Chair

“I am very pleased and excited to be appointed Chair of the Dewsbury Town Board and particularly at the opportunity that this significant investment in Dewsbury will mean for the town, its residents and its businesses. The Board are very much focused on delivery of the Plan.”

Keith’s executive career has spanned retail, accommodation and business support sectors. In 2015 he was the CEO responsible for leading the set up and initial development of the Business Improvement District for Leeds, a driving force for change in the city centre, and is the current Chair of Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust and the Board of ABE Global.

Deputy Chair

Sophie has lived in Dewsbury for the past twelve years. She has two children and joined the board so that they, and other local people have access to a safe, active, and alive town centre.

Sophie’s background is in the voluntary and community sector, with a focus on work with people facing disadvantages. She currently works supporting charity and public sector organisations, and is Vice Chair of RASAC, a local charity working with survivors of sexual violence and abuse.

“Dewsbury has so much potential and the funding that is coming into the town gives a chance to kickstart the positive change that we all want. As a member of the Town Board I want to ensure that we make the best use of these opportunities and make a difference that people can see and feel when they come into Dewsbury to live, work, or visit.”

Committee Member

Anis Dadu is the managing partner of a respected commercial law firm, XYZ Law. Anis specialises in real estate work, representing both publicly traded and privately-owned companies. He has advised on numerous corporate transactions, guiding clients on legal, structural and financial issues through almost two decades of experience. A strong leader, he has successfully built and motivated new teams and helped open up new markets.

Anis is described as “a specialist in development matters, who acts on many of the largest urban regeneration projects across the UK and represents a number of regional and national developers”.

Anis is born and bred in Dewsbury, a founding director of the Dewsbury Arcade and passionate about promoting Dewsbury.

Committee Member

The youngest executive member of the town board, Anum is training to be an Emergency Medical Dispatcher.

“Being born and raised in Dewsbury, I want to contribute to a good, sustainable future for my town. I'd love for it to develop in a way where it still preserves the memories I, my family and the residents of Dewsbury have made.”

Committee Member

Charlie is a senior executive in the Construction industry with over 40 years of experience , focussed on the successful delivery of significant building projects and regeneration schemes , throughout the country. “

“I joined the Board to ensure the ambitious Projects planned for Dewsbury can be delivered as quickly and effectively as possible. I am excited about regeneration and ensuring that delivered targets and outcomes, support their local communities , giving them what they want and need.”

Committee Member

Chief Superintendent Jim Griffiths is the District Commander for Policing in Kirklees. He has been a police officer for 26 years, a large proportion of which has been within Kirklees District in various roles. Jim has a background in crime investigation and has been involved in several projects and operations that have resulted in reductions in crime in the local area.

“I am very pleased to be involved in the Dewsbury Town Board, having worked in the Kirklees area for several years within my policing career. I am committed to making improvements in Dewsbury to ensure that people feel safer as they go about their daily business and by focussing my attention and working with others within the board, I am sure we can improve safety for all who visit, live or work within Dewsbury.”

Committee Member

Born in Dewsbury and educated in Batley, Christine comes from a long line of Dewsbury folk who contributed its textile heritage.

Christine started out her career in the voluntary and community sector, working in homeless supported accommodation projects before moving to London to work as a housing officer for a large housing association. After two decades working in social housing in London, Christine returned to Dewsbury in 2001 to be closer to her family, she has since lived in and around Dewsbury. Christine has one son, who was also educated in Dewsbury.

" I am proud of my heritage and passionate about having the opportunity to help Dewsbury become a thriving town again".

Committee Member

Cllr Cathy Scott, who has lived in Dewsbury for 48 years, is the Leader of Kirklees Council and has served as a Ward Councillor for Dewsbury East since May 2008.

As a dedicated member of the Town Board, she is committed to securing the Towns Fund money to harness Dewsbury's resilience, innovation, creativity, and community spirit. Supporting businesses and allowing the town to flourish is key to the regeneration of Dewsbury.

Her goal is to build a sustainable future that benefits current residents and attracts new residents and visitors

Committee Member

Fara is the Director for Shire Beds, an award-winning furniture manufacturer in Dewsbury. Having trained as a teacher, Fara has been at Shire Beds since 2006.

