Executive Structure of the  Trust

The Trust is a membership-based organisation that is open to all people living or working within the North East Hackney area. The Trust is regulated by a Chair and a Board of members from the local North Hackney community, and is managed day-to-day by a team of staff (staff details can be found on Contacts page).

Simon Donovan, MHDT Director / Company Secretary / Woodberry Down Community Development Manager

Simon has been working in Community Development across London since 1984 and brings a wealth of experience for Woodberry Down residents. He has worked as an outreach worker for a drug drop-in centre based on the Old Kent Rd and later as a Youth Worker for the London Borough of Waltham Forest. During his time at Waltham Forest Simon developed employment and training projects on the Housing Action Trust estates, which were undergoing similar regeneration to Woodberry Down, ensuring local residents got the best chance of securing training and access to the jobs created. Over the past five years he managed resident involvement in Tower Hamlets, 11 community facilities and a wide range of community initiatives for a local housing association.

John Ryan, Chair of the MHDT Board

John is the Chief Executive at Oxford House in Bethnal Green. He has 20 years experience of working in community and housing work as well as being a volunteer community activist. John lives locally to the Woodberry Down area and has been involved on the MHDT board for the last tow years, working as the Chair of the Board. In this role he hopes the 'MHDT will work with local residents and others to make sure we secure the benefits of regeneration for the neighbourhood'.

Board Members

Sheila Coxon Local resident

Melanie Danan Interlink Foundation

Jaquie Knowles Local resident

John Mackinnon Access to Sport

Sarah Marsh Local resident / The Learning Trust

Veronica Mensah Local resident

Peter Naughton Local resident, Chair of WDCO

Cllr Darren Parker London Borough of Hackney

Rabbi Abram Pinter Local resident

Ian Richardson Access to Employment

Maurice Rose Local resident / member of WDCO

Jenny Wilkins Headteacher, Skinners' Company School

Page updated 5 February 2010