Board of Trustees

Our governance combines diverse cultural backgrounds and wide expertise. The board is stewarded by professionals from the compliance, financial, legal, creative, and social value fields.

Dave Blinston (Chair)

GradIOSH MIET

Close-up of a man's face, showing his forehead, eyebrows, and eyes, with a partial view of his dark, textured suit and shirt against a plain light background.

I am an Electrical Engineer, Health, Safety & Environmental Professional, Management Systems Professional, Risk Manager, seasoned Senior Manager / Director and multiple business owner / operator. I have worked with RiseUp since its inception in 2015. For 9 years I provided support as a Non-Executive Director. In 2024, I assisted RiseUp in its conversion from a Community Interest Company (CIC) to a Charity (CIO). I now have the honour to serve as the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

I am responsible for the facilitation of all Executive-level activity, including acting as the primary conduit between the Board of Trustees and the CEO’s. In addition, I oversee all aspects of Compliance in a more “hands-on” capacity.

Coming from a disadvantaged background myself, I passionately believe that all members of society deserve the opportunity to be the best possible version of themselves. To be able to inspire people and unlock potential is key, and I am very proud to be of service in some way towards RiseUp maximising its potential to provide this to our community.

Gary Harris (Treasurer)

BA (Hons) FCCA

Close-up black-and-white photo of a middle-aged man with short gray hair, a beard, wearing a dark sweater, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression.

I am a Financial Accounting Manager in the financial services industry, with a particular focus on finance, operations and ESG. I have a broad background, including Financial Services Audit at KPMG. Prior to that I developed diverse audit experience across pensions, charities, corporates, and owner-managed businesses, as well as delivering grant audits for international NGOs. I started working with RiseUp in 2015, providing financial oversight support as a Non-Executive board member. When RiseUp converted to a Charity (CIO) in 2024, I took on the additional responsibility as Treasurer, and Trustee.

My role is to support the Board of Trustees through financial oversight, governance, risk management, and strategic decision-making. I also guide the Executive team, ensuring best practice in finance and financial control. I am proud to support RiseUp with the kind of expertise that is financially unattainable for similar-sized organisations.

Applying my professional skills to RiseUp is a challenging but rewarding experience. It gives me the opportunity to support a socially-driven charity that I believe makes a profound difference to peoples lives, in a space where I have a long-held interest.

Alexandra Pimor

LLB (Hons) PGCHE ACSM

A close-up black and white photo of a woman wearing a wool cap, with her hand resting on her chin, smiling slightly.

I am an Earth lawyer, Voice of Nature representative, Director of Nature Governance Agency at Earth Law Center, and legal scholar. I have assisted RiseUp through my academic network since its inception, fully supporting its vision, purpose, and missions. From my initial consultancy and supportive involvement, I became a Non-Executive Director of (then) RiseUp CIC in 2021; and was invited to continue on as a Trustee when RiseUp converted to a Charity (CIO) in 2024.

My role on the Board of Trustees is to bring my insight, guidance, and advice as a specialist in conscious governance and leadership, organisational and systemic transformation; with 20 years’ experience in pedagogical engineering, research, and policy analysis.

I believe in being the change we want to see in the world; and that is what RiseUp as an organisation represents. Based on experience and leading by example, RiseUp encourages and empowers participants to walk the talk; and I’m all in for that.

Bryn Davies

BA (Hons) MA PGCE FRSA

A black and white close-up photograph of a man with short dark hair, a beard, and mustache, wearing a suit jacket over a white shirt. The man is resting his chin on his hand, looking slightly off to the side with a thoughtful expression.

I’m a senior design professional and award-winning photographer. I have worked with RiseUp pretty much since the beginning. Initially I was commissioned to develop the brand identity and photography. Since then, I have compiled course materials and reports. Over time we have strengthened our bond as we discovered a common ground, and potential research area between design thinking, education, and delivery of the RiseUp theory of change.

I was honoured to be offered the role of Trustee and excited to support RiseUp in its new direction as a Charity (CIO). My primary responsibility is to facilitate brainstorming sessions with the Executive team. I also take a creative lead in levelling-up its public-facing brand materials, together with editing and publishing the annual report.

For me, to RiseUp is to become the best version of yourself — regardless of all the world throws at you. Nothing is fixed, embrace the impermanence, and unlock your purpose.

Erik Bichard

BSc (hons) MSc MCD FRSA

Close-up black-and-white portrait of a smiling man with short gray hair, glasses, dressed in a suit and white shirt.

I am a sustainable development practitioner who specialises in the assessment and creation of social value for built environment projects, and other sectors including healthcare and the arts. I have worked in all the sectors including local government, non-profit, private consultancy, as a university professor and as co-founder of the social value consultancy RealWorth. My original contact with RiseUp was as team leader to prepare a Theory of Change Framework for the organisation. This enabled RiseUp to use a robust method to report on the positive social impact they were having on people in prison.

Later I was invited to become a Trustee, a position I accepted after learning at first-hand how RiseUp profoundly changes people’s lives for the better. My specific role as a Trustee is to ensure that social value continues to be measured and reported to a range of stakeholders. This includes the design and implementation of surveys and reports. I also test decisions, plans and proposals so that RiseUp offers optimum solutions for its requests and opportunities.

I am happy to give my time to RiseUp because of its ability to inspire and motivate people who need help to rediscover their purpose. For me there are few more noble pursuits.