Our board

Smart Works is governed by our Board of Trustees, who bring with them a wealth and depth of experience across a diverse range of industries.

We’re grateful for all the hard work and dedication of the members of our board. The work we do would not be possible without their guidance.

Chair

Tracy Fletcher

Tracy enjoyed a 20-year career in Financial Services, working in senior leadership roles, before launching her own banking recruitment business in 2008.

Throughout her Career Tracy has been a huge advocate for women, being both an active signatory of the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter and mentoring a number of new business owners and finance professionals.

She joined Smart Works initially in 2019 as a volunteer coach, and was appointed Chair in 2023, Following the sale of her recruitment business last year she is working on a number of consultancy assignments, giving herself some much-needed work life balance.

Emma Illingworth

Before I tell you my credentials, let me tell you a bit about me. I’m Emma, I’m a mum, a dog mum and Captain of my local hockey team.

I joined as Trustee for Smart Works Leeds in Nov 2023. My role is to consider all things people - ensuring we have a team of people and volunteers, with the skills and motivation to support the work we do across Yorkshire.

I’m also part of OVO’s People Team, where our job is to curate a culture of world changers in a great place to work. I have 20+ years of experience, mainly in the energy sector and in my role, I often act as a playmaker to deliver the big and most challenging organisational change programmes across the business. I’m passionate about people and making a difference and promoting a culture of Belonging. I recently became a Governor at Huddersfield New College.

Emma Illingworth

Emma is a HR professional currently heading up People Transformation at OVO. She has joined us at Smart Works Leeds to support us with HR, Finance and Governance. Emma is very active in promoting a culture of belonging. Her work focusses on leading large transformation and culture change projects.

“I love what Smart Works stands for and the great work is does to support women back into work. I am incredibly proud to have joined the Leeds team.”

Amanda Clarke

Amanda set up her own accountancy practice in 2010, specialising in small and medium type businesses in the Yorkshire area, having spent most of her professional career working in the accounting industry. She has been an active volunteer for a small charity in Leeds which raises funds for young people with disabilities. Amanda has recently been appointed the Treasurer for the Smart Works Leeds Trustee Board.

“Having experienced myself the difficulties of working and being a single parent, I was instantly drawn to everything that Smart Works represents and look forward to supporting this Charity”

Ruth Cherry

Ruth is one of our founding trustees and helped to bring Smart Works to Leeds in 2019. Having spent most of her career in banking and corporate finance, her original degree was in Textiles, and in 2021 she returned to university to study for an MSc in sustainable textiles. She is currently researching the potential for reuse of post-consumer waste as a LITAC funder scholar, working towards a PhD. Ruth looks after our wardrobe here at Smart Works Leeds and can sometimes be found volunteering with the dressers."

“Smart Works provides unemployed women with high quality, interview appropriate clothing that is sustainably sourced, and one-to-one coaching to give them the confidence to succeed, all delivered by our volunteers. It’s a powerful combination and it works.”

Stephanie Smith

Stephanie Smith is Fashion Editor at the Yorkshire Post, having joined the county morning newspaper in 1998. She trained as a journalist in London and has worked for publications across the UK. She has written extensively about the fashion industry, interviewing many key figures and icons along the way. She also works as a brand creative copywriter and consultant.

“The very concept of Smart Works – giving women confidence by providing them with the wardrobe and the interview skills they need – is dear to my heart, and I hope to play my part in spreading its message of hope and empowerment far and wide.”

Helen Oldham

Helen Oldham is a Founding Board Director of NorthInvest, an early stage tech funding connector, and Founder of Fund Her North. She is an active advocate for female founders seeking funding and a signatory of the Women In Investing Code. Prior to this she was the Managing Director of The Yorkshire Post and The Scotsman.

"When you walk into a Smart Works Centre the value of the service comes to life. Providing women with a community of people who believe in her, support her and help her to be at her best in an interview is a powerful experience.”

Juliette Denett

Until recently Juliette was MD of Dale Carnegie’s Northern UK operation and was also the first female and the first non-American President of the International Franchise Association. Prior to her 25 years with Dale Carnegie she held leadership roles with Max Factor/Revlon and with IBM. Juliette has joined us to support with fundraising.

“Our clients at Smart Works are women who want to be in employment, and the service we provide gives them the boost they need to be successful. These happy stories of individual accomplishment are all the motivation we need to keep expanding the Smart Works impact. I’m proud and excited to be part of the team looking to raise awareness and backing for the crucial work in support of women in Yorkshire.”

Ally Dowsing-Reynolds

Ally Dowsing-Reynolds is the Co-Founder of Dowsing & Reynolds, a premium home decor brand. With over two decades in marketing and advertising, Ally's expertise spans brand strategy, understanding audiences, and business leadership. Passionate about positively impacting the way people feel, she champions empowering individuals to make conscious design choices, both in fashion and the home.

"Giving women the confidence to be their best is very close to my heart. I'm so honoured to be a part of the Smart Works team, all working very hard to ensure that women wanting to get into employment are given the coaching and outfit that will help them get the job."

Who we are > Our board

Our board

Smart Works is governed by our Board of Trustees, who bring with them a wealth and depth of experience across a diverse range of industries.

Chair

Emma Illingworth

Support our mission

Who we are > Our board

Our board

Smart Works is governed by our Board of Trustees, who bring with them a wealth and depth of experience across a diverse range of industries.

Chair

Emma Illingworth

Support our mission

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