019. She now holds various roles including, Chair of the Board of MK College Group, Chair of TOTM, Trustee of Magic Bus, Women Leaders UK and MK ACT and she is a non-Executive Director of All Sports Whispers Ltd (Twenty3).  

Ruby mentors individuals and supports Diversity & Inclusion, and in her free time enjoys walking her dog, keeping fit, and growing veg.

Regional Managing Partner | National Head of Transactional

BTG Eddisons

Luke has a strong track record advising both institutional & private capital across the commercial property market. He has led some of the region’s most notable land and industrial transactions, known for a pragmatic, results-driven approach and the ability to unlock value in complex situations. Luke now works closely with clients on positioning and long-term value creation rather than purely transactional outcomes.

He played a key role in the sale of Kirkby Diamond to BTG Eddisons in 2025, helping to lead the process and now sits within the senior leadership team, driving growth, shaping strategy and supporting the continued evolution of the business.

Commercially minded and relationship-led, Luke is focused on building a platform that delivers consistent results for clients while strengthening BTG Eddisons’ position as a leading national advisory business.

Sally Alexander became Chief Executive at Milton Keynes College Group in October 2022. Sally started her career in Education as a teacher, supporting disadvantaged adults to develop both their skills and confidence to better engage with their communities and the world of work. 

Since her appointment as CEO, Sally has continued the College Group’s Fairer Futures strategy and delivered numerous initiatives including the annual College in the Community Day, the opening of the South Central Institute of Technology, further developing the work the College does in prison education, achieving White Ribbon Accreditation, and was very proud to support the team in achieving an overall ‘Good’ grade at the Ofsted Inspection in February 2024.

Jane Lambert is the CEO and Founder of ECG Healthcare and Makewell Clinic, bringing over 30 years of experience across hospital and community healthcare settings. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to improving access to high-quality healthcare and education for professionals and patients alike. Jane is particularly passionate about creating inclusive, neuro-affirming healthcare environments and expanding access to assessments and support for neurodivergent people and their families. As a judge, she brings compassion, integrity, and a deep understanding of community impact and innovation in health and wellbeing.

Kurshida has over 20 years’ experience of working for local and central government with strong track record in social action.  She has a passion for working with communities and has developed a unique vehicle in Milton Keynes for engaging with diverse communities in particular Muslims and faith-based communities who are seldom heard and less visible.

Kurshida is the founder of Trubys Garden, an interfaith charity promoting positive dialogue between Muslims and the wider community; Trustee and Chair of the Board of Trustees for Milton Keynes Community Foundation from 2020-2023; Chair of Citizens MK from 2016-2019; and Chair of Midlands Region of the Housing Learning and Improvement Network (Housing LIN) between 2016-2020.

Kurshida was the first Muslim Woman of Asian Heritage to take office of the High Sheriff in Buckinghamshire. Kurshida’s year was firmly rooted in her core Islamic values of Peace, Justice and Love for Humanity and her belief that ‘we have far more in common than that which divides us’. 

Sofeena has over twenty years’ experience in philanthropy and social impact, including work with the United Nations and senior leadership roles in international organisations such as the British Red Cross. She brings extensive board-level expertise, currently serving on the Aga Khan Education Board and has worked closely with boards across the charitable & social impact sectors. She currently serves on one of the committees of the Milton Keynes Community Foundation and has a strong track record of leading high performing teams.

TJ is an experienced community leader and passionate advocate for intersectional equity, inclusion, and grass roots empowerment. With a background in transformation, engagement, and governance, along with a strong connection to local voluntary sector work, they bring a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing communities in Milton Keynes. As a VP for Communities, they are committed to ensuring that diverse voices are not only heard but remain central to the Foundation’s work in creating a fairer, more connected City. TJ passionately believes that the recipe for successful communities relies on creating environments where local people can work together to find mutually beneficial solutions that work.

Mandy Legg is a hugely respected TEDx & mental health impact speaker, author and Women Leaders UK Award Finalist who shares her inspirational story of rebuilding her life and career after mental illness. After the harrowing experience of spending time in a psychiatric ward in her thirties, Mandy made the courageous decision to uncover her resilience and redefine her story.

After leaving hospital, Mandy’s career blossomed, and she went on to hold leadership positions in the arts and children’s services. She has also served as Mayoress of her city and was described as ‘the most prolific consort in her city’s mayoral history’. Her work as an artist has been showcased on ITV, and BBC2, and she is known for her powerful public speaking and her work breaking down mental health stigma, inspiring communities far and wide. Having found a way back from her own challenges, Mandy is now inspiring audiences across the UK to do the same.

Siv Vangen is Professor of Collaborative Leadership  in the Department of Public Leadership and Social Enterprise at The Open University Business School (OUBS). Her long-standing research explores governance, leadership and management of inter-organisational collaboration and she is co-author of the theory of collaborative advantage.  Siv is founding director, and chair, of the OUBS Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership.