Who we are

From very small beginnings, the PB Unit now has 7 team members, mostly  based in Manchester.  We are:

Mark Waters is the Director of the PB Unit and has been with Church Action on Poverty for 4 years.  He was brought in to develop the PB project from the start. He has undertaken research in Brazil and Canada to look at developing PB in the UK. He travels extensively across the UK supporting new PB work.  Mark also works on other Church Action on Poverty projects, including Changemakers. 

Phil Teece joined the PB Unit in April 2008 as the Programme Manager.  Phil previously worked as a civil servant for over 20 years in a number of departments including Department for Work & Pensions and the Inland Revenue.  His specialism is project management.  Prior to joining the Unit, Phil volunteered with a charity in Peru for a number of months.

Ruth Jackson joined the PB Unit in February 2008 as our Research and Information Officer. Ruth previously worked for a large local authority undertaking research into innovation and best practice, and managing projects developing innovative solutions. She supported the council in developing strategies around neighbourhood renewal and was her department's communications lead.

Alan Budge is the PB Unit's Co-ordinator in the north of England. Alan has been closely involved with many of the innovative PB programmes in Keighley and Bradford, so brings a wealth of practical experience both of delivering PB and from being the neighbourhood partnership manager for Keighley.

Jez Hall works part-time , mainly on developing PB with Children & Young People. He has maintained links with European bodies working on PB and has written and presented widely across the UK, including on training days and at conferences. The rest of his time he works at Lancaster University on social enterprise issues.

Lorraine Shaw and Jenny Lazarus provide administrative and other support to the PB Unit and other projects of Church Action on Poverty.

Ana Miranda is a part-time volunteer from Manchester University.  She is developing an evaluation framework and international research with Ruth.  Ana is from Brazil and has previously been involved in PB in Brazil.