2. Chadderton Neighbourhood Board member profiles
Zakir Ahmad
Profession: Chief Executive Officer
Business or organisation: Yuvanis Foundation
A lifelong Chadderton resident, Zakir has dedicated over a decade to empowering Oldham's communities. As Chief Executive and co-founder of the King’s Award-winning Yuvanis Foundation, he has led strategic initiatives that significantly improve health, wellbeing, and development for marginalised groups.
A qualified Project Manager (BSc), Zakir excels at building sustainable programmes from the ground up. He is deeply passionate about community-led change and brings to the board expert knowledge in grassroots engagement, strategic governance, and fundraising. His profound local insight and proven leadership are invaluable assets for guiding the organisation's mission.
Zakir believes in the power of strategic investment in our community. This board’s work directly aligns with his life's mission to create opportunities and unlock potential for everyone in Oldham.
Kashif Ashraf
Profession: Oldham President
Business or organisation: Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Born and raised in Oldham, Kashif has over 30 years of experience working across the private and public sectors, with a focus on supporting businesses and education. He is the Oldham President for the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and runs a private consultancy specialising in employment, skills, and growth.
Kashif sits on several boards for Oldham Council, including the Education Board, and is the Independent Chair of the Bank of England Citizens’ Panel for the North West. He actively supports local charities, particularly Maggie’s Oldham and Mahdlo.
Chris Chamberlain
Profession: Chief Executive
Business or organisation: Oldham RLFC Foundation
Chris was appointed CEO of the OldhamRugby League 1876 Foundation in January 2025. He brings a wealth of executive experience to the role, having previously served as CEO for organisations in West Yorkshire and held executive board director positions at national bodies. A resident of the Oldham borough, Chris has extensive experience across the community, sport, and business sectors.
The 1876 Foundation, based at the redeveloped Netpar Training Centre in Chadderton, is dedicated to leveraging the power of sport to enhance the community, individuals, and organisations throughout the borough.
Suzy Chapman
Profession: Employer Relationship and Business Development Manager
Business or organisation: Oldham College
Suzy is born and bred in Oldham. She joined Oldham College in June 2024 as part of the Further Education Business Innovation Team and recently moved into the role of Employer Relationships and Business Development Manager. Before then, she worked at Oldham Council for over 20 years. Suzy brings a strong background in sport, education and employer engagement, with well-established links across the borough.
Suzy is passionate about building strong partnerships with local employers and in the community, coordinating opportunities that support community skills development and business growth. Suzy is a keen netballer and has coached and played for many years locally.
Cara Charlesworth
Profession: Superintendent
Business or organisation: Greater Manchester Police
Neil Consterdine
Profession: Director of Communities
Business or organisation: Oldham Council
Neil grew up in Chadderton and is currently the Director of Communities at Oldham Council. His portfolio includes Community Safety and Cohesion, Housing, Youth Services, Heritage, Libraries and Arts, Community Sport, and district-based services.
A long-standing volunteer in local sport, Neil is passionate about building stronger, safer, and more connected communities across Oldham. He is deeply committed to ensuring Oldham is a place where people feel safe, connected, and proud to call home.
Rebecca Drake
Profession: Co-director
Business or organisation: Fullcircle nw CIC
Rebecca was born and raised in Oldham. With more than 20 years’ experience in youth and community work, Rebecca is passionate about empowering young people and strengthening local communities.
As the co-founder and director of Fullcircle nw CIC, Rebecca leads initiatives that focus on youth empowerment and asset-based approaches, helping local people to recognise and build on the strengths within their own communities.
Alongside her professional work, Rebecca has volunteered in a range of roles, including school governor, church youth group leader, and Brownies unit helper, reflecting a deep commitment to giving back.
Through her role on the Chadderton Neighbourhood Board, Rebecca is dedicated to creating opportunities for young people, promoting a sense of pride, and ensuring that Chadderton remains a place where everyone feels connected and valued.
Nicky Freaney
Profession: North West Group Employer and Partnership Manager
Business or organisation: Department for Work and Pensions
Nicky has worked at the Department for Work and Pensions for over 40 years in a variety of roles across the North West. In her current role as Partnership Manager, she works collaboratively with partners, stakeholders, and colleagues to deliver support for customers.
She is dedicated to building strong partnerships that help people move into work, access benefits, and achieve shared objectives while avoiding duplication of services.
Stuart Lockwood
Profession: Chief Executive
Business or organisation: Oldham Community Leisure
Stuart has more than 30 years’ experience working across councils, the private sector, and leisure trust operators. He has been with Oldham for over 15 years, including 13 years as Chief Executive.
