GM4Women2028 appoints three new Trustees to bolster drive towards 2028 equality

GM4Women2028 is pleased to announce the appointment of three outstanding trustees.

Bea Forrester, Katrina Fletcher and Sherree Schaefer bring varied experience, strong qualifications and deep commitment to social justice and equality, strengthening the charity's leadership as it enters the final stretch toward its 2028 gender-equality targets. 

The charity operates across all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, including Oldham and Tameside. It aims to make all boroughs a safer, more equal and fairer place for women and girls.  

By appointing more Trustees, they are in a better position to deliver this mission and it comes at a pivotal moment as GM4Women2028 enters the concluding years of its ten-year mission to build a fairer, safer and more inclusive Greater Manchester. 

The involvement of the three Trustees brings renewed focus, energy, and strategic breadth to its campaign. 

Bea Forrester (pictured below) possesses proven skills in policy change and community outreach – an asset for advancing GM4Women2028’s advocacy work and ensuring its strategies remain grounded in lived realities. 

Katrina Fletcher is recognised for her strengths in social enterprise and partnership working, supporting GM4Women2028’s collaboration ambitions and widening its reach across the region’s diverse communities. 

Sherree Schaefer (pictured below) offers significant expertise in corporate social responsibility and voluntary sector leadership, contributing key insight as GM4Women2028 aims for systemic change in multiple sectors. 

Together, Bea, Katrina and Sherree expand the Board’s capacity – enhancing governance, strengthening community ties and deepening its ability to influence policy, public institutions and local organisations – all while following the principles of the Charities Act and reporting transparently to the Charity Commission. 

In the words of Convenor, Helen Pankhurst CBE: “The arrival of Bea, Katrina and Sherree marks a bold step forward for GM4Women2028. Their combined skillsets and knowledge in social enterprise, community activism, policy and inclusion brings fresh clarity to our mission. Together, we’re better equipped than ever to realise our 2028 equality goals.” 

GM4Women2028’s Chair, Sofia Higgins, echoes Helen’s sentiments, “We’re delighted to welcome Bea, Sherree and Katrina to our Board. Each brings exceptional expertise and passion for driving change for women and girls. Their amalgamated competences in and devotion to the fields of policy, organisational leadership and community empowerment will bolster our mission immeasurably, especially at this defining period.” 

Bea, Katrina and Sherree expressed their enthusiasm about joining the charity at this critical stage: “We’re honoured to support GM4Women2028’s commitment to equality, safety and opportunity for all women and girls in Greater Manchester. We strive to ensure this last phase creates real, measurable change.” 

These recruitments underscore GM4Women2028’s ongoing pledge for strong, diverse and effective leadership. The Board believes that a broad mix of professional backgrounds, academic achievements, lived experience, community insight and strategic capability will serve its mission optimally. 

As part of its induction and onboarding process, the new Trustees will begin working immediately in a shadowing capacity to devise strategy, shape forthcoming campaigns, deepen stakeholder engagement and plan innovative projects to close the gap on inequality by 2028. 

For more information on GM4Women2028’s staff and volunteers, please visit www.gm4women2028.org/our-people.