About us: The Board

Frances Emmerson – Non Executive Member

Frances joined Ucan – LWL’s board in 2013.  She brings with her 30 years experience working in public services as a social worker in both statutory and voluntary sector.  She worked in a range of services for families, young people and children which involved in both practice and management.  Her most recent experience prior to early retirement was as a Programme Manager for Barnardos.

As well as her experience as a social work practitioner, Frances brings a further 16 years of part time lecturing in Higher and Further Education, teaching and assessing in a wide range of related subject areas from SVQs to Degree level. As well as being a qualified Social Worker, Frances has a BA(Hons) Social Science, a Post Graduate Certificate Teaching in Higher Education and Post Graduate Certificate in Social Services Leadership.

As well as her work as Ucan board member, Frances has continued to do some part time work as an SVQ Assessor in Health & Social Care.  Over time, however, this has reduced as she strives to divide her busy schedule between Scotland and her home in France.  The latter has now become a base for Frances and her husband to work with young French children who come on residential programmes to learn English; Frances also has a TEFEL qualification.

When she does get some spare time Frances enjoys a wide range of water sports, cooking and travelling (sometimes on foot – Frances has run the London Marathon 4 times!)

Frances is married to Brian and has 3 grown up daughters.

Maureen Walker – Non Executive Member

Our newest member of the board, Maureen joins Ucan with a wealth of experience.  Graduating in Economics she enjoyed a successful career working in IT and software management.  Prior to taking early retirement, Maureen worked for over 25 years in Local Government predominately in the field of Project Management.  This role saw her working in the areas of Economic Development, Performance Management, Information Technology including Systems Development, Web Development, and Information Management.

Significantly for Ucan, Maureen has enjoyed great success in managing and delivering a series of successful projects; these have included projects providing education and training opportunities for unemployed people, IT support for businesses, the community and voluntary sector.  She has worked  in partnership with other public bodies, the business community, voluntary and community organisations, and European partnerships. Finally, she was a former Board member of the successful CONDUIT Programme which supported long term unemployed into Further Education, Higher Education and employment.

Currently Maureen runs her own Management Consultancy MBW Consultants.

In her spare time, Maureen enjoys reading, drawing and painting as well as writing fiction and poetry.  She is married with two children and three grandchildren.