Meet our Senior Leadership Team
Our PCP Senior Leadership Team bring a breadth of experience across the public, private and third sector, covering areas of health, wellbeing and education. Together, they lead our organisation, live and communicate our values and inspire our staff teams.
Carol brings a wealth of experience and insight, with over 30 years dedicated to supporting communities to thrive and more than 23 years working within the health and wellbeing sector. As Chief Executive of PCP since 2013, Carol has led the organisation through significant growth and transformation, increasing income from £1.5 million to £4.6 million, expanding strategic partnerships, and securing national recognition - including the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2017.
A proactive and visionary leader, Carol holds an MBA in Leadership and is a qualified Coach and Mentor. She is deeply committed to lifelong learning and professional development, and is an accredited Emotional Intelligence Practitioner.
In recognition of her outstanding leadership and contribution to the region, Carol was named Make Your Mark Business Person of the Year 2025. She chairs several strategic networks and meetings on behalf of statutory partners, and actively contributes to the wider sector as a school governor, trustee of VONNE (Voluntary Organisations Network North East), and enterprise advisor.
.png)
Carol Gaskarth,
Chief Executive
Liz Fisher,
Deputy Chief Executive
Liz Fisher brings extensive experience in strategic leadership, community engagement, and organisational growth. She began her career as a Youth and Community Worker in Newcastle’s East End, where she developed a strong foundation in community development. Liz went on to lead the National Trust Inner City Project, before progressing into senior management roles within the National Trust.
In 2015, Liz joined The Auckland Project as Community and Engagement Director, where she was instrumental in building strong community links and leading multimillion pound capital workstreams that shaped the development of major visitor attractions in Bishop Auckland.
As a senior leader in the voluntary sector, Liz has consistently championed initiatives to address health inequalities and improve community wellbeing. In her current role as Deputy Chief Executive at Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), she is committed to driving organisational growth, expanding services, and strengthening PCP’s impact across the North East.
Sandra is a senior leader at PCP, responsible for governance, quality assurance, and business development. She brings strategic insight and a calm, solutions-focused leadership style that supports teams through change with compassion and professionalism.
With a Level 7 qualification in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice, Sandra combines deep expertise with a commitment to continuous learning. She leads on compliance, funding, and impact reporting, helping PCP achieve quality awards and external recognition.
Sandra is a trusted mentor and collaborator, known for empowering others and fostering a values-led culture. Her work continues to shape PCP’s growth, resilience, and strategic direction.
Sandra Roberts,
Head of Quality and Development
.png)
Vicky Browning,
Head of People and Business Services
Vicky has built a career spanning the private, legal and voluntary sectors, developing strong expertise in organisational growth, stakeholder engagement and business operations. Her experience includes senior leadership roles where she has operated at Board level, influencing strategy and negotiating across complex stakeholder environments.
Since joining PCP in 2021, Vicky has held operational an strategic leadership roles with responsibility for a broad portfolio of business services, including HR, ICT, marketing and compliance (excluding governance). She leads these functions in an integrated way, ensuring they are aligned to organisational priorities and enable effective service delivery.
Vicky works closely with senior colleagues and partners to shape and deliver sustainable organisational growth, providing strategic oversight, strengthening operational infrastructure and embedding effective risk and compliance frameworks. Her approach combines commercial awareness with a collaborative leadership style, enabling the organisation to respond proactively to opportunity, challenge and change.
Philip has worked within the social enterprise sector for more than 16 years, creating opportunities for people facing disadvantage through enterprise, employment and skills development. He played a key role in establishing the Growth Hubs in Stockton and Seaham as successful community enterprises, including the creation of Stockton's community café to complement the garden centre model. Following the acquisition of the hubs by PCP, Philip was appointed Head of Enterprise (Growth Hubs), providing strategic leadership for services that combine commercial sustainability with social impact.
Philip is particularly passionate about empowering adults with learning disabilities and autism to develop their skills, confidence and independence. Through a range of enterprising activities, volunteering opportunities and supported internships, he has helped create inclusive environments that showcase people's abilities, challenge perceptions and promote greater participation in community life. Working alongside educational institutions, employers and community partners, he has supported individuals to gain valuable experience and progress towards their personal and employment goals.
His approach is person-centred and informed by evidence and insight, ensuring services remain responsive to individual aspirations while delivering meaningful social impact. Born and raised in Stockton-on-Tees, Philip remains committed to supporting communities across the North East, creating inclusive opportunities that enable people to realise their potential and contribute to positive change.
