Linda has lived in Hallaton, near Market Harborough for over 30 years. Her professional background was in criminal justice. She was Chief Probation Officer for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for 16 years between 1988 – 2004, before moving to the Home Office and Ministry of Justice as the regional commissioner in the East Midlands for prisons and probation.
Since retiring in December 2009, Linda has been actively involved with the voluntary and community sector as a trustee and chair of a range of charities and other community organisations. She has chaired the Board of Trustees at Voluntary Action South Leicestershire (VASL) for the last 9 years. VASL is based in Market Harborough but provides services across Leicestershire. She is also a trustee of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. Linda has also played an active part in the life of her village, wanting to use her skills and experience in giving back to her community.
Linda has extensive experience of good governance in the VCS, leading on governance reviews in a range of charities and setting up systems to ensure its implementation. Linda was previously Chair of VAL and is pleased to return – to a much changed organisation – to lead the Board and support the Chief Executive and Executive Management Team in the further development of VAL.