Board and Management Team
The Board
David Coulter - Chair
David has 30 years of experience across the public and voluntary sectors and currently works as a Senior Associate in Compliance, focusing on the public sector, for the Equality and Human Rights Commission. He has a legal background (GDL and LLM in Equality and Human Rights Law) and has been a Trustee of Breakthrough UK since 2017
Stacey Stanhope - Vice Chair
Stacey has many years’ experience of project and policy leadership across a number of sectors, including the public and voluntary community sectors, local governemnt, the NHS. Her portfolios have included, hate crime, Violence Against Women and Girls, impact analysis and audit.
She is a a committed advocate for the rights of seldom heard and underserved communities, including disabled people.
She works to ensure that the voices of disabled people and their lived experience help to inform public policy and practice, particularly within the criminal justice sector.
Councillor Basil Curley - Trustee
Basil is a Councillor for Charlestown ward in North Manchester, and an employee of Manchester College. He is Chair of the Communities and Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee and is closely involved with Work Solutions. He is a champion of dignity and care and his main focus is on people who have mental health issues, giving support where it is needed whilst showing personal respect to people in all the different circumstances. Previously, Basil has been Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health and Housing. He organised a partnership of Manchester NHS Trusts and the Primary Care Trust to investigate employment opportunities for local people.
Sarah Harris - Trustee
Sarah is a passionate advocate for inclusion in the workplace with a special interest in supporting those with hidden disabilities and members of the LGBTQI community.
Currently working in the NHS, with previous experience in local government and the private sector, Sarah will help Breakthrough UK by contributing expertise in the areas of business strategy, performance management, governance, policy, continuous professional development and improvement.
Having 15 years’ experience as a Coach, Mentor and Workplace Mediator she also supports the career development of those from diverse backgrounds, both as a Coach and EDI panel member with Queen Bee Coaching (A Pankhurst Trust Service) and as an NHS Ambassador for Inspiring the Future.
Outside of work, she practices meditation, kickboxing and is a self-taught portrait artist.
Paul Brighouse - Trustee
Paul is an experienced Outdoor Instructor, specialising in working with disabled people. He is passionate about getting disabled people involved in outdoor adventures especially in climbing, high ropes, team building and bushcraft activity.
He is an experienced Trustee/Board member, formerly a Salford City Councillor, NHS non-exec director and Chair of School Governors.
He is also a member of a local community theatre company, appearing on stage and builds their set and scenery.
David Neibig - Trustee
David joined the board of Breakthrough UK in late 2023. He has held finance and governance roles in other charities and has previously worked as a volunteer with North West Ambulance Service. He is one Breakthrough UK’s representatives on the Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel.
Richard Currie - Trustee
Richard has been a long-time Board member and is a lifetime member of Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People. He is a passionate advocate for social justice, equality and the Social Model of Disability. He has previously worked for organisations such as My Support Money and the McPin Foundation. He is currently finishing a PhD in Disability and Citizenship and has co-authored a number of academic articles ,research reports and book chapters in the fields of disability studies, mental health and research methods.
He is currently employed as Co-production Lead at Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council.
The Management Team
Paul Berry - Finance and Business Manager
Paul has been with Breakthrough since 2020. He is an experienced accounts administrator and Finance Manager and has worked accross the private and voluntary sector in Greater Manchester.
Elaine Astley - Policy, Influence and Engagement Manager
Elaine has worked for Breakthrough for many years. She has managed a wide range of projects and services that seek to ensure that the lived expereince of d/Deaf and disabled people influences how services are developed and delivered.
James Gasarah - Business Development and Partnership Lead
James is an experienced Business Advsier and Business Strategist. He manages our Trading Arm, Equal Edge.
Michelle de Oude - Operations Manager
Michelle joined Breakthrough in 2023. She has worked for Disabled People’s Organisations in Service and Operations lead roles, and accross the public sector leading disabiltiy and equality projects. She has lived experience of disabilty being born visually impaired. She also has experience in the private sector.
We also have a small staff team that work across our Policy and Influence work projects and service delivery accross Greater Manchester.