David Parks BSc (Hons), PG Dip, ADPED Social Work

david.parks@theskillmill.org

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David grew up in Glasgow, Scotland and has worked in Community

Development and Young People’s Services in Glasgow, Belfast, North Tyneside and Newcastle upon Tyne. David was a Team Manager at Newcastle Youth Offending Team for 12 years, where he managed a range of multi-disciplinary services for young people at risk. David specialised in Court Work, Restorative Justice, and Education, Training and Employment support initiatives. Prior to this David worked as a Prevention Manager at North Tyneside Youth Offending Team for 11 years. 
 

David has developed a network of pan European partners sharing practice and ideas across a range of criminal justice activities and has directed the academic research partnership between Newcastle Youth Offending Team and Northumbria University. He qualified in the Advanced Diploma in Practice Education and Development (Social Work) in 2003 and has a strong commitment to Social Work education and training, teaching on a number of Criminology, Law and Social Policy modules. David is an Associate Partner of the Centre of Offenders and Offending at Northumbria University and a founding Director of The Skill Mill Limited. David is currently Managing Director of The Skill Mill Limited working at The Skill Mill Hub in Gateshead.  

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Linzie Pentleton BSc (Hons)

linzie.pentleton@theskillmill.org

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Linzie started her career as a civil engineer working for two local authorities (Alnwick District Council and Sunderland City Council) where she obtained an ONC and HNC in civil engineering.

She joined Northumbrian Water in 1997, and since then has worked in various departments and roles. Starting in the sewerage network department as a Technician she then went on to become a Project Manager within the Investment Delivery Department, delivering new network infrastructure. From there she became the Water Efficiency Manager, working with the community and schools to reduce water consumption. She then progressed to be a Wastewater Treatment Manager responsible for the treatment works compliance in the Hexham area which lead her then to become a Water Treatment Manager. Ensuring drinking water supplying Northumberland was to the correct quality and quantity. During this time she also studied for a BA (Hons) in Leadership and Management which she completed in 2012 and also became a qualified NVQ assessor. She is now the Sewerage Network Controller for Northumberland and Tyne working closely with local authorities to minimise flooding and the Environment Agency preventing pollution. Linzie is a founding Director of The Skill Mill Limited. 

 

 

Dr.Katri-Liis Lepik

katri-liis@theskillmill.org

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Katri-Liis Lepik is an Associate Professor at Tallinn University and an international expert in social innovation, social entrepreneurship, and public sector transformation. She has over two decades of experience working across academia, policy, and practice to develop inclusive and sustainable solutions to complex social challenges. Katri-Liis has led and participated in numerous EU-funded projects focused on community empowerment, social innovation ecosystems, and participatory governance. She is also an URBACT validated expert supporting cities in innovation and strategic development. As a Board Member of the Skill Mill since 2015 she brings expertise in social impact, empowerment, and cross-sector collaboration. 

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Andy Peaden CQSW, MSc 

andy.peaden@theskillmill.org

 

Andy started his career working as a volunteer with Northumbria Probation Service in 1987. He became an Intermediate Treatment worker with Blyth Valley Juvenile Justice team in 1988 and qualified as a Probation Officer in 1991. Andy worked in a range of different locations for both Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire Probation services, including 3 years as manager of St John’s Voluntary Probation Hostel in Leeds. 

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Andy left Probation to go back to the world of Youth Justice in 2003 becoming the South Yorkshire ISSP consortium manager. He became Sheffield Youth Offending Service manager in 2005 and Assistant Director for Youth Services in Sheffield 2010. In 2011 Andy was seconded into Sheffield Futures (an independent charity delivering Youth services and Connexions) as Chief Executive. He moved to Leeds to take up the position of Head of Leeds Youth Justice Service in 2012 leaving Leeds in 2020. He is now an Independent Youth Justice consultant. Andy was vice chair and then chair of The Association of Youth Offending Team Managers (AYM) and has been a Director of The Skill Mill Limited since 2018.

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Andrew Park

​andrew.park@theskillmill.org
 

Andrew has worked in a range of areas across Government including the economic and domestic affairs secretariat, youth policy, further education and apprenticeships and charity governance. He has extensive experience in designing and setting up new organisations, programmes and projects - with a particular focus upon strategic planning, governance and partnership working. 

 

Prior to moving to Ofcom in 2018 to lead its online strategy and planning team he spent four years with the Centre for Social Impact Bonds and led the design and creation of the Life Chances Fund - an £80m fund centred upon driving closer collaboration between local and central government and front line organisations by focusing upon a shared desire to deliver better outcomes for people and communities across the country. 

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Iciar Ania
info@theskillmill.org

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Iciar Ania has a background in social investment, investment banking and the third sector. Iciar is currently an Executive Director at Bridges Outcomes Partnerships, focusing on the design, implementation and delivery of outcomes partnerships in the children, young people and families’ space.
 

Iciar is also a Trustee at Brighter Together, an intergenerational charity that brings older adults and early years children together through fun, activity-led sessions designed to enhance wellbeing and foster meaningful connections between the two age groups.
 

Prior to joining Bridges Outcomes Partnerships, Iciar worked in investment banking at Arcano Group and Nomura. She also spent two years in Cambodia working with a charity that supports people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Iciar holds a Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University in Boston and from ICADE in Madrid, and an MBA from INSEAD.