Meet The Team

Chris Hallam
CEO
Having grown up in Chapeltown and High Green, with family still living here, working at HGDT feels like home for Chris.
Chris says "I am really excited about the future for the site and love that every day is different here. Meeting so many local people with a passion for the area is very rewarding.
Fun fact : In his spare time Chris coaches basketball which has taken him to over 30 European countries.

Gail Sutton
Campus Manager
Gail joined the HGDT team in October 2021 tasked with transforming The Campus into a welcoming yet professional environment for the public and its occupants alike. She is enjoying seeing HGDT expand community presence and initiatives.
Fun fact : For the first year of her life Gail lived in a caravan in the field behind The Crossfield Tavern with her mum and dad.

Claire Price
Finance Manager
Claire has enjoyed meeting the financial management challenges of a growing organisation since she joined The Society in 2018
When not managing the finances Claire enjoys walks in the woods, creative projects around the house and garden and throwing parties
Fun fact : Claire once spent one day working professionally as a mouse catcher. None were caught.

Lauren Sanderson
Community Engagement Manager
Lauren has worked and volunteered in the charity sector for almost a decade. Beginning her work at HGDT in September 2021 she is passionate about creating an inclusive and supportive environment to allow the ChapelGreen community to reach its full potential.
Fun fact : Lauren has seen Manchester band The Courteeners over 20 times, and has lost count of the total amount of gigs and concerts she has been to in her lifetime.

Michael Kimpton
Facilities Cleaning Services
Michael has worked at The Campus since January 2019 as a member of the facilities cleaning team.
He enjoys nature and wildlife and often walks through Westwood County Park in the summer months before starting work.

David Plotts
Trustee & Volunteer
David started as a trustee at HGDT in June 2021 and is excited to be leading the Community Garden and Allotment development project for the Trust.
David readily admits that he has very few, if any, growing and gardening skills so is looking forward to lots of local engagement from the community to help develop the site into something the whole community can be proud of.
Fun fact: David was born, raised, and educated in Perth, Australia before moving, at the age of 22, to the UK and Barnsley in 1989.