Office Staff
Nick Webb, Chief Executive, Pro-Action
Nick Webb was appointed Chief Executive of Pro-Action in July 2008 and has quickly established Pro-Action as the representative voice of the voluntary sector in Hertfordshire. After completing his Degree in International Management, Nick successfully built an adventure sport and travel business over a 10 year period. Nick has always had an interest in the voluntary sector having been volunteer at one point or another for the past 20 years with organisations such as PHAB, the Scout Association and local community groups around and he lives in Hertfordshire.
Nick is a member of the Strategic Stakeholder Group fro the voluntary and community sector on the Hertfordshire Children’s Trust Partnership and a member of both the VCS Engage and VCS Strategy groups, Youth Connexions Advisory Board and the Hertfordshire Vinvolved Steering Group.
Geoff Kirby
Deputy Manager, Specialism,Quality Standards
Geoff came to Pro-Action from Herts Council for Voluntary Youth Services the umbrella body that, along with Herts Association for Young People. Before that, he worked for BT for 28 years in various departments.
His main interest in the voluntary youth sector has been through Hertfordshire Scouts having been a cub, scout and senior scout. He has also volunteered as secretary to Hitchin Scouts District and has been a Venture Scout Leader, Group Scout Leader and a Beaver Leader. Geoff’s main role within Pro-Action is to work with Nick to build and enhance partnerships for the benefit of Pro-Action, its members and the young people of Hertfordshire. He also maintains the CRB and member affiliation databases and to develop the Quality Standards for Pro-Action.
Nicole Williamson
Workforce Development Manager
Nicole joins Pro-Action with 10 years of experience in the play and youth work sector. Nicole started her career in the playwork sector, working as the Play Development Manager in Watford, managing local after school clubs and playschemes. During this time, Nicole completed her Psychology degree as well as NVQ level 2 & 3 in Playwork.
Throughout this time, Nicole also worked within the Youth Sector in a number of roles, including running a local youth club in Watford, the co-ordinator for Watford’s Youth Council representatives, as well as working for Hertfordshire Association for Young People as a part time Field Development Officer and voluntary support worker on the Youth Work Training Scheme for Young People.
From July 2007, Nicole moved to the Voluntary Youth Sector, taking on a newly formed post at the Voluntary Youth Sector Development Manager for HCVYS and HAYP. This role had a county wide remit, supporting member organisations, developing rural youth work, supporting county wide events and running training for young people in Hertfordshire.
Verity Law
Assistant Co-ordinator
Verity joins Pro-Action as a placement student from the University of Hertfordshire, where she is studying Marketing and Public Relations. Verity applied to Pro-Action as she is keen to make a difference to young people’s communities.
Whilst at university Verity has worked on a marketing campaign to raise awareness for Save the Children charity. Verity had to present her campaign to lecturers and was chosen to exhibit her work at ‘Marketing at UH’ where delegates from businesses attended.
Verity’s main responsibility is to work on Pro-Actions diverse projects including young people and adult training, event organising and marketing events.
Pro-Action Chair 
Janie Wentworth-Stanley
Janie is the Chair of Pro-Action and will also be spending a year on office as the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire in 2009-10. Janie is particularly interested in supporting young people.
During her year of office as High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Janie will be involved with youth justice, crime deterrents and youth crime prevention. She will focus on drug and alcohol induced crime and rehabilitation. As well as championing community work in youth crime prevention and drug rehabilitation, Janie will also take an interest in the hospice movement. As High Sheriff, she will support their efforts in providing this very valuable service to the community. Janie is particularly interested in art, especially contemporary pictures, sculpture and portraiture and is the Marketing Director of Fine Art Commissions. Janie speaks French and loves good food and entertaining, but not cooking!
Pro-Action Trustee
Paul Cherry
Paul became a Trustee of Pro-Action having been High Sheriff of Hertfordshire in 2008/9. He was a former member of Herts Association of Boys Clubs when a boxing gym/youth Club was built in Stevenage in memory of his Grandfather in 1989.
He has been Chairman of the gym since then. Paul is a Trustee of the St Albans Fabric fund committee, and is on the advisory council of the Herts Conmmunity Foundation, which is an organisation which collects and distributes charitable donations within the County.
Paul Farms near Stevenage,where he has worked for over 25 years. The farm is committed to sustainable methods of farming, and also produces beef which is sold locally through farmers markets.
Pro-Action Trustee
Dave Green
Dave is the Youth Officer for the Church of England in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire & North Barnet known as St Albans Diocese. As part of this role he has always tried to work in partnership with other youth organisations and is committed to the aims of Pro-Action.
Married with 2 adult children Dave has lived in Hertfordshire for 13 years prior to that having been in Norfolk and Warwickshire. Dave has been involved in youth work all his adult life both as a volunteer and from his mid 20’s as an employed youth worker. This has included working at a residential youth centre, international projects officer with The Boys’ Brigade and encouraging youth work in The Church of England.
Dave is totally committed to the values of voluntary youth work and will work with anyone to provide opportunities for young people to use their gifts and skills.
Pro-Action Trustee
Sue Cumming
As well as being a Pro-Action trustee Sue was also the Chief Executive of Herts Young Homeless Group. HYHG works with young people aged 16 – 25 years who are homeless or threatened with homelessness across Hertfordshire.
The organisation has grown in size and reputation to become recognised as one of the country’s most innovative operators in the field of tackling youth homelessness. This was recognised in 2008 when HYHG was awarded a major long term contract to provide Young Persons Prevention Services on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council and Supporting People. Until recently Sue was a member of the National Advisory Council of Homeless Link in London for four years.
Prior to joining HYHG, Sue was employed for over 20 years by Hertfordshire Youth Service and spent 2½ years co-ordinating a European funded project working with unemployed young people in four towns in the south east of England, as well as partners in Holland and Finland.
Pro-Action Trustee
Tom Lucock
Tom has been involved with youth provision since 1980. Tom first joined the Herts Association Boys Club when it was at a low ebb. However under the Chairmanship of EW Faure Walker and others the organisation made a successful recovery. This was largely due to successful sports based activities. Tom witnessed the Herts Association Boys Club amalgamated into the Herts Association Young People.
This was created with the County Council which provided good administrative support which helped the organisation to thrive. Last year the County Council offered us financial assistance to form Pro-Action with Herts Council Voluntary Youth Services.
Tom was a regular solider for 9 years and then became a stockbroker for 35 years, retiring in 1997. He lives in Barkway in North Herts, is married and has 14 grandchildren. Tom is the governor of the village school and an active member of the church. He is also concerned with the Royal British Legion and has an abiding interest in racing and county sports.