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Meet the team
Beth Collins -
Founder and CEO
Beth founded PIE in November 2017, after spending a decade working in teaching. Having spent time as an English teacher, Pupil Premium Co-ordinator and manager of a Social Inclusion Centre, Beth has extensive experience working with vulnerable and disengaged young people.
Leaving formal education has allowed Beth to work with a wider number of young people in a variety of settings and situations; she is passionate about working with young people to make sure they are given the opportunity for a brighter future.
our WIDER TEAM
Anna Nunn -
Operations Co-Ordinator
Anna is a qualified Primary Teacher with a range of experience teaching in Bolton, East Lancashire and Greater Manchester. She is now working in an operational role for PIE, doing admin, planning, preparation and analysis for all PIE projects.
Gemma Piper -
Community
Project Co-Ordinator
Gemma has a background in recruitment and supporting long-term unemployed members of the community. She has always had a strong urge & a passion to support people, to provide them with the best opportunities and to make a difference. She is PIE's Community Lead, working on and delivering a range of programmes and activities to all ages.
Munji Sandher -
School Delivery Co-Ordinator
Munji is a former teacher, massive bookworm and has a huge love for travelling the world. She has spent the majority of her seven year teaching career leading RE and PSHE departments in inner city, diverse secondary schools. Munji delivers our programmes across a large number of schools in Greater Manchester, Yorkshire & Lancashire. She can also be found at many of our HAF and community provision, she's quite the all rounder!
Ciara Hodson -
Project Support Officer
Ciara joined the team for a new pilot programme looking at improving enrichment in local high schools, but these days she can be found supporting & delivering many types of project in both education and community settings. She graduated from MMU with a degree in Sociology with Quantitative Methods.
She also plays rugby, and has recently started to coach the girls rugby team.
She also plays rugby, and has recently started to coach the girls rugby team.
Daniyal Awan - Junior Project Support Officer
Danny studied History and International Relations at Manchester Metropolitan University and graduated last year. After graduating, he worked in sales and then as a teaching assistant in various secondary schools which gave him the skills and desire to work with young people; which is what led him to PIE and its mission. Outside of work he is a big bookworm and very into the gym!
Helen Fletcher - Delivery Support Officer
Helen is a core member of the team delivering our Step Up transition programme, and a regular part of our HAF delivery team. Helen is an experienced primary school teacher who has been working in Greater Manchester for the past 14 years. Helen is passionate about hollistic education, particularly in giving children positive, memorable experiences outside the confines of the classroom.
Our students 2024/25
Megan Shields
Megan is currently a third year English Literature Student at the University of Liverpool. As part of her final year, she has been given the opportunity to undertake a work placement to gain some real-world experience. Megan came to us after first meeting us as a student at High School - she took part in one of our programmes in Blackpool!
Natasha Todd
Natasha is currently in her third year at Manchester Metropolitan University studying a BSc in Criminology and Sociology with Quantitative Methods. She was previously studying a BA in Criminology and Sociology, but she decided to transfer as it allowed her to expand her knowledge in data collection and how this can make a difference in society. She's putting this into practice by working with PIE on a placement this year!
Our board of directors
Heather Kenny
Heather has worked in the communications industry for over 10 years, building and managing the reputation of global brands. Leading award-winning teams, she is committed to the development of the next generation of communicators.
Seamus Mannion
Seamus has been working with young people for over 20 years and is a passionate believer in giving them a voice, because without youth there are no truly new ideas.
Naomi Timperley
Naomi is a published author, mentor, speaker, and panellist. She has been inspiring businesses to strive for growth through innovation and disruption for over 10 years.
Beth Kenney
Beth has nine years' experience in the not-for-profit youth sector, managing significant funding and operational projects across national and northern regions. She is dedicated to fostering inclusion and equity, removing barriers to access for young people.
Nathan Gonzalez
Nathan Gonzalez is a freelance business growth and sustainability consultant with a focus on supporting VCSE organisations in Manchester. With a strong track record of helping small businesses and social enterprises grow, generate income, and build long-term sustainability, Nathan is dedicated to community development and seeing organisations thrive. He has worked across different sectors in a range of professional fields, including as a grants officer, where he assessed funding applications to support organisations in securing grants for their growth. As the Youth Voice Lead in Trafford, Nathan works closely with young people, further enriching his ability to support and empower both youth-driven initiatives and organisations. Nathan is committed to using his expertise to contribute to the organisation’s success and its positive impact on the community.
John Knott
John is a Systems Developer with a background in data visualisations, data analysis and data capture.
Having worked in various parts of the world, John returned to Greater Manchester in the early 2000s to raise his family. In that time he has been a youth football coach and Scout Leader, and is currently a Governor at St Michaels CofE Primary School in Heywood, Trustee of OddArts Charity in Manchester and Board Trustee of Altus Education Partnership in Rochdale.
He is driven to ensure all children have the best opportunities in life and has a keen interest in SEN.
Having worked in various parts of the world, John returned to Greater Manchester in the early 2000s to raise his family. In that time he has been a youth football coach and Scout Leader, and is currently a Governor at St Michaels CofE Primary School in Heywood, Trustee of OddArts Charity in Manchester and Board Trustee of Altus Education Partnership in Rochdale.
He is driven to ensure all children have the best opportunities in life and has a keen interest in SEN.
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