Beyond her work at Shire Beds, Fara Chairs the West Yorkshire Manufacturing Advisory Board and sits on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Business Board.

She is a member of the NBF Board and Council and chairs the Marketing committee for the National Bed Federation.

Fara is appointed to the Innovative Entrepreneurs Programme Board at the University of Leeds. For her hometown she is a governor of Kirklees College and a Town Board for Dewsbury.

Committee Member

Helen is the Vice Principal of External Relations and Apprenticeships at Kirklees College. Helen brings a wealth of experience from her career spanning over 17 years in education, focusing on building the college’s reputation as a first-choice provider for students and industry alike. She is keen to offer her skills to create opportunities in Dewsbury for young people.

Helen’s motivation to contribute to the work of the Dewsbury Town Board is part of the college’s ‘What Will You Do To Make a Difference?’ campaign, bolstering the opportunities the college can provide to local people and economy by training new talent and giving students the skills to be work-ready.

Committee Member

Martin has been MD of a Dewsbury based, family run, architectural practice for the last 45 years. He keeps himself busy with regular trips to Filey and looking after his five grandchildren.

“I work locally in Dewsbury and have lived in nearby Mirfield since the early eighties. I have a passion for walks along the coast and an interest in the built environment.

“I joined the board to help create a better future for Dewsbury and as an opportunity to give something back to the local community and to also drive change.”

Committee Member

Natalie is passionate about Dewsbury and has been running businesses in the town since 2012 after a 20 year career in banking. She currently runs a vintage clothing/recycling business, is a part time DJ and has a keen interest in the arts/music scene. Natalie is also a board member of The Arcade Dewsbury and is thrilled that this project is now well underway, having worked on this since 2020.

‘I wanted to join the Town board as I feel I can contribute to the plan that will give this community a town it can really be proud of. Dewsbury is a beautiful place with a rich history and diverse population and I’m very excited to see how the investment can be used to celebrate these strengths, whilst making the town safer, more engaging and welcoming for everyone’

Committee Member

Palvinder is the Principal and CEO of Kirklees College. He has a rich background in further education spanning over two decades. Under his guidance, Kirklees College has grown, successfully emerged from financial challenges and secured an Ofsted rating of ‘Good’. Palvinder is also a member of the national Further Education Commissioners Principal Reference Group, reflecting his dedication to advancing the future of further education.

Beyond his role at Kirklees College, Palvinder is a Trustee for The Education and Training Foundation, the sector's workforce development body, and member of Khalsa Education Trust. Additionally, he serves as the FE advisor to the National Care Leaver Covenant.

Palvinder's passion lies in the transformative potential of further education, believing strongly in its capacity to positively impact lives and communities.

Committee Member

Peter Mason is a Director of Mood Developments and has been involved in regeneration projects in leeds and Dewsbury for 10 years. The first project in Dewsbury was the regeneration of the Black Bull pub on Market Street and he has since been involved in the Arcade Community Group and the launch of the new apartment block opposite Dewsbury Station, Station Apartments.

Peter enjoys the challenge of working to put the beautiful heritage architecture in Dewsbury into a modern context in order to create new ways to live and communicate together.

Committee Member

Sam is the Communications & Engagement Officer for Kirklees based sight loss charity Outlookers, an organisation she has been involved with since 2017. Sam herself is registered blind, partnered with her second guide dog Annie and hopes her lived experience of disability will help ensure that the needs of many more get represented on our board.

Sam holds several roles within the voluntary sector, including supporting National charities Rnib and Guide Dogs with accessibility campaigns . and is a low vision volunteer for optometry students at both Huddersfield and Bradford Universities.

Sam has lived in Dewsbury for 15 years and is a single mum to 2 teenagers. she lives, works, volunteers shops and socialises in Dewsbury, and is keen for this to continue on through to other generations.

She also wants to ensure Dewsbury is as accessible as possible to everyone wanting to visit.

Committee Member

Retired dentist Sue is passionate about making Dewsbury and fairer and better place for all. After a long career in the NHS, she now dedicates her time to charity work and running the oldest shop in Dewsbury.

“Dewsbury has so much potential as a town which needs to be realised and respected. I am keen to represent the interests on the Town Board of all the very varied cross section of people who now call Dewsbury home to try to make it a better place for everyone”.