Are you passionate about preserving history, fostering community spirit, and shaping the future of a beloved green space? Wicksteed Park invites you to become a trustee and play a pivotal role in continuing our legacy of joy and togetherness.
As a trustee, you’ll be at the forefront of guiding Wicksteed Park’s mission and vision. Your expertise, enthusiasm, and dedication will help us maintain the park’s heritage, ensure its sustainability, and keep the spirit of accessibility alive.
How to Register
To start your application, please click the Become a Trustee button above.
Fill Out the Form: Provide us with your details, including your name, contact information, and a brief overview of your background and why you’re interested in becoming a trustee.
Tell Us Your Skills: Let us know about your skills, experience, and areas of expertise that you believe would contribute to Wicksteed Park’s growth and success.
Submit Your Application: Click the “Submit” button to send us your application. Our team will review your submission and get in touch with you for further steps.
What We're Looking For
- Passion: A genuine passion for Wicksteed Park’s history, values, and its role in the community.
- Expertise: Skills and experience in areas such as management, finance, conservation, community engagement, marketing, or legal matters.
- Commitment: The ability to commit time and energy to attending trustee meetings and contribute effectively.
- Why Your Role Matters: As a trustee, you’ll be shaping the park’s future, ensuring it remains a place of wonder, relaxation, and fun for generations to come. Your insights will guide decisions, initiatives, and projects that make a tangible difference to the users of the park.
Meet our Trustees
Oliver Wicksteed DL
Oliver Wicksteed has been a Trustee since 1999 and became Chairman in 2006. During the ensuing years Oliver has driven significant strategic change working to protect and enhance the Park’s environment and heritage for the community and future generations.
Now retired from the London based business he founded over 30 years ago, Oliver is a dynamic, determined and compassionate individual who is keen to contribute to the wider community and regularly speaks at events around the county.
In 2019 Oliver was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of the county of Northamptonshire. This award was given in recognition of all the work he has done at Wicksteed Park and for the good of the county over many years.
Dr Paul Stamper
Dr Paul Stamper is an independent heritage consultant, working across England on the adaptation of historic buildings and landscapes to new uses. Born and brought up in the Kettering area and attending Kettering Grammar School (opposite Wikkies) in the years around 1970, he has known the park since childhood. Much of his career was spent with Historic England, in part working on its Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, where Wikkies is designated for its historic significance.
Nick Vaughan
Having spent almost his entire career in the real estate industry, Nick has extensive experience of all sectors of property development, investment and finance. Nick cares deeply about the provision of leisure opportunities for all and is passionate about the environment and heritage at the Park. He feels strongly that the pleasure and benefits of both open space for play and heritage should be available to everyone.
Jane Harris
I have lived in Northamptonshire for all of my life. Growing up in Pytchley and now living in Kettering. Wicksteed Park has always been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I walked here as a child with my parents – I am very proud to now be a trustee.
I work full time in the private healthcare sector. I have worked in a national role for the same company for 15years. This is in a Sales & Marketing role. My role is to support Managers in each of our services (62) in total to engage better with their local communities. I believe I can support the trust and the park with my knowledge and communication skills.
Russell Shanley
Russell Shanley is a senior leader in the rail industry. With the railway he has faced the challenge of protecting our heritage and the public good, recognising the importance of change to maintain them in the modern world. Beyond the office Russell has a passion for activities and schemes that benefit communities; he has served as chair of governors for a local school, coaches a local grassroots football team and dedicates time to helping young people develop and grow through careers guidance, promoting the importance of good mental health and mentorship. Wicksteed Park has been central to his family life since moving to Northamptonshire in 2008 and he is dedicated to seeing it’s mission continue long into the future.
James Balding
James is an experienced health & safety professional with significant consultancy experience in construction, manufacturing, engineering, education and childcare industries and an additional background in operational management and specialising in distribution and logistics. Born and raised in Kettering, he has fond memories of visiting Wicksteed Park with four family generations.
Passionate about the welfare and development of young people in the local community, James is an experienced school governor and committee chair, with over 30 years in scouting including over 10 years, a scout leader and Group Executive Chairperson.
Jodie Young
Jodie Young brings a decade of experience from her tenure at the local charity – Adrenaline Alley, leading HR, learning and development initiatives, while also engaging in content creation on HR matters for business owners, at Gateway HR in Corby. Through her journey, she has cultivated understanding of both the challenges and the gratifying rewards inherent in the charitable sector. Her dedication extends beyond conventional roles, as she has actively engaged in diverse tasks, across various fronts including event planning, marketing, mentoring young talent and leading recruitment.
Rooted in her formative experiences at Wicksteed Park, Jodie holds a profound appreciation for heritage and community. This sentiment fuels her commitment to preserving the park’s legacy for future generations, embodying a deep sense of stewardship and responsibility. Jodie is our youngest trustee and recognises the importance of diverse voices in governance, given that fewer than 3% of charity trustees are under 30, she champions the ‘young trustee movement,’ through her advocacy, Jodie seeks to ensure that the voices of these beneficiaries are not only heard but also actively considered in shaping the charity’s path forward.
Duncan Lewin
Duncan Lewin has spent the majority of his career in the distribution and online retail sector of wall and floor coverings, with extensive experience in product sourcing, logistics and financial management, alongside helping to run the family farm.
Duncan was born and brought up in Kettering and still lives locally. Wicksteed Park was a significant part of both his and his family’s childhoods. Duncan recognises the importance of Wicksteed Park to the local area and the role the park plays in providing both leisure experiences and an open green space for the community and is passionate to ensure that Wicksteed Park remains a vibrant and accessible community asset for generations to come.