Philip Wood
Head of Enterprise (Growth Hubs)
.png)
Jo Davies,
Head of Financial Resourcing
Jo joined PCP in 2018, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a passion for making finance meaningful and accessible. In May 2023, she became part of the Senior Leadership Team, where she continues to play a key role in shaping the organisation’s financial strategy.
With over 25 years in management accounting - most of it spent within NHS finance - Jo combines deep sector knowledge with a practical, hands-on approach. She’s a qualified accountant and proud member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Jo is known for her meticulous attention to detail and her commitment to delivering clear, accurate financial insights. Her work helps ensure PCP can make informed decisions and stay focused on its mission to support healthier, connected communities.
Bobby has worked extensively in the delivery, coordination and management of a wide range of community health and wellbeing programmes since 2006, when he was employed as a Lifestyle Manager by Leisureworks, a leisure trust set up by the local authority to deliver services primarily in Derwentside. His experience spans almost two decades and have primarily focused on physical activity, mental health and workplace health.
Bobby has also worked within the education sector as a classroom teacher and was PE lead during his stellar career. He fully endorses the benefits of exercise, across all age groups, with a particular focus on outdoor activities. Bobby returned to the Health and Wellbeing sector in June 2023 with Pioneering Care Partnership and prides himself on supporting and developing teams to reach their full potential and to provide a first-class service for every user.
His leadership approach is flexible with elements of participative, transformational and transactional styles used across his work. Bobby places great importance on listening to communities, his team members and colleagues, working collaboratively to achieve common goals and outcomes.
Bobby Hewitson,
Head of Programmes and Impact (North)
.png)
Gayle Goldsmith,
Head of Enterprise (Centre)
Gayle has an extensive career working in the field of Health and Social Care. For the last 28 years she has been employed by a North-East charity providing specialist support and education to autistic adults and young people.
During this time, she has worked in a diverse range of roles, from support worker to registered manager. More recently she has been working in the position of Learning and Development Manager, coordinating, delivering, and developing bespoke training for 600 staff.
Gayle has successfully managed several CQC registered services, steering and leading change during times of uncertainty in the sector. With demonstrable experience of establishing, leading, and developing staff, she has enabled teams to provide CQC rated, outstanding person-centred care and support.
Gayle remains incredibly passionate about promoting the rights and improving the lives of vulnerable people. She looks forward to joining the team and continuing to use her knowledge and skills to support vision of PCP, and benefit others within the community.
Lindsey is deeply committed to improving population health, through asset-based community development approaches. She spent 15 years at East Durham Trust, as Deputy to the Chief Executive Officer. Her role involved development and oversight of projects designed to address poverty and social inclusion including: food security, benefit and debt advice, reducing social isolation, community learning and improving mental wellbeing.
A recent participant on a two year Board Trainee Programme with Believe Housing, she has gained valuable insights into the strategic operations of one of County Durham's largest housing providers and further broadened her perspective on the impact of housing on the wider determinants of health and how social housing can play a key role in improving communities.
More recently, Lindsey completed the King’s Fund Leadership for Population Health Programme, where she has had the opportunity to gain further insight and understanding of national approaches to preventative health care, asset based community development approaches, demonstrating impact and whole system thinking.
Lindsey is passionate about empowering local communities to create positive change. She believes in the collective power of people to address health, social and economic challenges.
.png)
Lindsey Wood,
Head of Programmes and Impact (WBFL)
Helen Dent,
Head of Programmes and Impact (South)
Helen is a senior strategic leader with extensive experience designing and leading neighbourhood‑based services that tackle health inequalities and strengthen community wellbeing. Her career spans local government, education, health, and workplace organisational development, with a consistent focus on partnership working, prevention, and early intervention.
Helen's role in PCP is driven by a strong commitment to community voice, Helen’s manages multiple projects that are rooted in place‑based and asset‑based approaches. She has significant experience co‑designing services with residents, frontline staff, and commissioners, ensuring programmes are informed by lived experience, local insight, and robust evidence. Alongside her public sector leadership, Helen brings over eight years’ experience as a director and consultant in organisational development and workforce capability. She has supported executive and senior leadership teams across health, wellbeing, education, social care, housing, and private sector organisations to strengthen governance, embed inclusive cultures, and improve workforce resilience.
Helen is passionate about tackling health inequalities through collaboration, prevention, and system leadership. She is proud to be part of Pioneering Care Partnership’s senior leadership team, contributing to the design and delivery of innovative, community‑led services that create lasting improvements in health, wellbeing, and life chances for local people.