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Beacon Team

Meet the team

Here at Beacon, we consider our staff, volunteers and members to be part of one big family. We are fortunate to be supported by our Trustees who have a huge range of experience, helping to drive our strategy and mission for the charity forward.

Meet The Team

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Lisa Cowley

Chief Executive Officer

lcowley@beaconvision.org

Lisa leads Beacon’s services, driving innovation and forging partnerships to enhance the charity’s impact on those living with sight loss. With a focus on strategic development, Lisa ensures Beacon makes a visible difference to people’s lives.

Passionate about making a positive impact, Lisa has spent her entire career in the charity sector. She is also a Non-Executive Director at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, furthering her commitment to community health and wellbeing.

“Working at Beacon is a privilege, surrounded by a team dedicated to improving lives and changing perceptions. Together, we are building a future where sight loss doesn’t limit opportunities.”

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Jan Burns MBE

Health & Wellbeing Director

Jburns@beaconvision.org

Jan, a Qualified Social Worker, brings over 44 years of experience in health and social care. She has worked at a variety of levels both locally, regionally and nationally. starting as a meals-on-wheels driver, she advanced to managing and inspecting care services and led Skills for Care in developing occupational standards across the sector. Jan set up her own not for profit company a consultancy supporting and empowering a variety of services to  deliver high quality services that meet regulatory requirements.  Jan serves as CEO of the National Dignity Council and was awarded an MBE in 2016 for services to Dignity.

Joining Beacon as a trustee in 2015, she became Health and Wellbeing Director in 2019, overseeing the Living, Lifestyle, Engagement, Employment, and Business Support Team.

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Becky Green

Assistant Health & Wellbeing Director and Registered Care Manager

bgreen@beaconvision.org

Becky Green has dedicated her entire career to the charity sector, with a focus on delivering care, support, and wellbeing services to individuals with sight loss. Her experience spans from hands-on care to leading multi-year projects, ensuring Beacon consistently achieves positive outcomes and empowers people to live well with sight loss.

Becky is also a Steering Group member for Healthwatch Dudley, where she is committed to addressing health inequalities and improving access to care for vulnerable populations.

Her passion for making a difference drives her work at Beacon and beyond.

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Helen Brown

Head of External Income and Impact

hbrown@beaconvision.org

Helen began her career in journalism working as a Chief Reporter and News Editor for Britain’s biggest regional newspaper. She has since brought her storytelling skills to the charity sector, using her expertise to share Beacon’s story with stakeholders.

As Head of External Income and Impact, Helen oversees grants, legacies, trusts, and contracts, while also helping Beacon measure its impact and monitor the difference it makes. She leads marketing, communications, fundraising, and manages relationships with corporate partners, ensuring Beacon continues to grow and support those living with sight loss.

Helen uses her lived experience of disability to help ensure Beacon can serve as an advocate for those in need of support as well as bringing authentic insights to our strategic approach.

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Debbie Fox

Head of People

With over 20 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector and HR, Debbie brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Holding a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management and being a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, she is dedicated to enhancing the experience of Beacon’s employees and volunteers.

As one of the largest local employers, Beacon relies on Debbie to support its substantial team, including nearly 90 staff members and 200 volunteers. She ensures that all team members receive comprehensive HR services, creating a positive and well-supported work environment.

Debbie also oversees Beacon’s extensive training programmes, managing hundreds of online and in-person courses each year. Additionally, she leads Beacon’s recruitment efforts and serves as the company secretary, ensuring smooth operations and regulatory compliance. Her passion for the sector and commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture significantly contribute to Beacon’s success and its mission.

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Alexandria Smith-Edwards

Head of Finance

With over 20 years of experience in the finance sector, Alexandria brings a wealth of expertise to her role as Head of Finance at Beacon Centre. Her professional journey began in the manufacturing and sales industries, where she honed her skills in financial management and strategy.

At Beacon, Alexandria plays a pivotal role in ensuring the charity’s financial health and integrity. She expertly manages all aspects of our finances, from processing invoices to overseeing departmental and organisational budgets. Her meticulous approach ensures that every financial transaction is handled with precision and that resources are allocated effectively to support our mission.

Alexandria’s extensive background in diverse financial environments allows her to bring a strategic perspective to Beacon’s operations. Her efforts are crucial in maintaining financial efficiency and aligning our financial practices with our overarching goals. By managing our finances with such expertise, Alexandria helps ensure that Beacon continues to have a meaningful impact on the community, supporting our work in providing essential services and driving our mission forward.

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Victoria Wilcox

Head of Systems and Infrastructure

With a background in project management, administration, and executive support, Victoria brings a wealth of experience from the education, NHS, and third sectors. Her leadership drives operational excellence and ensures the charity’s resources are maximised to support individuals living with and impacted by sight loss.

