2. Board member profiles
Kashif Ashraf
Profession: Oldham President
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.
Neil Consterdine
Profession: Director of Communities
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.
Nicky Freaney
Profession: North West Group Employer and Partnership Manager
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.
Simon Jordan
Profession: Principal and Chief Executive
Organisation: Oldham College
Simon became Principal and Chief Executive of Oldham College in September 2023. With a strong background in further education, he is passionate about raising aspirations and placing learners at the heart of the college’s mission.
He believes in the college’s role as an anchor institution in Oldham, working closely with employers and communities to address skills gaps and support economic growth. Before joining Oldham College, Simon held senior roles at Burnley College, Runshaw College, and North Lancs Training Group.
Stuart Lockwood
Profession: Chief Executive
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.
Estelle Mathieson
Profession: District Commander, Oldham
Organisation: Greater Manchester Police
Colin McLaren (Vice-Chair of Chadderton Neighbourhood Board)
Profession: Chair
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.
MP Jim McMahon
Profession: Member of Parliament
Constituency: Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Martin Nugent
Profession: Senior Policy and Partnership Officer, Safer and Stronger Communities
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
Organisation: Oldham Council
Arooj Shah is a trailblazer in local government as the first Muslim woman to lead a council in the North of England. A lifelong Oldham resident, she has been active in local politics for more than a decade and was re-elected as Council Leader in May 2023.
She also serves as Equalities Lead at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and chairs the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People’s Board. Her work focuses on tackling inequality, driving regeneration, and empowering communities.
Councillor Graham Shuttleworth
Profession: West District Community Lead, Councillor for Chadderton South
Organisation: Oldham Council
Catherine Taylor
Profession: Oldham Partnership Manager
Organisation: Department for Work and Pensions
Councillor Elaine Taylor
Profession: Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Councillor for Chadderton Central
Organisation: Oldham Council
Christina Todd
Profession: Director of Communities
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 local people.