Partnership Board

Our Partnership Board comprised representatives from our client advisory group (Independent Futures), service providers, commissioners and equalities groups. The board had an independent chair and members had strong links with Bristol’s key strategic bodies to maximise influence and create awareness.

  • John Simpson

    John is the independent chair of the Golden Key Partnership Board. He has served as a chief officer in three contrasting local authorities and was a founding director of Tribal Education Ltd.

    He has wide experience of chairing organisations across all sectors and was appointed by two Secretaries of State to undertake statutory roles within the education and skills sector. John first moved to Bristol in 1976.

  • Nick Hooper

    Nick spent most of his career in local government, particularly in housing policy and development. In the nearly 30 years he spent with Bristol City Council – the last 12 as Service Director for housing – he also developed expertise in homelessness, private housing renewal, commissioning, as well as organisational development. Nick is now involved as non-executive director/trustee in a number of not-for-profit organisations concerned with mental health, older people and young people.

  • Aileen Edwards

    As the CEO of our lead agency, Second Step, Aileen is Golden Key’s senior responsible officer.

    Trained in counselling and with a degree in psychology, Aileen has 10 years’ experience working in a women’s mental health collective. She is also a trustee on the Association of Mental Health Providers.

    Aileen joined Second Step in 1993 as a development officer - one of a handful of staff working out of one room in Easton, and has seen the organisation grow to more than 200 staff working across the West of England, before taking up the role of Chief Executive in 1995.