Meet the Team
We have a fantastic team, dedicated to supporting our service users through recovery.
Trustees
Tom Currie
Chair of Trustees
I dedicated more than 40 years to the criminal justice system, retiring as Head of the National Probation Service for West Mercia. I hold a BA (Hons) in Social Sciences from the University of Manchester, postgraduate qualifications in Social Work and Management Studies, an MBA, and a Certificate in Theology from Durham University. I am also a Reader, trained at Queen's Foundation, Birmingham, and serve as a Lay Minister and Canon at Lichfield Cathedral.
I've been a Director and Trustee of TACT since 2018 and have a lifelong commitment to supporting people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, mental ill health, and those rebuilding their lives after prison.
Outside of TACT, I enjoy hill walking and am a 5th Dan black belt in karate. I also serve as a Parish Councillor and chair a number of local charities and community organisations, including Yellow Ribbon and Meeting Point House.
Kate Ballinger
Trustee Member
I've worked alongside TACT since 2013 through my professional roles in community engagement, including as Contract Manager and Chief Officer at Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin, and later as Community Engagement Manager at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.
I joined the TACT Board after being inspired by Rob's work and legacy, and through both my professional experience and personal understanding of the impact addiction can have on individuals, families and communities.
I bring experience in community engagement, partnership working and public speaking, alongside an ILM Level 5 qualification in Coaching and Mentoring. I enjoy helping people and organisations to build strong relationships, work collaboratively and make a positive difference in their communities.
Tina Jones
Trustee Member
I've worked in health and social care for over 40 years, with experience across mental health, learning disability and autism services in both the voluntary and community sector, as well as for a large national organisation. Throughout my career I've held a range of senior operational and strategic management roles, leading services that support people with complex needs.
Alongside my professional experience, I have personal insight into the impact of alcohol dependence through my own family's experiences from childhood. I've also been a carer for a family member with a neurodivergent condition and mental health challenges, giving me a deeper understanding of the realities, stigma and resilience involved in supporting loved ones.
I'm passionate about ensuring people receive compassionate, person-centred support and am proud to bring both my professional expertise and lived experience to the TACT Board.
Leo Gillis
Trustee Member
I first came to TACT in 2014 as someone needing help with alcohol addiction. On 5 March 2014, I had my last alcoholic drink before entering residential detox, and that marked the beginning of my recovery journey.
Since then, I've experienced almost every part of TACT. I started as a service user, became a volunteer, then Volunteer Coordinator, and completed a range of training, from peer mentoring to mental health. Recovery gave me the opportunity to return to full-time work, give back to my community and rebuild my life.
I'm honoured to now serve as a Trustee, where I can use both my lived experience and professional knowledge to help shape the future of TACT. It's a privilege to support an organisation that played such an important part in my own recovery, and I hope that, through my role on the Board, I can continue to help others on their own journeys.
Joan Jones
Trustee Member
I am very proud that I was personally invited to join the Board by Rob Eyers in 2015 because of my experience of supporting a close family member through their addiction and recovery journey, as well as being dedicated to life long learning.
At the time I was working full-time within IT Services for a large government department with extensive experience with management administration, Human Resources, Health and Safety and IT. I enjoy helping where I can, and value that my skills and expertise gained over my lifetime are not going to waste now that I am retired from paid work.
Alan Bowyer
Trustee / Treasurer
I began my career in mechanical engineering, working for 18 years as a qualified engineer and contributing to the design and development of products for a number of national and international companies.
I then moved into financial services, where I spent 30 years running my own business as a qualified Independent Financial Adviser, specialising in investment management and tax planning. Before retiring, I established a chauffeur business providing executive BMW transport services to clients across the UK for a further 10 years.
In 2024, I was invited to join the TACT Board of Trustees in recognition of my business and financial experience. As Treasurer, I'm proud to support the organisation by helping to ensure its finances are well managed, enabling TACT to continue delivering high-quality services for the people and communities it serves.
Paul Naylor
Trustee Member
Like Joan, I was incredibly proud to be personally invited by Rob Eyers to join the TACT Board of Trustees. I first met Rob through a Telford-based business networking group, where we developed a friendship. He recognised the connections I had built within the local business community and believed I could bring valuable experience and insight to the Board.
I run my own graphic design business and previously worked as a journalist, giving me a strong background in communication, creativity and community engagement. I joined the Board at the end of 2019 and attended my first meeting in early 2020.
Sadly, we lost Rob not long afterwards. Continuing my role as a Trustee is my way of honouring his legacy and supporting the organisation and the people it continues to help.
Ruth Strickland
Trustee Member
I've had a long-standing connection to TACT's home, Strickland House. My father, a building surveyor, supported the development of local independent businesses there before his early death. In his memory, the building was renamed Strickland House by his colleagues, who also planted the cherry tree that still stands outside today.
A chance visit to Strickland House and meeting Rob Eyers inspired me to become involved with TACT and its mission. I'm now proud to serve as both Patron and Trustee, alongside my full-time career, bringing over 35 years of business experience, including working closely with the NHS and supporting hospital equipment projects.
I have a particular interest in quality, finance, health and safety, and marketing, and I'm committed to helping TACT continue to grow and provide high-quality support. Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, keeping active through a range of sports, and spending time with my three (now very grown-up!) children. Having seen first-hand the impact that drug and alcohol dependency can have on friends and family, I'm passionate about supporting TACT and the life-changing work it does.
Management Team
Laura Doran
Operations Manager
As Operations Manager at TACT, I oversee the organisation's day-to-day operations, including HR, finance, safeguarding, health and safety, compliance and service development. I'm passionate about creating trauma-informed services, supporting staff to thrive, and making sure the organisation has the strong foundations needed to deliver outstanding support to the people who rely on us.
I hold a BA (Hons) in Humanities with History from the Open University and am an NSPCC Level 4 Designated Safeguarding Officer and trained Freedom Programme Facilitator. I've also supported local survivors of child sexual exploitation through the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation (IITCSE).
Outside work, you'll usually find me cold water dipping, spending time with my family and dog, or escaping to the coast whenever I can. I believe that kindness, authenticity and a good sense of humour are just as important as policies and procedures when it comes to helping people thrive. I
I believe strong organisations create strong services, and that supporting staff is one of the best ways to support the people who rely on us.
VACANCY
Housing Manager
Cat Gregory
Business Services Manager
I work alongside the Operations Manager to keep TACT running smoothly behind the scenes. My role covers HR, finance oversight, procurement, contracts, compliance and supplier management, ensuring the organisation has the systems and processes needed to support high-quality front-line services.
I moved to the UK ten years ago after meeting my now husband through work. Together we've built a life here and are raising our young family.
I value fairness, honesty and accountability, and I'm known for my sense of humour, quick wit and healthy dose of sarcasm!
I enjoy finding practical solutions to complex problems and take pride in making sure TACT's resources are used where they make the biggest difference – supporting our front-line services and the people who rely on them.
Claire Thompson
Listening and 111 Listening Service Co-ordinator
Fi Stone
Outreach Co-ordinator
Emma Lynch-Chambers
Core Services Co-Ordinator
