Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale elect new Chairman

Date published: 10 June 2008

Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale have elected a new chairman for their 25th anniversary year.

Richard Tang, Managing Director of Zen Internet, is the new chairman, taking over from Jacqueline Rosebury, who will remain on the board.

Mr Tang said: "I am delighted to have been appointed as the new Chairman of Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale, which is a charity with very worthy objectives."

Groundwork offers a range of programmes to the Oldham and Rochdale communities, including landscape and conservation work, business support schemes, education and community activity, ‘Youth Works’, the ‘Prince’s Trust’ volunteer programme, employment and work based programmes and training including basic skills and construction.

Mr Tang continued: "I am looking forward to helping them improve the environment in the neighbourhoods of Oldham and Rochdale, creating opportunities for people to learn new skills and assisting businesses and individuals to fulfil their potential.

"It is now my responsibility to make sure we achieve those objectives to the maximum extent possible and I am relishing this challenge not least due to the huge enthusiasm and commitment of the staff and volunteers."

Cliff Ellison, who became Executive Director of Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale in August 2007 said: "I worked closely with Richard over several years during my time in Rochdale and know that he has the vision, skills (including people skills) and experience to help take this organisation forward so that it is having far more beneficial impact on the communities of the Oldham and Rochdale boroughs."

During the last year Groundwork Oldham & Rochdal Was actively involved with 121 schools, improved 148,471m2 of land and maintained 211,453m2 of land and supported 329 businesses.