Our diverse and inclusive teams

Welcome to PATH Yorkshire! For 37 years, we inspired and empowered Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic communities and Migrant groups through projects and programmes to develop their skills and enhance their chances in life.

PATH Yorkshire promotes inclusion and community cohesion, addresses the under-representation and disadvantages in the labour market, and collaboratively work with employers from all sectors to improve their workforce diversity.

As an organisation, we have a team of diverse talents and specialist skills working together to provide our services to local communities in Leeds and some parts of the Yorkshire region. 

Our PATH Yorkshire teams comprise of full-time and part-time staff, sessional workers, volunteers, EDI specialist consultants, and the Management Team. 

Meet some of the Team Members:

Vernon Richardson - Chief Executive
Colvyn Inniss - Project Manager

Educated at Leeds Metropolitan and Huddersfield University in ICT and Education, with 20 years of dedicated passion on enabling people to achieve their goals; has excellent track record of engaging with employers and stakeholders, ICT skills in networking and desktop applications. Loves to play and watch basketball when time permits.

Jessica Thompson - Business and Project Manager

Studied Commerce and Economics, a Business Management graduate and formally trained in Marketing. Advocates lifelong learning and community mobilisation for real and sustainable change, but aware of the challenges and barriers in both. Also a graduate of Theology and Medieval Studies at the University of Leeds, studied Biblical History summer courses at St. Anne’s College, University of Oxford. Tried learning Latin and Hebrew languages but did not try enough. Though a “Netflix binger”, still loves to hangout at Waterstones. Gets bored with redundant and non-progressive initiatives; believes that “change” is the only constant thing in life; and it is truly interesting to listen to a person as an individual.  

Shaista Ahmed - Finance Manager
Responsible for day-to-day accounting and finance management for over a decade at PATH; effectively manages multiple administrative responsibilities in a busy environment and works with the monitoring and quality assurance team. Enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with family.
Sultana Begum - Admin Assistant

A multi-lingual admin and finance assistant, speaks Bengali and Hindi. Has a keen interest in learning and developing skills. Likes visiting places and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Rehab Ghoneim - Project Coordinator
An organised and highly motivated person with years of experience in Education and Health. Completed postgraduate studies in Biochemistry. Passionate about community development work and keen to learn new skills. Enjoys working with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Kifle Gebregzabiher - Employment and Skills Officer

A highly motivated and well organised Accounting and Finance Graduate from Coventry University. Native Tigrigna Language speaker. Passionate in helping Refugees in finding work, employability trainings and integrate them into their local communities. Enjoys working with people from different backgrounds. Responsible for providing information, advice and guidance to PATH programme beneficiaries. Likes watching movies and spending good time with family and friends in his free time.

Elliot Reid - Employment and Skills Officer

With a passion for technology and IT, Elliot delivers digital skills classes and provide support to projects supporting refugees and migrants towards employment, education or training.

Kanval Soor - Employment and Skills Officer
Natalie Bissell - Adult Learning Tutor and IQA Lead
Gurpreet Kaur - ESOL Tutor, Refugees Team

Board of Trustees

Melvyn Wyatt - Chair

First Generation Black British of Caribbean descent who grew up in Chapeltown Leeds and a graduate of the University of Warwick where he studied Management Science.

Spent 8 years analysing stock markets for Pension Funds before becoming a Financial Adviser. Co-owner of Independent Financial Advisory practice Hinchliffe, Watts & Wyatt Ltd based in Leeds.

Served on the committees of Leeds West Indian Centre and Mandela Centre as well as playing for and managing local football teams in Chapeltown and Chapel Allerton in Leeds.

Melvyn Wyatt - Chair

First Generation Black British of Caribbean descent who grew up in Chapeltown Leeds and a graduate of the University of Warwick where he studied Management Science.

Spent 8 years analysing stock markets for Pension Funds before becoming a Financial Adviser. Co-owner of Independent Financial Advisory practice Hinchliffe, Watts & Wyatt Ltd based in Leeds.

Served on the committees of Leeds West Indian Centre and Mandela Centre as well as playing for and managing local football teams in Chapeltown and Chapel Allerton in Leeds.

Caroline Bamford - Trustee
Caroline has over thirty years management experience within both the statutory and third sector. Her experience includes project management of equality-focused demand-led recruitment initiatives working with a variety of employers and championing the development of strategies to improve the diversity of the workforce within NHS. Caroline is passionate about addressing inequalities related to employment, health and wellbeing.
Stuart Bailey - Trustee
Stuart initially qualified as a Mechanical and Production Engineer, however since 1988 he has been working in the Financial Services sector as a Business Quality and Risk Manager as well as being the owner and proprietor of a small Financial Advisory business.

His experience involves recruitment, training and developing businesses as well as understanding KPI’s and avoiding potential risks to businesses.
He is also the treasurer of a long standing local community organisation in Leeds.

Razaq Raj - Trustee
Dr. Razaq Raj is an internationally renowned academic with over sixteen years higher education experience of teaching and research in UK, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany and China and South Korea. He is Principal Lecturer in Strategic and Financial Management and is a Visiting Professor at the Kedge Business School, France and University of Vitez, Bosnia.
Sula Cameron-Bhandal - Trustee
With over a decade of experience teaching in secondary education, Sula is committed to improving the lives of young people through education. In this time, Sula has taught a range of subjects in both Mainstream and Special Educational settings, whist also taking on middle management positions.

Sula believes that education is key to improving life chances and as part of this is committed to a holistic approach whereby schools work closely and proactively with all those involved with young people. In her spare time Sula enjoys reading, running and cooking.

Wasim Tahir - Trustee
Waseem Tahir is a Professionally Qualified Accountant and a Certified Director. He has track record in consistently and effectively delivering services in accounting, financial management, budget and planning, cash flow management, financial reporting, corporate, tax, auditing and human resource. He has worked at senior managerial positions with public sector, charitable originations, and international donors. Currently he is associated with a renowned company of Chartered Certified Accountants in Leeds.
Noushin Aslam - Trustee
Noushin is founder and CEO at “Moonlight Trust” and has successfully designed and delivered Intentional Humanitarian Relief Projects in Turkey, Greece, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Palestine and Israel. From managing boat rescue missions at the Greek Island of Lesvos for Syrian refugees to working in official and unofficial refugee camps she is someone who likes to get her hands dirty! This contribution was recognised at the highest level from local communities to members of Parliament House and mainstream media (BBC)! Noushin is also Trustee at White Ribbon UK which is world’s largest campaign against domestic abuse towards Women and has played an integral part in policy making and providing strategic leadership to redevelop the strategy. In her current role at Leeds Beckett University working as part of Graduate Future team she has supported students and graduates to achieve their career prospects and professional development providing guidance and advice on daily basis. She loves technology and is fascinated by Social Media and has successfully progressed with her Social Media Business from delivering workshops for students/graduates to helping business ranging from range of industries including food and retail!

Contact Us

29 Harrogate Road Chapel Allerton Leeds LS7 3PD

0113 262 4600

info@pathyorkshire.co.uk