Meet the Board

Graham Parker - Chair

Graham Parker joined the SEAP Board in 2010. After a career in manufacturing and international sales, Graham went on to use and develop his business and management skills in the third sector. He has held a number of senior management positions and now undertakes interim senior executive assignments as well as serving on a number of boards in a non-executive or trustee capacity. His present appointments include being a director of Relate. Graham champions the delivery of high-quality integrated community services and believes strongly that the needs of clients should be the principal driver of an organisation.

Mandy Heslop – Vice Chair

Mandy Heslop is currently working on training research and evaluation assignments in developing and transition countries and has over 20 years experience development projects in developing countries where she has specialised in participatory methodologies. Mandy has also worked as Research and Training Manager for a major international development charity. Mandy joined the SEAP Board in 2003 and her interests include project development, monitoring and evaluation and the application of participatory and rights-based approaches to programme planning and implementation.

Barbara Browning – Acting Company Secretary

Barbara Browning has been a SEAP Trustee for over 10 years and currently works in local government Human Resources. Previously a trade union representative, Barbara’s career has also included work in marketing and she has experience of working in partnership with other public bodies.

Marie Casey – Trustee

As Director of Hastings Voluntary Action, Marie prioritised service user involvement and established the first advocacy projects in Hastings and Rother - XPRESS, My Choice and Mental Health Advocacy. SEAP grew out of these projects. Marie has extensive experience of supporting community activities, project and organisational development, managing people and resources and promoting consumer rights. In addition Marie has chaired a wide range of voluntary organisations, multi-agency groups and public bodies including an NHS trust. She has lived and worked in Hastings for 21 years.

Sarah Holmes-Smith – Trustee

Sarah Holmes-Smith had been involved with SEAP for 10 years. She was a co-opted member of the SEAP Board whilst working as Director of Mental Health Services in East Sussex and then became a Trustee of SEAP in 2004. Sarah has managed and lead Mental Health Services for all ages and has also managed Learning Disabilities Services. With a nursing background, Sarah has worked mainly in the NHS, with 3 years in a not for profit organisation as Director for Mental Health and Older People Services. Her interests include promoting all aspects of mental health, LGBT issues and organisational change; she has been a carer.

Paul Cooper – Trustee

Paul Cooper’s background is health services management; his roles include District Administrator of Redbridge Health Authority, House Governor and General Manager of the Hospitals for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street and Health Services Planning Consultant to the former Crown Agents. He has also founded and directed a firm of Health Service Planning and Management Consultants working in the UK and overseas. Paul has held teaching posts and undertaken research projects at the King’s Fund College, the Medical Architecture Research Unit at the University of North London and for the Department of Health.

Jim Weller – Trustee

Jim Weller joined the SEAP Board in 2008 after taking early retirement in 2002. He worked for 35 years in the retail financial services sector, primarily in the City and West End of London. He brings operational management experience and knowledge of recruitment and the development of management teams. Since retiring he has been a Board Director for a sports club - a role with particular emphasis on building links with local authorities and funding bodies for the benefit of youth sports activities. Jim was a SEAP ICAS service user and has been involved in the recruitment of SEAP ICAS advocates.