CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Warren Escadale
Warren has been the Chief Executive of VSNW since 2014 and employed to advocate on behalf of the voluntary and community sector nationally and regionally for 20 years. He has championed the role of the sector in driving social and economic growth throughout his career. Warren sees devolution, whatever it may be, as the starting point for a new understanding of what our sector is and could be.
Partnerships Officer
Kassandra Banks
Kassandra joined VSNW in January 2022 as the Partnerships Officer. Prior to joining VSNW, Kassandra worked in the Private Sector for the past 15 years. She is also a volunteer at The Cats Protection Charity as she is very passionate about animal welfare.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and eating out. Kassandra studied Culinary Arts at university so she is very passionate about creating and developing recipes as well as experimenting with patisserie.
Programme Manager - Greater Manchester
Anna Cooper
Anna joined VSNW in October 2020, and has recently been promoted to Greater Manchester Programme Manager, leading on project management responsibilities relating to the Greater Manchester VCSE Leadership Group, and the delivery of the VCSE GM Accord.
Anna joined VSNW with experience across the private and third sector; having worked for six years in healthcare events, as a Social Action Manager delivering the National Citizen Service programme, and as a long standing volunteer at Partisan Collective - a cooperative arts and social centre she helped establish and is still a member of.
In her spare time, she enjoys taking part in a community radio station and runs a music collective that host inclusive workshops for women, non-binary and trans people.
Research and Policy Manager – VS6
Laura Tilston
Laura joined the team in September 2020 as the new Research and Policy Officer for the VS6 Partnership, supporting the VCFSE sector to influence and drive change in the Liverpool City Region. Prior to joining VSNW, Laura worked within the mental health commissioning team at NHS Wirral CCG and before that as a Probation Service Officer in Cheshire. Outside of work, Laura’s interests include cooking, reading and studying Japanese.
Operations Director
Yen Tan
Yen joined VSNW in July 2022 as the Operations Manager, working closely with and reporting to our Chief Executive, to support the rapid growth of VSNW while maintaining the quality of operational work.
Having worked in the social housing sector and for various VCSE organisations for over 17 years, Yen has developed extensive experience in taking a strategic lead in organisational development and growth, community engagement, digital inclusion, project management and service improvement.
Prior to joining VSNW, Yen served as the CEO of a medium size voluntary organisation in Manchester for over five years and currently a Board Member of Salford CVS.
Communications Officer - Greater Manchester & VSNW
Tom Jackson
Tom joined VSNW in November 2022. He works on communications for the GM VCSE Leadership Group and VSNW. Prior to joining, Tom worked in heritage, hospitality, higher education and was awarded a PhD in French Studies from the University of Sheffield.
Outside of work, Tom enjoys football, baking, and walking. Recently, Tom worked as a volunteer on a digital inclusion project in Tameside and is keen to undertake more voluntary work in the future.
Project Coordinator - Answer Cancer
Jacqui Naraynsingh
Jacqui joined VSNW in April 2023 to help project manage and coordinate the Answer Cancer Programme across Greater Manchester. Her career to date has covered the public, private and third sector organisations, with delivery of quality services as a common thread throughout.
Jacqui volunteers with Audacious Foundation providing practical and emotional support for people affected by cancer and is passionate about ensuring that all communities can access the help they need by putting in place responsive services.
Outside of work, Jacqui enjoys yoga, syncronised swimming, gardening and travel.
Database and Admin Officer - Answer Cancer & VSNW
Fiona Chow
Fiona joined VSNW in April 2023 to help with Answer Cancer and VSNW Civi Database work. She also provides admin support to Answer Cancer and VSNW when required.
Fiona graduated with an Information Systems Engineering degree and has seven years’ experience working with Oracle databases. She also has experience working for several charity organisations as a volunteer and in part time roles.
Events, Admin and Membership Officer
Yoaby Tsang
Yoaby joined the team in 2023 as the Events, Admin and Membership Officer, supporting the operations of VSNW, the Cheshire and Warrington Infrastructure Partnership (CWIP), and the VS6 Partnership.
Yoaby graduated with a Government and Public Administration degree and brings experience of project and event management from her service in various non-profit organisations. Prior to joining VSNW, she worked within the third sector focusing on social advocacy, youth engagement and community outreach.
Research and Communications Coordinator
Francesca McIntosh
Francesca joined VSNW in December 2023 as the Research and Communications Coordinator, working to coordinate and enhance the participation of VCFSE groups in research initiatives, along with supporting VS6 and CWIP with their communications.
Francesca recently graduated from Liverpool John Moore’s University, where she completed her studies in Media, Culture and Communication. With a passion for academia and experience in communications, Francesca is eager to apply her research skills and contribute to the coordination and strengthening of VCFSE groups in research.
Communications Officer
Emma Newman
Emma joined VSNW in March 2024 taking up the role of Communications Officer for VSNW, with particular focus on the “VCSE Sector influencing the future of the North West” project. Prior to joining the team, Emma worked in communication and engagement roles across the public sector, including for local government and the police.
Programme Manager - Cheshire and Merseyside
Lyn Cooke
Lyn joined VSNW in July 2024. Her role supports the VCFSE transformation programme in Cheshire and Merseyside. With a background in art and journalism, Lyn worked in the public sector for over 20 years in a range of communications and engagement roles prior to joining the organisation. Much of that time was spent in the NHS, working alongside partners from across health and care.