York Professionals Board Members
Our board comprises volunteers from businesses and organisations across York's professional services sector, bringing together a wealth of knowledge and experience.
You can find out more about each of our board members below and if you're interested in future board vacancies, please get in touch with York Professionals administrator, Jo Pickering by email.
Michelle Mook
Chair
Elliot Rich
Vice Chair
Karen Tinkler
Director
Jonathan Doyle
Director
Simon Hudson
Director
Simon Middleton
Director
Susie Mortonson
Director
Jackie Senior
Director
Emma Varley
Director
Jo Pickering
Administrator
The Role of York Professionals Board Director
The role of Board Director is fast-moving, challenging and varied. Interested applicants need to have been employed in a senior position by a company which is an established member of York Professionals.
By becoming a Board Director you will:
- Join a great group of like-minded professionals and have the chance to support and shape the work and strategic direction of our not-for-profit organisation.
- Be recognised on Companies House as a Board Director and provide an opportunity for you to gain experience as a non-executive director, explore areas such as setting a strategic vision, influencing and negotiation, leadership and managing risk.
- Have the kudos of being a part of this successful 20-year old initiative and make a real difference to our business community.
- Being a board member provides an opportunity for professional development and can be one of the richest sources of learning in your professional life. You will get to apply your unique skills and experience whilst also learning from others.
- Feel good in the knowledge that you would be giving something back to the City of York.
The Role:
- To contribute to the activities of York Professionals, providing expertise and insight as required and directed by the regular Board Meetings.
- To take part in working groups which meet outside of the regular Board Meetings. Working groups cover specific areas such as ‘Membership’, ‘Marketing Strategy’ or particular events that require additional input, planning and support such as the ‘York Professionals Annual Dinner’.
- To be an ambassador for York Professionals and promote the benefits of membership to the wider business community.
- Tenure will be for three years, upon which you may seek re-election.
The person will have:
- Availability to attend regular Board Meetings (held every six weeks).
- At least five years’ experience in their profession.
- Significant personal profile and contacts network within the City of York.
Here’s what some of our current Board Directors have to say:
“I joined York Professionals many years ago and had the opportunity to step up onto the Board of Directors a few years later. Having never done anything like this before it was an incredible opportunity to see what working with a Board of Directors looks like, feels like and the role I could play. Working with such an incredibly talented group of people at this level is hugely rewarding and I felt I was able to make a difference very quickly just by sharing my experience and knowledge. But I have also learnt so much too. I subsequently went on to become Chair in 2018 which was such a great opportunity for me to lead a team of volunteers but at a very different level to what I had experienced previously. I have learnt so much about myself, about leading others and leading through a pandemic! That wasn’t an expected outcome, but I am very proud of what we, as a Board of Directors, have achieved together to support our members and each other through such a challenging time. I would highly recommend considering joining the board if you are looking for a new opportunity to make a difference to your local business community”.
Michelle Mook, Managing Director, Pro-Development (UK) Ltd
“York is a unique City in so many ways and being part of the York business community means a lot to me personally. Therefore, being invited to join the Board of York Professionals was not only an honour but also an opportunity to directly contribute to bringing businesses closer together. The YP Board works as a close and effective team to attract new businesses to join and throughout the year organises networking and educational events to benefits its wider member audience. We all work together, bringing our own skills set, experiences and business contacts to ensure York remains a strong, vibrant business community and through our membership actively engage with them to make it flourish.”
Elliot Rich, Managing Director, The Alternative Board
“G+E have been a YP member since the start and on the Board for as long as I can remember too. When my predecessor stepped down due to relocation, I seized the opportunity to join and become Treasurer. Prior to joining I did chat to a couple of contacts who had been involved previously and everyone’s experience had been really positive. For me it was a great way to develop my network with like-minded business people and also my skill set, getting involved in things I would not ordinarily do in my role with G+E. I am enjoying the role and feel that I have grown in confidence and really got to know a great group of people with different specialisms.”
Jackie Senior, Director, Garbutt + Elliott