Victoria oversees systems management, IT, infrastructure, and project management. She is responsible for a broad range of functions, including the management of organisational reception, administration, physical assets, IT and telephony systems, the retail function, and leading significant charity-wide projects. Additionally, as the charity’s Data Protection Officer, Victoria ensures compliance with all relevant regulations. Her focus on effective project management and process improvement helps streamline operations across the organisation, maximising the impact of Beacon’s services.

Trustees

Our trustees are instrumental in steering and guiding Beacon and its team towards fulfilling our charitable goals.

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Kathy Roper

Chair of Trustees

Kathy, who has a severe visual impairment, joined Beacon as a volunteer in January 2019 and became a Trustee in August of the same year. With a background as a Social Care Commissioner at Wolverhampton City Council, Kathy brings a wealth of skills and experience to support Beacon’s mission. Passionate about showcasing what can be achieved despite sight loss, Kathy enjoys playing musical instruments and crocheting in her spare time.

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Philip Turner

Trustee

Philip, a qualified Chartered Accountant, has extensive experience in the financial sector. Before joining Beacon as a Trustee in February 2020, he served as a Trustee for a youth club and a finance governor for a local primary school. Philip has worked extensively in the charitable sector which drives his commitment to giving back to the community, and he values the opportunity to contribute to Beacon’s impactful work.

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Ian Bowers

Trustee

Formerly a dispensing optician and contact lens specialist, Ian brings a rich background in visual impairment to his role at Beacon. His extensive work with global charities related to sight loss enhances his contributions to the Board. Ian finds working with Beacon to be a valuable learning experience and is impressed by the team’s dedication, particularly through challenging times like the Coronavirus pandemic.

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Jeanette Suwe

Trustee

Jeanette retired from adult social care management and joined Beacon to fulfil her commitment to voluntary work. With both personal and professional insights into the effects of sight loss, Jeanette is eager to contribute to Beacon’s initiatives. She has long been impressed by Beacon’s broad range of services and enjoys supporting the charity’s mission.

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Karen Scott

Trustee

A retired nurse and former Occupational Health Advisor, Karen brings over 40 years of healthcare experience to Beacon. Following her own challenges with chronic eye disease, Karen has embraced hobbies like audiobooks and gardening. Eager to give back, she is enthusiastic about using her extensive skills to support Beacon’s work and contribute to its mission.

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Richard Ennis

Trustee

Richard, a Partner at Rees Page Solicitors specialising in litigation and employment law, has been supporting Beacon since 2004. His long-term commitment includes supporting campaigns and fundraising efforts. Richard values his role in overseeing Beacon’s work and says he is honoured to contribute to a charity with such dedicated staff and volunteers.

Beth Wynn-Williams

Trustee

Beth’s career spans education, regeneration, and skills development, with a recent focus on careers and enterprise in schools. Diagnosed with a genetic eye condition, Beth brings a personal understanding of sight loss to her role at Beacon, where she has been a Trustee since 2021. Beth is driven by her experiences and the importance of Beacon’s support, feeling privileged to contribute to its mission and impact in the community.

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Sharon Phillips

Trustee

With 20 years of experience in education and training, specialising in digital and accessible learning, Sharon now works in healthcare learning and development. She has also served as a parish councillor. Sharon has long been aware of Beacon’s impact and is excited to deepen her involvement with the charity, contributing to its important work and supporting its mission.

Clive Small

Clive, a Chartered Accountant since 1978, has extensive experience in accounting, central and local government, and industry, including serving as Head of Finance for Wolverhampton City Council. Joining Beacon as a Trustee in 2023, Clive has admired the charity since his student days at the University of Wolverhampton.

He is eager to contribute his expertise and long-held respect for Beacon to support its vital work.

Join Our Team

We provide life-changing support for those living with sight loss, but we couldn’t do it without our amazing team members. Whether you’re looking for a new step in your career, or fancy volunteering in your spare time, you couldn’t wish for a more friendly and rewarding place to work than Beacon.

If you’re interested in joining the team get in touch or complete the application form linked below.

View Current Vacancies

Volunteer

Our volunteers are the heartbeat of our organization, generously dedicating approximately 20,000 hours annually to create positive change. With a diverse array of volunteer opportunities available—from supporting our retail efforts to fund our mission, to combating loneliness with our befriending program—there’s a place for everyone to contribute.

We value enthusiasm and a commitment to helping others as much as we do experience. Regardless of your background, we’re here to match you with a role that aligns with your interests and skills.

As a volunteer with us, you’ll join an exceptional team recognized with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. You’ll meet new friends and, most importantly, make a meaningful impact.

A list of available roles is always on our volunteer opportunities page.

To explore our current volunteer openings, please see the information below. For more details on specific roles or to start your volunteer journey with us, reach out to our People Team through the contact form or by calling us at 01902 880 111, Option 3.

 

I so enjoy volunteering with Beacon, I know that my time is appreciated, and it makes a difference, not only for Beacon’s beneficiaries but also for me.

Volunteer