Get to know some of our amazing trustees

Nicky Sutherland

Nicky Sutherland

Chair
Michael Cripps

Michael Cripps

Treasurer
Jackie Rainford

Jackie Rainford

Claire Tunnicliffe

Claire Tunnicliffe

Terence Carvalho

Terence Carvalho

Viv Palmer

Viv Palmer

Nicky Sutherland

Nicky Sutherland

Chair

Nicky works as the People and Culture Director for an automotive repair group, with branches up and down the country. She previously worked in financial services and has a strong background in HR, learning and development, and organisational change and transformation.

Nicky has lived in Southampton her whole life, so is familiar with the coastal communities on the south coast. As a voracious reader, literacy is really important to her on a personal level; and as an HR professional, she sees that literacy and communication are at the heart of any effective organisation.

Michael Cripps

Michael Cripps

Treasurer

Michael is an CGMA accountant with over 25 years experience in retail, construction and property service support industries. Michael recently completed an MBA at the University of Portsmouth.

He was born and raised in Portsmouth, returning to the city after a spell working in London. He is currently the Finance Director for a Building Services company based in Southampton, as well as Treasurer for Havant Cricket Club.

Michael served as a Governor at Havant and South Downs College, supporting two mergers, serving as Chair of The Finance Committee.

Outside of work Michael enjoys supporting his son’s football and cricket teams, whilst regularly running and cycling to keep fit.

Jackie Rainford

Jackie Rainford

Jackie Rainford has lived in Portsmouth for 26 years. Jackie worked as a manager and training manager for John Lewis before moving into consultancy training which has included running her own business for twenty years. She has her own Learning and Development company and carries out Leadership training and coaching in companies, as well as running personal development sessions with private clients.

She is also a Trustee for the YMCA Fairthorne Group, which covers the whole of Hampshire, and enjoys being involved in events and fundraising. In her spare time, Jackie collects driftwood and shells from the beach and makes items for gifts. She has also recently written a book, which she is hoping to publish.

Claire Tunnicliffe

Claire Tunnicliffe

Claire is an Assistant Principal at a local, all-through school, teaching and leading in both the primary and secondary phases of the school. She has been teaching since 2007 and has taught at three schools in this time. This includes schools with high levels of deprivation.

Over the years Claire has fulfilled a number of roles including English lead, Lead Practitioner, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Pupil Premium Champion, Deputy Headteacher and currently leads on Teaching and Learning from age 4-16.

Claire is passionate about supporting disadvantaged children and has a keen interest in developing children’s skills in reading and writing and enjoys reading and sharing children’s fiction.

Terence Carvalho

Terence Carvalho

Portsmouth born and bred Award-Winning Manager, Terence Carvalho is Chief Operating Officer of Digital Marketing Agency – Delivered Social. Prior to this he spent 15 years in hospitality management. Having joined Becketts Southsea in 2019, having previously served as House Manager & Corporate Manager for The King’s Theatre in Southsea for 5 years. In addition to his role at Becketts, Carvalho, currently serves as a Portsmouth Ambassador for Shaping Portsmouth and Member of The Leaders Council for Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

His appointment as House Manager at The Kings Theatre in Southsea in 2014 made him the youngest Theatre House Manager in the UK and was the base of the 5 of the most successful years in The Kings Theatre 110+ year history.

Viv Palmer

Viv Palmer

Viv is a Marketing Manager with over 20 years experience in a range of industries, and has worked for a number of household names. Viv recently returned to Waterlooville after moving away from the area about 17 years ago – as is often the case, she missed living near the sea!

Viv is an avid reader, and as a youngster was often found quietly sat in the corner reading, long after her older siblings had been sent to bed. As well as the educational benefits of having learned to read at a young age, Viv loves the escapism offered by a good book and sees it as a form of self care.