Meet the Team

Board of Directors

John Mcgregor

Chair

John has over 25 years’ experience delivering challenging projects, programmes and portfolios in Government, Finance, Media and Aerospace.

He is internationally experienced, versatile and commercially aware. His experience will be invaluable as we move towards the next phase of the project.

Phil Morris-Jones MBE

Vice Chair

Starting with one car in 1965, Phil built up and expanded the Company Philjo Motors Ltd to include coaches and self-drive vehicles which he sold in 1992 with a purpose built building, 40 staff and 80 vehicles.

Phil has been the founder, member, chairman or president of numerous local charitable and community organisations and has been mayor of Wellington on four occasions. In 2008 he was awarded the MBE for community services.

Ray Hughes

Finance

Ray retired in 2013 from HM Revenue & Customs after 37 years’ service. His last three appointments were as District Inspector in Oswestry, in Special Compliance Office undertaking high risk investigation work and finally in the Large Business Section in Birmingham.

As a Customer Relationship Manager being the prime point of contact and leading a team of specialists across the whole raft of taxes for initially major businesses in the Chemicals Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Sector and latterly in the Utilities Sector.

Anne Beresford

TV/Film

Anne grew up in Wellington, where she has fond memories of seeing Fantasia at The Clifton and Dr Doolittle at The Grand Cinema. She is an independent producer working in film and television. Anne is a graduate of Bristol University and a member of the prestigious Ateliers du Cinéma Europeén. She was for many years a director of arts space The Wapping Project and now chairs the Steering Group for Camden Music Hub.

Her credits as producer include Prix Italia winner SWAN LAKE BATH BALLET, the award-winning deaf hip hop music drama HERE/NOT HERE and the acclaimed opera film PETER GRIMES ON ALDEBURGH BEACH. She recently completed the feature film CHUCK CHUCK BABY for BBC Film/BFI/Ffilm Cymru Wales.

Andy Smith

HR/Comms/Marketing

Starting his marketing business over 20 years ago, Andy has been delivering mar- keting solutions to businesses nationally and internationally from his Telford base. In 2013, he started a new venture, which attracted investment and has quickly become the leading business in its sector with more than 40 locations in the UK & Northern Ireland. Andy is married with two grown-up children, a motorcycle and a love for local life.

Liam McClelland

IT/Marketing/Comms

Liam grew up in Telford and has 10 years’ experience in IT and holds a BSc with 1st Class Honours in Digital and Technology Solutions specialising in Software Engineering.

He joined the Orbit as a volunteer back in 2019 and since then has devoted a lot of his time to the Orbit with marketing as well supporting the operation of the cafe and cinema.

He has taken on a great deal of the responsibility for the Orbit’s digital marketing and IT, working closely with the management team to deliver impactful initiatives.

Liam works full-time as a Test Lead at Capgemini, whilst working towards a MSc in Senior Leadership with Henley Business School.

Bill Graham

Governance/Legal/Phase II

Bill gained 15 years professional experience in senior roles in theatre, working for both the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Opera House as well as in London’s West End. He is a former Technical Director of the ICC, NIA and Symphony Hall in Birmingham where he was closely involved in the final design, installations and commissioning of all three venues.

He was latterly part of the NEC Group’s specialist international consultancy division, advising on major public venue projects

Nick Brooke

Outreach

Nick's background and training are in community engagement and development. Originally from Missouri, USA, he and his wife moved to Colchester, England in 2010. There they worked with churches and various charities serving the homeless, refugees, and young ex-offenders. In 2017 they moved to Telford when Nick accepted the position of Parish Mission Enabler with All Saints church in Wellington.

He's passionate about coming alongside and working with individuals and organisations who are seeking to do good works and elevate those on the margins.He and his wife have three young children and a dog named Betty. He enjoys riding motorcycles and playing guitar.

Heather Reid

Member

January 2023 - present

Having travelled across the Caribbean in her role as regional Biostatistician for several years, Heather then became a ‘full-time’ Mum, involving herself in multiple community projects.

She sits on the board of TAARC (Telford African & Afro-Caribbean Resource Centre) raising awareness, promoting diversity and inclusion, liaising with West Mercia Police and T&W Multicultural Development Team, and designing and delivering workshops in local schools.

She served as Wellington’s first Resident Poet in 2021/22 and cofounded Wellington Community Art Gallery, supporting growing numbers of local artists. Heather is married with four children.

Caroline Freeman

Member

April 2023 - present
Caroline has recently retired after 30 years as a GP partner at Shawbirch Medical Centre. She now works part time as a GP retainer, and is involved in developing a local Wellbeing centre. She is keen to help develop similar community resources for the next phase of "The Orbit".

She lives in Wellington with her 18 year old son, and takes an active part in the local community. She has been a director of Halfway house on the Wrekin, and on the committee for Friends of Bowring Park.

Jacqui Lewis

Safeguarding

Jacqui has worked as a research and development specialist in the field of learning disabilities and neurodiversity for 26 years and for the last 19 years of which she had her own company, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, developing resources and projects across the UK and Europe, to support people with learning disabilities and neurodiversity into employment and to support employers into making their workplace more inclusive.

She now works as a counsellor and consultant pastoral supervisor for the Church of England, including giving counselling support through safeguarding investigations.