He is a Director of GM Active and a Board member of Northern Roots, Oldham’s ambitious eco-park project. Stuart also serves on several strategic boards in Oldham, including the Health & Wellbeing Board and Oldham Leadership Board.
Aisha Mahmood
Profession: Executive Director
Business or organisation: Clear Watch Security
Aisha has over 14 years' experience working in the public sector, civil service and now the security industry. Aisha has a business based in Chadderton and is a Chair of Governors for a Focus Trust School. She is passionate about education and opportunities for young people and takes a keen interest in helping tackle inequalities in the area.
Colin McLaren (Vice-Chair of Chadderton Neighbourhood Board)
Profession: Chair
Business or organisation: Chadderton Together Community Group
Colin is Vice-President of the Chadderton Historical Society and Vice-President and Trustee of the Chadderton Federation of Community Organisations (Chadderton Together). He has been a councillor since 2006 and a resident of Chadderton North since 1989.
A retired teacher with 25 years’ experience, Colin later worked with young football players at a professional club. He currently chairs the Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee at Oldham Council, is a governor at local schools, and sits on several voluntary boards.
Jim McMahon OBE
Profession: Member of Parliament
Constituency: Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Jim McMahon OBE is the Labour (Co-op) MP for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton. He has been an MP since December 2015.
Martin Nugent
Profession: Senior Policy and Partnership Officer, Safer and Stronger Communities
Business or organisation: Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Martin has 30 years’ experience in local and national government, with a focus on community safety and crime. He provides a vital link between the Combined Authority and local partners, supporting community safety initiatives across the region.
Councillor Arooj Shah
Profession: Leader of Oldham Council and Cabinet Member for Growth
Business or organisation: Oldham Council
Arooj Shah is one of local government's most prominent voices. As the first Muslim woman to lead a council in the North of England, she is a trailblazer who combines a unique perspective with a passion for social justice.
A lifelong resident of Oldham, Arooj has been at the forefront of local politics for more than a decade. She has been Leader of the Council since May 2023, after first serving as Leader from May 2021 to May 2022. She is also the Equalities Lead at Greater Manchester Combined Authority and chairs the Local Government Association's Children and Young People's Board. These positions reflect her dedication to empowering both individuals and communities, and ensuring their voices are heard.
Arooj's mum and dad migrated from Pakistan in 1968 to work in the local textile industry. One of seven siblings, Arooj pursued a degree in Politics and International Relations before returning to Oldham where she was elected a local councillor.
Arooj also holds the Growth cabinet portfolio, where she drives forward ambitious regeneration projects including the once-in-a-generation town centre programme which is seeking to create a brand-new neighbourhood of 2,000 homes in Oldham town centre, as well as shaping the borough's overall strategy. Her portfolio allows her to channel her passion for tackling inequality and poverty into real improvements for Oldham's diverse communities.
Beyond her formal roles, she is committed to nurturing local groups to build pride in their neighbourhoods and help deliver a better Oldham.
Councillor Graham Shuttleworth
Profession: West District Community Lead, Councillor for Chadderton South
Business or organisation: Oldham Council
Graham was born in Manchester and after living in Rochdale, he moved to Chadderton and has lived there for 35 years.
He was employed in the insurance industry for 38 years with the same employer, in which he held a middle management role. He was also seconded to the recognised trade union on two occasions. His first period included having to tour the country when a major re-organisation took place, while his second period had him once again hitting the road, representing the union members through the difficult period of two mergers.
He was involved in semi pro football for several years, working with and supporting not only the senior side, but also youth and women’s teams.
Elected as a councillor in 2011, Graham currently holds the position of West District Lead, which covers Chadderton and Werneth.
Catherine Taylor
Profession: Oldham Partnership Manager
Business or organisation: Department for Work and Pensions
Cath brings 28 years of experience with the Department for Work and Pensions, having undertaken a wide range of roles throughout her career. She is deeply committed to making a positive impact and is passionate about her current position as Partnership Manager at Oldham Jobcentre Plus.
As a resident of the Borough, Cath is dedicated to fostering strong collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders, driving innovation and creativity at the heart of her work.
Councillor Elaine Taylor
Profession: Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Councillor for Chadderton Central
Business or organisation: Oldham Council
Christina Todd
Profession: Director of Communities
Business or organisation: First Choice Homes Oldham
Laura Windsor-Welsh (Chair of Chadderton Neighbourhood Board)
Profession: Oldham Director
Organisation: Action Together (Charity & Local Infrastructure Organisation)
Laura has worked in the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector in Oldham for over 25 years. She has been with Action Together for nearly a decade, where she focuses on tackling inequalities, building community wealth, and shifting power into the hands of communities.