Mark is a Chartered Accountant with 30+ years’ experience, including more than 20 years at executive level as a Finance Director in a variety of highly regulated sectors spanning financial services, education, health, care and the charity sector.

Through his career, Mark has developed extensive expertise in leadership, financial strategy, governance, risk management, project management and organisational transformation.

Mark joined the Board of Trustees in 2024, and we are thrilled to have his continued engagement and support to help guide us in the coming years.

David Gorton is an experienced charity trustee and treasurer, chartered accountant, and non-executive director. His 33 year career in accountancy included 10 years running a practice focused on individuals and small businesses based in Radcliffe, as well as time in much larger and more corporate practices in Blackburn, Manchester, and the Thames Valley.

After leaving his last firm in 2023, David runs a consultancy business supporting businesses and individuals across Greater Manchester and Lancashire with strategic and financial advice. This includes personal roles serving as an independent trustee of employee trusts and as non-executive director of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.

David is a keen musician, playing viola in orchestras including Bolton Symphony Orchestra and singing in choirs including Blackburn People’s Choir, and an enthusiastic fell walker across Great Britain. He was born in Bury and has lived in Bolton since 1996.

Dr. (h.c) Leigh Vallance has over 40 years’ experience in the Charity Sector from volunteer and carer to project worker, manager, leader and over 28 years as the CEO of a range of small, medium and large organisations operating at a local, regional and national level.

This work has covered issues of homelessness; citizen advocacy; coalfield & rural community development; learning disabilities; autism, mental health; looked after children; rare health conditions; domestic violence; palliative and end of life care.

Leigh is a inspirational leader who is dynamic, committed, enterprising, quick-thinking achiever, commercially minded and values driven, and always driving organisational improvements.

She has a natural, comfortable leadership style, which is inclusive and empowering, enabling people & organisations to succeed within complex organisations and multi-disciplinary teams.

Dr. (h.c.) Leigh Vallance is totally committed to the VCSE sector and protecting its founding principles in a modern world. She represents the VCSE sector on the NHS GM Integrated Care Board, Bolton Health & Wellbeing Board and is an active member of the GM and Bolton VCSE Leadership Networks.

Dan works as a Manager for a national anti-poverty charity. He was motivated to apply to join the CABB board based on his experiences of working with Citizens Advice nationally.

He is passionate about the role advice organisations can play in reducing poverty locally and how that work can be shaped and led by people who are using the service.

Dan is born and lives in Bury and in his spare time enjoys cooking and supporting Manchester United.

Arif has been a trustee of the organisation for many years and has provided long-standing support to the HR, Finance and Service Provision committees, also serving as Joint Chair across these areas during his time in governance.

He has witnessed the organisation evolve and adapt to ensure communities across Bolton, Bury and beyond are effectively supported. Arif strongly believes that if an issue cannot be resolved directly, the organisation should ensure the right support is found—and where it can help, it should do so in a way that genuinely improves people’s personal circumstances and life chances.

Over the years, Arif has contributed to a wide range of initiatives, including hate crime, employment, immigration, finance, HR, education and child poverty, and remains committed to continuing this work.

Professionally, Arif is an Executive Headteacher of two schools, one of which has been graded Good with Outstanding features. His leadership experience in education strongly informs his approach to governance and community impact.

Growing up in a working-class area of Bolton, Arif understands the challenges faced by disadvantaged communities. This lived experience drives his ongoing commitment to the organisation and his passion for making a meaningful difference and improving life chances across the communities it serves.

Coming Soon….

James is a high-quality and performance orientated charity professional with 10 years’ experience in designing and implementing systems and action plans within accredited frameworks that embed excellence and drive improvements in outcomes.

Until recently, James was employed by Citizens Advice Kensington and Chelsea, initially as Volunteer Coordinator, followed by 3 years as Chief Operating Officer/ Deputy CEO. Since July, James is now the Quality and Performance Manager at UK Cyber Security Council, a self-regulatory body that connects, champions and charters the UK’s cyber security profession.

Danielle is a strategic and values led leader with extensive experience driving improvement, collaboration and governance across health, social care and the voluntary sector.

Since 2023, Danielle has been the Chief Coordinating Officer for Healthwatch in Greater Manchester, providing system-level leadership and partnership working with NHS Greater Manchester to ensure lived experience shapes commissioning and reform.

Danielle is doctoral researcher exploring the impact of government policy on health inequalities and patient voice, bringing an evidence-led approach to leadership and system change.

Known for building clarity, stability and momentum in complex, scalable systems; combining operational rigour with compassion and purpose.

Danielle has recently been nominated for the Person with Purpose award for leadership and impact across the North West in the ‘Disruptor for Good’ Category.

Naomi brings a deep understanding of public service delivery, strategic governance, and community engagement.

Currently serving as Deputy Place Lead and Delivery Director for the Bolton locality within Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board.

A pharmacist by background, Naomi has worked in a mix of clinical and leadership roles across commissioning and provider organisations in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside, and Yorkshire.

Her focus has always been on improving health outcomes, tackling inequalities, and building joined-up systems that make a real difference for people and maximising public value – principles that align closely with Citizens Advice’s mission.