Our team
All our expert staff at Create support hundreds of volunteers and trainees each year. Having started in Leeds, we now have business centres in Doncaster, Sunderland and Greater Manchester. Our executive board are at the heart of everything we do. Here’s some more about them.
Norman Pickavance, Chairman
Norman has over 15 years’ board-level experience, working with organisations delivering change, growth and development in the US, Far East and Europe. Group HR Director of Wm Morrisons Supermarkets PLC, a FTSE 30 business with over 135,000 people, Norman helped lead the company to Employer of the Year in UK Retailing for 2010. Norman is proud to chair Create, seeing it grow from a local player to gaining national recognition as the SE100’s Trailblazing Newcomer.
Sarah Dunwell, Chief Executive Officer
With 10 years’ experience of developing, growing and transforming small businesses, Sarah brings her well-rounded and tightly focused entrepreneurial spirit to the Create board. As co-founder, she is passionate about the role of enterprise in improving life for the most disadvantaged in our society. Sarah takes responsibility for the running of the Create businesses and ensures that Create remains innovative and original.
Gary Stott, Deputy Chairman
Responsible for Create’s strategy and business development, Gary is a leader in the voluntary sector, with 20 years’ experience tackling social exclusion and homelessness. Gary provides much of the creative spark and personality at Create. Previously CEO of respected and award-winning homeless charity, Gary brings a wealth of know‐how and expertise.
Richard Allen, Executive Chef
Richard has spent over 20 years in the food industry. Having trained in the UK, France and Italy, he was recruited to head up Terence Conran’s flagship food offer in London. In the last 12 years, Richard has been pivotal in developing Harvey Nichols as a premium food brand, also leading the company’s Start Up team. He retains his passion for food and service and has unrivalled experience in staff recruitment and training.
