Our Trustees

Maggie is best known as the Detective-turned- whistleblower who resigned from Greater Manchester Police in late 2012 in order to expose the now infamous Rochdale Grooming Scandal. Her ability to connect with people and encourage them to speak out against injustice paired with her grit and determination to expose the truth. This eventually led to the multi award-winning dramatisation of the case entitled Three Girls (BBC One) which brought some of the issues to public attention for the first time. Maggie was also a key contributor to The Betrayed Girls documentary (BBC One).

Maggie’s relationship with the victims of child grooming continues to this day, still fighting for justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation.

Jo has a background in safeguarding children and adults with over 30 years of experience.

She has worked with other charities across various roles. Jo fully supports the mission of The Maggie Oliver Foundation and is thrilled to be a part of it in her role as a trustee.

Deb Sahota is an IT professional, based in Cheshire. Born in a small town in Lancashire, she has lived in the North West all her life. Graduating from Manchester University with a degree in biology, she has over 30 years of experience working in the computing industry for a range of organisations of different sizes. Her first few roles were very technical – starting as a computer programmer, she eventually became less technical and more sales, marketing and people-centred over the years. She is currently working for a large, global IT company, in a business development role.

Deb has two teenage children and a grumpy cat.

Mark Ormiston has over 20 years of experience in IT management, previously serving on the board of AIM listed financial services companies. Mark has experience in managing complex multi-million pound projects in both the public and private sector as well as working with small start-up organisations. Mark has the mantra that technology should be an enabler and enhance and create opportunities for others to grow. He keenly follows all of the latest trends in IT and embodies permanent self-improvement both professionally and personally. Mark has previously served as a trustee on the board of governors at schools in Manchester providing guidance and advice to the management teams. In his spare time.

Mark is a keen online gamer, but also enjoys travelling to the National Parks of the USA and photography.

Kate Ellis is a human rights solicitor who represents victims of crime, and their families, in legal actions against public authorities and policy-makers. Since 2018 she has specialised in cases concerning the policing and prosecution of violence against women and girls, at the legal charity Centre for Women’s Justice. Her clients have included adult survivors of child sexual exploitation seeking justice or redress.

Previously, Kate qualified as a solicitor advocate at the well-known firm Imran Khan & Partners, where she worked on a number of high-profile cases alongside founding partner Imran Khan QC.

Simon Rodgers is a long-time advocate of global human rights, and a passionate campaigner for equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Having built a career in financial services across many senior commercial, change, and people leadership roles, Simon now runs his own consultancy specialising in helping organisations achieve greater inclusion not just internally and among their own people, but also in the communities they are part of and the communities which they serve. Simon brings a wealth of experience to the Foundation, gained in the private, public, and third sectors, while also having been involved in many community initiatives.

In his spare time, Simon enjoys theatre, classical music, and reading.

Trained as a solicitor and qualified as an employment solicitor with Mayer Brown in London in 2000. Dealt with all aspects of employment law including unfair dismissal, discrimination, redundancy etc.

Moved to Olswang in 2003 to continue as a solicitor in their employment department.

Moved in house with PCMS Group plc in 2005, a worldwide software and services company in the retail industry, as Head of Legal. Set up the Legal Department eventually employing and running a staff of four solicitors. Also set up the Procurement Department employing and running a staff of 3 Procurement officers.

As Head of Legal, I was responsible for all legals worldwide in all areas of the law for the company.