Meet the Executive

Trans Pennine Trail Executive Group

The Executive Board meets quarterly and are responsible for providing guidance to and overseeing the work of staff in the TPT Office, approving budgets and accounts, reviewing and approving the projects work programmes in line with the Development Strategy 23-28.

Chair and Vice Chair

Chair, John Wilson (Barnsley)
I have lived and worked in Barnsley for over 40 years, and represented one of the Penistone wards on Barnsley Council for almost 20 years before retiring in 2023. The TPT runs through my area, and is  much appreciated by the local community. In my spare time my family and I and pet dog ‘Belle’ love to enjoy the trail and all it has to offer.

Get in touch with Councillor John Wilson: info@transpenninetrail.org.uk

Vice Chair, Councillor Mike Jordan (North Yorkshire)
Summer cyclist, semi-keen gardener, petrol head and keen walker in the Lakes and the Dales. I am also a motorcyclist, married with 2 kids who have flown the nest at last!!!!

Get in touch with Councillor Mike Jordan: info@transpenninetrail.org.uk

Regional Chairs, Host Authority and Chair of the Friends of the Trans Pennine Trail

TPT Mersey Group, Chris Bluck, Warrington
I am a Principle Engineer at Warrington Borough Council, where I have worked for 45 years.  I work within the Traffic Management, Road Safety, Highway Adoptions and Public Rights of Way team, and currently the chair of the Trans Pennine Trail Mersey Region Group. I am a keen walker and cyclist and love being out in the countryside, taking advantage of all that nature has to offer.

Get in touch with Chris Bluck: info@transpenninetrail.org.uk

TPT Greater Manchester Group, Nicola Marshall, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

I am the Operations and Greenspace Manager at Tameside Council; we look after lots of parks and countryside in the Borough and the Trans Pennine Trail runs through some of our sites.  I really enjoy visiting the Trail as part of my work but I also walk along the Trail near where I live in Manchester and Stockport.

Get in touch with Nicola Marshall: info@transpenninetrail.org.uk

TPT Pennine Group, Sarah Ford, Barnsley
Starts in PROW in 1993 in Bedfordshire, worked in County Durham, Sunderland, Kirklees and started in Barnsley in 2004. Manage the 780km network of footpaths and bridleways with a small dedicated team and support from partners/ landownders in public and private sectors. In spare time I coach and paddle kayaks, open canadians and SUP’s for fun. I race and coach white water slalom, help run national events and qualified as an international judge in 2021.

Get in touch with Sarah Ford: info@transpenninetrail.org.uk

TPT Central Group, Andy Carnall, Doncaster
I work in the Public Rights of Way Team at City of Doncaster Council and have done so for the last 20 years. I manage the TPT through Doncaster and am currently chair of the Central Group. In my spare time I enjoy walking in the countryside.

Get in touch with Andy Carnall: info@transpenninetrail.org.uk                                                                                     

TPT Eastern Group, Allan Davidson, Hull

Have worked in various highway roles at Hull City Council starting before the TPT even existed. I am currently Sustainable Travel Officer in Major Projects, Culture & Place, focused on encouraging walking, cycling and the local public rights of way network. I am currently Chair of the TPT Eastern Region Group.   As a non-driving utility cyclist, I walk and cycle, locally, using public transport to get further afield. In my spare time, if I’m not in the company of my family, enjoying some culture, or out on a bike, I ride a tandem with Beech Holme Tandem Club taking VIPs (visually impaired people) to local cafés and hostelries in the countryside around Hull and beyond. The club often incorporates the TPT which is a real joy to ride despite the odd tree root or barrier, which is more than compensated for by the scenery,  peace and tranquillity of the traffic free sections.

Get in touch with Allan Davidson: info@transpenninetrail.org.uk  

Host Authority, Tracey Brewer, Barnsley
Head of Service for Strategic Transport here in Barnsley; keen to deliver more Active Travel routes in the borough and to improve the quality of the TPT for users. A keen horse rider and dog walker (that’s Noel the rescue Arab pony and Kru the Doberman in the photo) having good off road facilities makes life a lot easier and enjoyable.

Get in touch with Tracey Brewer: info@transpenninetrail.org.uk

Chair of the Friends of the Trans Pennine Trail, Simon Geller
I learnt to ride a bike when I was 10, so I came to it a little late. I’m hoping to make up for that now I’m a bit older.
I got annoyed at being squeezed off the road by the increase in traffic in the 1980’s and 90’s, so I felt the urge to try and do something about it.
I was inspired by the creation of the National Cycle Network and Trans Pennine Trail, providing places to walk, cycle and ride horses well away from the hubbub of the modern world, and have done my best to support these initiatives.
As a youngster I spent my time doing newspaper rounds, riding my bike around, going swimming and trying to learn a little, and in my older years it seems that I’ve gone full circle!

Get in touch with Simon Geller: friends@transpenninetrail.org.uk