Board Members

PETER ROCK (CHAIR)

NATALIE PINNOCK HAMILTON MBE

Natalie works as a supply teacher and as Chief Executive/Development Officer for Kirklees LINK (Local Involvement Network). She previously worked as a non-executive director at Connexions as well as roles at the Calderdale and Kirklees Health Authority, Leeds City Council and Bradford College. She studied for a degree in education at the University of Leeds, then later gained an MA is social and community work studies at the University of Bradford and a postgraduate diploma in law at the University of Huddersfield.

Natalie is a founder member of Huddersfield Carnival, Huddersfield Sickle Cell Anaemia Support Group and the Hudawi Community Association. She is also a counsellor at the African Caribbean Counselling and Information Service, a former board member and now ambassador at West Yorkshire Forget-Me-Not Trust and a school governor and mentor. She is also involved with the True Colours Children's Gospel Group and the National Association for Multicultural Education.

COUNCILLOR ERIC FIRTH

Eric was previously the Mayor of Kirklees. He was born in the Dewsbury Constituency the eldest of six children and has lived there all his life; in fact he has never lived more than two and a half miles from where he was born.

He was educated at Springfield Junior and Infant School and later at Batley Carr and Dewsbury Technical School. He left school on a Friday and started work the following Monday, at the age of 15, as an apprentice painter and decorator.

He has been active in the Trade Union and Labour movement all his adult life and still is although he has recently stood down as chair of 9/601 Unite, the branch he chaired for more than twenty years, which was the branch where the Labour Party was formed.

He was asked to stand as a Councillor on numerous occasions and he eventually succumbed and successfully stood for the council in 1994. He lost his seat in 2006 but was returned in the same ward the following year.

Eric has been married to his wife Janet for 41 years; they have two children and two grandchildren whom they both adore. Representing the Dewsbury East Constituency where he has always lived, and working for the people and organisations within it, gives him a great deal of satisfaction. He enjoys helping local people, who seek his help, frequently.

As a Ward Councillor Eric enjoyed contributing to and shaping policies and strategies that will affect Dewsbury residents now, and for generations to come.

As a former Mayor his aim has always been to share his proud sense of Civic Pride with different organisations and residents across all parts of the Borough.

Outside of work Eric loves spending time with his grandchildren and watching Dewsbury Rams and Shaw Cross ARLFC.