Meet the Staff & Volunteers

Chief Executive Stuart McQuade

In 1993 I was one of a dozen or so people involved in setting up of the Alliance leaving shortly after the offices were found to work and live in Birmingham but keeping in regular contact with friends in Northampton I was always impressed by the work of the Alliance and the way it had progressed over the years.

Returning in 2000 I was keen to get involved again and did a little volunteering but applied for the Advocacy post in November of that year and later became Director in 2001.

I really enjoy working at NLGBA and in particular the way my job keeps changing. To describe my job is difficult as it is so varied and is different day to day. In a nutshell I have overall responsibility for operational management and strategic direction for NLGBA and now PIN. Income generation is a key role of mine and we have grown extensively in the last couple of years. This means we have more staff and project to deliver a wider range of services to larger numbers of people.

I do a lot of external facing work with government agencies keeping sexual equality firmly on their agenda. As we have moved in line with central government agenda for social enterprise I now sell and deliver training and consultancy services to a wide range of agencies including Nottingham City Council, Northamptonshire Probation Service and Northamptonshire County Council.

I am very proud to be associated with the Alliance, we have a highly skilled staff and volunteer team alongside a strategic ‘think outside the box’ Executive Committee who will ensure we not only survive but thrive.

Director of Operations Andrew Bewers

I starting working for PIN and shortly subsequently NLGBA after taking voluntary redundancy from Northampton Borough Council after 29 years service in May 2004.

I have been involved with NLGBA since its formation in 1993 as a founding member, and its voluntary treasurer since that date.

I am now employed full time in providing frontline service, which means that it is likely that I will be first point of contact. As such a large proportion of my role is taken up with support calls. These can range from information about the Gay scene in Northampton, to very complex immigration, employment and service provision issues where sexuality has become a factor.

On top of the direct service provision outlined above, there is also the need to maintain the organisation to include the necessary requirements in terms of grant applications, finance, accounts, budgets, payroll, recruitment, general office routines etc, and also present facilities that are able to be hired out. The building is very busy with bookings on a daily basis.

Communications and Special Projects Iain Armstrong

I joined the NLGBA as a temporary sessional worker in 2001 and spent a couple of years working in the officer two or three days a week but I am now working from home. Initially my role involved helping out with general administration and creating information displays in the offices but has now expanded to cover many aspects of our communications such as information leaflets and the website. I’ve also been involved in the fundraising and organisation of special projects such as the ‘Stamp Out Hate Crime’ packs, Northampton Pride 2003, Schools Homophobic Bullying Project and most recently produced ‘Forgotten Fairytales’.

Originally from Scotland, though based in Birmingham for several years now, my background is in music and sound art, a career which I’m still pursuing and involves me creating my own music and teaching children in school workshops.

Women’s Health Development Worker Gillian O’Leary

My name’s Gillian and I am a volunteer worker at NLGBA. I have been involved with the Alliance for about four years, firstly as a volunteer, then a full time paid worker, and now as a volunteer again.

For my ‘Day Job’ I work in local government in the SRB6 scheme, developing and assisting projects within the Voluntary and Community sector.

My role here is many and varied, and includes overall co-ordination of our GayLine groups, recruitment of volunteers, advocacy and support for individuals, and, as the title suggests, a focus on Women’s health issues. This is a fairly new role and whilst we have planned specific initiatives, it would be very useful to get feedback from our female service users and members on the things that matter to you in terms of women’s health. Please contact me via the website, drop me a line at the Alliance, or phone me on 07733300623.

Connexions Personal Adviser

Following the departure of Beck Dorman we are still working with Connexions to fill this post.

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