Meet Our Team

The Apex Charitable Trust team in St Helens is ready to provide advice and support to both employers and the people who use our services. Our professional staff and volunteers do their best for every individual they work with.

The Apex Trust team is located in St Helens town centre, delivering outreach service across the borough of St Helens, Merseyside. 

Management of the charity

We have a group of highly experienced trustees, staff and volunteers who operate the service. The charity holds the Quality mark;MATRIX for our delivery of advice and guidance and is a centre which offers accredited courses and qualification through Open Awards.

Our Chief Executive Officer, Kim, has been with the charity since 1998, and has successfully overseen the development and sustainability of many projects, supported by and accountable to a very experienced group of Trustees.

Our Trustees

Claire Redford-Kerr – Chair

  • Joined: April 2015

  • Profession: Capability Team Lead – Voluntary & Community Action

  • Background: Voluntary Services, Management, IT support, Capacity Building

Jane Taylor-Holmes – Company Secretary& Director

  • Joined: 2015

  • Profession: Governance

  • Background: Governance Professional working across multiple FE Colleges with a background of Board Secretary, Company Secretary, Clerk to the Corporation, Solicitor

Colin Litherland – Trustee & Director

  • Joined: April 2024

  • Profession: Trainer and consultant predominantly in the area of human performance in safety critical roles. 

  • Background: ex-military, served 24 years in the RAF. Professional development in the field of coaching, counselling and psychotherapy


Holly Loudon - Trustee & Director

  • Joined: June 2021

  • Profession: General Counsel & Company Secretary

  • Background: Commercial Law, Batchelor of Law, Legal Practice

Dr Craig Fletcher - Trustee & Director

Joined: March 2024

  • Profession: Director of Impact research and evaluation

  • Background: Ex-armed forces, I use my lived experiences of crime, prison, punishment and desistance as a way of working effectively with people that are involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, crime

Alishia Fitzsimmons - Trustee & Director

Joined: April 2024

  • Profession: Programme Manager - Right to Succeed

  • Background: Masters in Health Psychology, Research Assistant and Interchange Co-ordinator.

 

Kim Hughes BCAv - Chief Executive

Kim Started with the charity in 1998 as a volunteer and became a valued employee in 1999.

For 27 years Kim’s dedication has seen her take on more responsibility and since 2015 she has been the CEO of the charity. Her role as CEO consists of securing funds for the delivery of projects, reporting to funders, partner organisations and the board of trustees.

Kim manages and supports her team of staff and volunteers to enable them to deliver to targets and outcomes and provide quality Information, advice & guidance to all.

In January 2020, Kim was awarded a British Citizen Award for services to the voluntary/charity sector.

Diane - Senior Advice and Guidance Officer

Started at Apex Trust in December 2020

Diane is passionate about working within roles that contribute to wider aim of reducing re-offending. Diane’s background stems from working as within the Education Department in a Prison Setting, teaching Offenders CSCS courses in order for them to gain employment. Now working at Apex as Senior Advice and Guidance, Diane goes above and beyond helping offenders leaving prison and going back into to society, fantastic employment and education opportunities.

Sammy - Finance Assistant

Started at Apex Trust in April 2023

Skills:

Accounts Payable, Billing, Payroll, Receptionist, Data Entry

Qualifications: AAT Level 2

Sammy has a wealth of experience within office management, bookkeeper & accounts manager.

Hazel - Chef

Stared working at Apex in February 2022

Hazel has been working within the food industry for many years. Hazel is knowledgeable about best practice, safe food handling, inventory management and always serves foods to the highest standard. Hazel is friendly and always serve customers with a smile.

Beccy - Chef

Stared Working at Apex Trust in August 2022

Beccy has been working in the hospitality industry for over 23 years. Beccy is an excellent team worker and remains calm under pressure and always serves food to the highest standard.

Carianne - Baker/Front of House

Started working at Apex Trust in October 2021

Carianne creates our yummy cakes and treats within our coffee shop. She is hard working, friendly and the amazing care of our customers comes is second nature to her. Caz is qualified in Cupcake and Pastry Course at St Helens College. When Carrianne is not baking our delicious treats, she is does amazing work in our Coffee Shop, serving customers and also helping out in the kitchen