Liverpool charity Mandela8 have announced the appointment of three new trustees for 2025 to the organisation’s Board.
Former Urban Design Officer, Lesley Woodbridge, anti-racism champion nurse, Michelle Cox, and filmmaker and longtime Mandela8 collaborator, Joe Campbell will bring their extensive experience and skillsets to the charity following the announcement this week.
Michelle brings an expertise in in equality, diversity, and inclusion to support Mandela8’s vital work. With a strong background in advocating for racial equity within the NHS and beyond, she is committed to challenging systemic injustices and creating lasting change.
Michelle’s experience in policy development, workforce inclusion, and amplifying marginalised voices aligns with Mandela8’s mission to inspire social justice and empower communities and she is looking forward to “contributing to the charity’s impactful initiatives and helping to drive meaningful progress”.
In 2012, Joe founded Culture City with the aim of highlighting and celebrating the rich culture of Liverpool. Originally a university project, Culture City has since evolved into a thriving content creation house based in the iconic Royal Liver Buildings.
Over the years, Culture City has worked with a diverse range of clients, from global brands to emerging artists, telling captivating stories, and providing opportunities for young people in the Liverpool City Region. Joe has worked previously with the Mandela8 Young Media Group on the production of several documentaries.
Lesley has over 30 years’ experience working in the art, heritage, and regeneration sectors. For the past ten years, she worked with Liverpool City Council’s urban design and placemaking team encouraging high quality, creative and sustainable design in the public realm.
As Liverpool’s World Heritage Site co-ordinator, she worked with heritage organisations in the UK, including Historic England and the DCMS, as well as UNESCO and other World Heritage Sites to promote, protect and enhance Liverpool’s rich cultural heritage.
Her previous experience includes working with the Victoria and Albert Museum and public and private sector galleries in England and Scotland before spending 15 years with one of Scotland’s leading public art commissioning agencies to promote the contribution artists can make to important regeneration schemes, advising on the art programme for the new Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, and the community engagement work of one of Scotland’s successful housing associations.
Chair of Mandela8, Sonia Bassey MBE said: “We’re delighted to have Lesley, Michelle and Joe join us as Trustees at Mandela8. They are all shining examples of excellence in their industries as well as champions of their communities and longtime supporters of Mandela8. We can’t wait to work with them on all our upcoming projects.”
More information on Mandela8 can be found at mandela8.org.uk.