Executive Leadership Team

Valerie joined Linkage Community Trust in 2016 as Chief Executive, and in the last 8 years has focussed on shaping the Charities growth agenda to do more things for more people with learning disabilities/autism or both.

Valerie has extensive experience of senior leadership across the housing, training, and charity sector, having previously served as Chief Executive and Finance Director of Acis Group, a charitable Registered Provider with 7,000 homes and student accommodation across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire, and as Company Accountant for County Durham Training and Enterprise Council.

A qualified Chartered Accountant, Valerie has filled senior roles across the voluntary and not for profit sector including as a school governor and Trustee of Samaritans. She is currently a board member of Golden Lane Housing.

Paul joined Linkage in March 2020 following three years as Head of Finance at a local Academy Trust. Since qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 2004, Paul has held a number of senior financial positions across the charity and not-for-profit sectors, including in Further Education, Social Housing, Health and Social Care and at an Academy Trust.

Robbie is an experienced leader in the Health and Social Care industry, having worked for many years within supported living, community support and residential services. His experience spans a wide client base including those with Autism, learning disabilities, mental health and complex/challenging needs. He joined Linkage in the summer of 2021.

Martin began his career as a 16 year old Apprentice, by the age of 21 he owned two businesses which he ran successfully for over a decade. In the mid 1980’s Martin completed his teacher training and began teaching in one of the largest Further Education Colleges in the country. Over the next 15 years Martin worked his way from Lecturer to Senior Manager, eventually becoming the Vice Principal in 2010.

Martin left General Further Education to join Linkage in May 2016, initially as a consultant Principal for Linkage College, but loved the role so much he applied and was successfully appointed to the post. The Principal’s role at Linkage is challenging but immensely rewarding in steering the College and its learners to maximise their potential and develop their employability and independence skills. After nearly 5 years as principal, Martin’s role in the Executive Leadership Team has expanded into Director of Lifelong Learning and Employability.

Andrew has worked with adults with a learning disability all of his working life, beginning with a work placement at a local day centre when he was sixteen.

After supporting people on individualised day services for United Response, Andrew joined Future Prospects in 1999 as the Disabled and Working Network (DAWN) Adviser. Soon after, Andrew became Team Manager and in 2005, along with Andy Bucklee, became joint Manager of the organisation, dealing with all matters financial.

In 2007, Andrew and Andy decided to set up The Blueberry Academy, which has grown from a handful of people, in the early days, to over 70 members of the team. Andrew is the Finance and Resources Director and has enabled organisations to thrive wherever he has been.

Andy started Blueberry in 2007, with Andrew Cambridge, and has led the organisation to creating real pathways to meaningful employment for all the people supported within the service.

Through the partnership of Blueberry Academy and Linkage Community Trust he aims to share the excellent practice and experience across both teams to create high quality opportunities for all the people we support.

Andy has extensive experience of Advice and Guidance from being part of the award-winning Future Prospects Advice and Guidance service in York – being a practitioner from 1998 and then leading the service before starting Blueberry.

Andy is a PGCE qualified teacher with further qualifications in IAG and in Literacy tutoring.