Board Members

Chairman

David Smith OBE

David was born in Tarleton, and after attending Hutton Grammar School, joined the Lancashire Constabulary as a Cadet in 1964. He gained a 1st Class B.A. Honours Degree in Social Studies at Liverpool University in 1981. After being Head of Training, in 1990, he took Command of Eastern Division. He was then appointed Assistant Chief Constable in Northumbria Police later returning to Lancashire where he became Acting Deputy Chief Constable.

He retired in December 1999, after 35 years’ service, and joined the Home Office, as Northwest Regional Director, working with Local Authorities, Police forces and other public and voluntary sector bodies. He retired in September 2006.

For over 20 years, he was actively involved with The Prince’s Trust.

He was awarded an O.B.E. in the 2005 New Year Honours List.

He has been a LANPAC Director since 2007, and in March 2018, became Chairman.

Vice Chairperson

Russell Millhouse BA (Hons) MBA

Russ is the Head of External and Public Affairs at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). He has responsibility for the University’s senior interface, relationships and initiatives with key external stakeholders including Central Government, Members of Parliament, local authorities, and civic figures. He also oversees the University’s engagement with external awards, including National Honours and UCLan’s own extensive network of Honorary Fellows and Doctors.

Russ also supports and advises the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor on lobbying activities, strategic projects, and speechwriting.

Alongside his role at UCLan, Russ is a Trustee of Blackburn Cathedral and a Governor at Broad Oak Primary School, Penwortham.

Previously, Russ was Special Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor and a Public Orator at the University of Chester and before that, Governance Officer at Chester Cathedral. Russ holds an MBA and a BA(Hons) in Religious Studies.

Director / Manager

Al Yusuf

Al, as LANPAC Manager, brings over three decades of experience with Lancashire Constabulary, encompassing various roles such as Crime Prevention and Exhibition Officer, Force Alarms Manager, and Business Development Officer. He has demonstrated proficiency in managing intruder alarm system policies, securing considerable funding from external organisations for projects, and fostering diversity and inclusion initiatives. Additionally, Al has collaborated closely with the Constabulary’s Diversity and Inclusion Department and played a pivotal role in founding the Lancashire Black Police Association. His expertise extends to supporting Senior Investigation Officers in major incidents, both domestically and internationally, reflecting his commitment to effective Constabulary practices.

Director

Clive Grunshaw

Clive Grunshaw was elected as Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner in May 2024.

He previously served as Commissioner from 2012 to 2021, with a strong focus on neighbourhood policing, protecting victims and vulnerable people as well as crime prevention and reducing reoffending.

Over the course of his career, Commissioner Grunshaw has worked in trade union and parliamentary roles as well as serving as a Wyre Borough Councillor and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People on Lancashire’s County Council. Mr Grunshaw was a member of Lancashire’s Police Authority before the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners in 2012.

Born and bred in Fleetwood, Commissioner Grunshaw is a huge advocate for Lancashire, having spent the majority of his life striving to make it a better place for everyone.

Mr Grunshaw will be working closely with the Constabulary, Community Safety Partners and community representatives across Lancashire to ensure that residents receive the policing service they expect and deserve from their police force.

Director

Wendy Walker QPM

Wendy was born and brought up in Clitheroe where she attended Clitheroe Royal Grammar School. On leaving school, she attended Almemars Physical Education College, Liverpool, where she gained a Bachelor of Education Degree.

Wendy joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1981. She went on to serve across all parts of the county. During her career she was awarded a Master of Arts Degree in Organisational Management from the University of Manchester .

As Divisional Commander at Lancaster she was in charge of the cockle picking disaster. In 2005 she went on secondment to HMIC. Until her retirement in 2011, Wendy served the last 7 years as Assistant Chief Constable in command of various disciplines.

She was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the 2009 New Year Honours List. In 2010, due to her national work on Learning and Development, she became an Honorary Fellow of the University of Central Lancashire.

Since her retirement, she has undertaken charity work with Macmillan and The Prince’s Trust. She is an active member of St. Paul’s Church, Low Moor, Clitheroe.

Wendy has been involved with LANPAC since the late 1990’s.

Director

Paula Hawley- Evans

Paula Hawley-Evans is a seasoned Consultant in Public Health based in Lytham St Anne’s, Lancashire. She brings extensive experience in public health leadership, currently serving at Lancashire County Council. Her role involves developing and implementing strategies to improve population health and reduce health inequalities across the region. 

Paula holds a master’s degree and has built a career focused on evidence-based policy making, community health initiatives, and collaborative approaches to public health challenges. Her work supports the delivery of effective health services and the promotion of well-being throughout Lancashire. 

