Our board members bring individual expertise and experience across finance, marketing, public sector management and leadership, and business support. Collectively, they provide governance oversight for North East Counselling Services CIC and act as an important sounding board to our management team.
The North East Counselling Services Board
Marj was one of three founder directors of North East Counselling Services CIC and
became CEO in 2012. A social entrepreneur, driven by a determination to make life
better for people, Marj is a tenacious, energetic and passionate leader.
became CEO in 2012. A social entrepreneur, driven by a determination to make life
better for people, Marj is a tenacious, energetic and passionate leader.
Through her family background and personal experience, Marj recognised the
importance of effective counselling services and, in particular, the need for these to
be accessible to all. This led her to qualify as a counsellor in 2004 and then to form
North East Counselling Services in 2006. Earlier, she had enjoyed a successful
career in banking, at branch and regional levels.
Marj has been a powerful driving force, throughout North East Counselling Services’
growth from a start-up to a highly respected organisation, delivering in the region of
20,000 counselling sessions each year. Today, Marj continues to champion the
cause of high-quality counselling for adults and children, made accessible in
workplaces, schools and the community.
Heather joined North East Counselling Services’ board in 2020 as Chair and
continues in that role.
continues in that role.
With experience on the boards of several charities and not-for-profit organisations,
from 2018 onwards, she is a seasoned non-executive director and chair. This involvement has built upon Heather’s career as a manager and leader in economic development, skills and employment organisations and functions. She is passionate about mental health and about building and delivering high quality services. At North East Counselling Services, we appreciate and benefit from her long-term vision, consensus building and ability always to see the bigger picture.
Heather graduated in English and has a postgraduate qualification in Public Sector
Management.
Leon became a Board member in 2012, having been involved with North East
Counselling Services since its formation in 2006. He brings to his role more than 30 years experience in economic development, business support and business coaching.
Counselling Services since its formation in 2006. He brings to his role more than 30 years experience in economic development, business support and business coaching.
Throughout his career, Leon has worked extensively with small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises. He has also run his own consultancy business.
With strengths in creative thinking and marketing, Leon combines technical understanding with an ability to cut through detail, to see and communicate what really matters.
Leon’s degree is in Business Management. He has also achieved SFEDI (Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative) Accreditation.