Friend of Board

Russ Procter

Russ, who is married and lives in the Ribble Valley brings over 30yrs experience in Policing, having joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1994. In August of 2024 he retired, having served his last three years as an Assistant Chief Constable. This role saw him as the Prevention and Problem-Solving lead where he was instrumental in delivering a Prevention and Problem-Solving Command, whilst also introducing ‘Right Care Right Person’ to Lancashire, supporting individuals in mental ill-health crisis. He has vast experience in the delivery of strategic and operational policing operations which has also included Operation Centurion, targeting Anti-Social Behaviour Hotspots across the County, working with many stakeholders, supported by Home Office and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.  

This passion for reducing crime and disorder, whilst improving the lives of victims and communities is the reason he has joined the Board to support the excellent work that is delivered across Lancashire.

Director

Roger Berry LLB (Hons)

Deputy Leader Wyre Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety.

Deputy Chair of the Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire.

Retired Solicitor having been in private practice on the Fylde Coast for over 40 years.

Director

Dr Allison Jones BSC (Hons) MSC PHD MRSC MCSFS FHEA

Alli has over 25 years’ experience in both the public and private Higher Education sectors, leading a wide range of areas including STEM, Policing, and Business.  She has held a wide range of posts from Lecturer to Chief Academic Officer and has provided HE leadership consultancy services to a range of FE and HE institutions both in the UK and overseas.

Alli has a track record for driving and leading innovation in higher education, particularly in Forensic Science, Policing and Emergency Management.  She has achieved this success through multi-agency partnership working whilst maintaining quality and standards and ensuring the delivery of a high-quality experience to all stakeholders.

Alli is a QAA reviewer and also serves as a governor at Myerscough College and a Director of SfJ Awards where she chairs their respective Quality and Standards Committees.

Director

Andrea Challis DL

Andrea from Staining, near Blackpool, is joint owner and CEO of The Partington Group, a family run group of companies which operate holiday home parks in north west of England.

Andrea is also a Director on the Board of Marketing Lancashire, is a member of the Blackpool Business Leaders Recovery Group and is on the Board of Blackpool and the Fylde College.

Married to Martin and with two children, in her spare time Andrea volunteers at Blackpool’s Trinity Hospice and is also a keen supporter of other local charities.

Director

Katherine O’Connor MBE

Katherine is a proud Lancastrian and currently works for the Office for Local Government as Engagement Lead. 

Katherine has volunteered for Lancashire Police for over forty-five years, serving twenty-five years as a Special Constable working as a senior officer in recruitment and community safety initiatives before being invited to Chair a Police youth-based charity and become a Director of LANPAC.

Alongside her role in LANPAC, Katherine is a Trustee of North West Blood Bikes (Lancashire and Cumbria).  She has held positions for many years in a variety of voluntary activities, mainly involving young people.

Previous roles have included working for the government supporting Lancashire local authorities, companies and economic development.  Prior to this she worked for the London 2012 Olympic Games and in tourism and leisure across North West England at the NW Development Agency, as Deputy Head of Tourism at Blackpool Council and in the private sector for First Leisure Corporation.  She is proud of her work in promoting the North West and Lancashire through developing and achieving funding for many projects.

Director

Phil Davidson BSc (Hons) MSc MAPM RPP

Phil graduated from the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology in 1985 graduating with a BSc Hons Degree in Metallurgy and has a master’s degree from University of Warwick.  Following graduation, Phil joined Royal Ordnance as a Graduate, moved into a leading FTSE 100 company based in the UK covering various roles, and is currently a Senior Executive at BAE Systems with responsibility for a wide range of activities.

Phil is a member of the Association of Project Manager (APM) and has been on the LANPAC board since 2018

Phil is married with 2 children and in his spare time enjoys Fly Fishing, Travelling, Gardening, and keeping horses

Director

Jo Oliver

A native of Northumberland, Jo has now made her home in Lancashire.  Her career has primarily been within the Agricultural sector working within global supply chains and from farm to fork commercial enterprises. 

As Managing Partner for NFU Mutual in Central Lancashire she has been the driving force behind the growth of the multi award winning agency over the preceding 10 years and previously performed a similar function for 10 years based in the beautiful city of Bath.

In addition, her role also extends to represent over 500 farming businesses via the ‘National Farmers Union of England & Wales’ whose purpose is to ensure a stable and sustainable future for British Farmers and protect and promote the industry.

Jo is also Mentor and Director of a number of start-up companies

Director

Ann Dean MBE DL

Ann is a Founder of Benetimo Health which started over 15 years ago to provide creative services to the healthcare sector. Director of Gutterking a family owned builders merchants’ group in Lancashire and Greater Manchester Also holds positions with TiE UK North a global entrepreneur network Manchester based. A past High Sheriff of Lancashire 2013-14 and Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire. Lancashire LEP non-executive director and Chair of Blackburn Cathedral Board of Trustees.

Director

Adrian French

A Mechanical Engineer by trade, Adrian began his youth work career in 1991 age 28 as a volunteer at Bolton Lads & Girls Club. He enjoyed the work so much he decided to complete his youth work training and 4 years. Later found himself at Bradford & Ilkely Youth & Community College studying for a degree in Youth Work.

While studying he secured a part time youth work position in Harrogate and once qualified secured a full time position with North Yorkshire County Council Youth Service, where  he progressed to become Youth Support Service Manager in the Harrogate District. Following 22 years. with NYCC, he moved to his current position of County Director of Lancashire Association of Boys & Girls Clubs. The availability of Youth clubs and services are critical for the personal development of disadvantaged young people, providing a place where vulnerable young people feel they belong and safe and able to access support on issues that affect their lives.

Friend of Board

Sacha Hatchett

Sacha joined the police service in February 1997 and has worked within a variety of different roles across North Wales Police, Cheshire and now Lancashire Constabulary.

As Assistant Chief Constable in North Wales Sacha had responsibility for Local Policing, Crime and Specialist Ops.

Sacha took up the position of Deputy Chief Constable at Lancashire Constabulary in September 2021. The three Assistant Chief Constables and the Chief Operating Officer reported to her as the Deputy Chief Constable. Sacha also had responsibility for the Professional Standards Department, Corporate Development and Legal Services.

In September 2022, Sacha took responsibility as the NPCC lead for Serious Violence Reduction and Public Health Approaches in Policing.

Following the retirement of predecessor Chris Rowley, Sacha successfully passed the Chief Constable recruitment process and in March 2024 Sacha was confirmed as the Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary. 

Friend of Board

Helen Bingley OBE JP DL

Helen Bingley is a founder member, Trustee and CEO of the Abaseen Foundation UK. Helen never tires of visiting the projects in Pakistan at least once a year and delights in the progress made year on year to improve the lives of some of the poorest people in the world. Helen is Managing Director of Bingley Consultancy Ltd, a business that was established to support senior managers in the NHS, and public, private and voluntary sectors with strategic change. Prior to this Helen worked as Head of Teaching and Learning in the Centre for Ethnicity and Health at the University of Central Lancashire. Helen qualified as a nurse in 1979 and took up her first management post in the NHS in 1984 gaining promotion through the different management levels in the NHS. Helen was recognised for her work with Abaseen Foundation when she was awarded the OBE and appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire, by the Queen.

Friend of Board

Eddie Walsh MBE

Friend of Board

Tom Meadows

Friend of Board

Matt Hamer

Currently the Area Manger Head of Prevention and Protection at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) Matt is responsible for the delivery of the Counties fire safety regulatory activity ensuring circa 65k commercial premise comply with legislation. Additionally, Matt directs the services prevention offerings across Lancashire’s diverse population of c1.5 million residents and education establishments. Matt has overseen several significant changes during his time with LFRS, most notably he was responsible for ensuring all emergency incident commanders are accredited along with overseeing the introduction of new fire safety legislation following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

In addition to LANPAC, Matt is an active member of the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership along with other strategic boards across Youth Justice and Community Safety. Matt also remains an active incident commander, responding to significant incidents.

Friend of Board

Dennis Mendoros OBE DL

Dennis is a qualified Aeronautical Engineer and businessman with over 45 years’ experience in the international aerospace industry.

In 1998, Dennis started own business, Euravia Engineering, that grew from a ‘one-man’ business to a successful international aerospace company and was bestowed the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

For over 30 years Dennis has, and continue to, lead and support several regional initiatives and partnerships between the private, public and voluntary sectors including armed services support organisations.

Following the formation of Euravia Engineering, Dennis made his home in Lancashire. His hobbies include flying, boating and diving. He also enjoys reading history and economic affairs.

Meeting Observer

Chris Abbott

Chris joined Lancashire Constabulary in December 2003, posted as a Response Officer in Bispham, West Division. Chris then worked across all of Blackpool and The Fylde, being promoted to Sergeant. Having then gained experience as a Response and Custody Sergeant, Chris moved across to South Division in 2015 where he was promoted to the rank of Inspector, leading teams in West Lancashire, Chorley and Preston. 

In 2019 after gaining experience as a Divisional Response Inspector, Chris was successful in becoming the Local Policing Geographic Inspector for Chorley and South Ribble. After a year in post, and during the Covid Pandemic in 2020, Chris was temporarily appointed Chief Inspector responsible for Response and Local Policing across Chorley and South Ribble. In 2021 Chris was substantially promoted and became the Local Policing Chief Inspector for West Lancashire. 

During his time as Chief Inspector, Chris and his Local Policing Teams have been successful in winning a total of 3 Lancashire Constabulary POP Awards – in 2020, 2022 and again in 2023 – something Chris is particularly proud of.  

Chris continues his work in Problem Solving and Prevention, when in August 2024 he took over as ASB, Prevention and Problem Solving Commander for Lancashire. 

Friend of the Board

James Carter