It's time to vote - Lawley Management Committee

We’ve recently invited residents to nominate themselves for the resident-led Lawley Management Committee (LMC). We’re delighted that six residents have put themselves forward, meaning this will be a contested election.

LVEMC has four places available, and you will shortly receive an information pack from our electoral partner, Mi-Voice, explaining how to vote. Voting can be completed either online or by post.

Details of the six candidates are provided below in alphabetical order. The deadline for voting is 21 June. You can also find out more about the role of the committee here

Oluwatosin Bakare

Let residents know about yourself, your background and any personal, work or voluntary interests you’re involved in     I’m an experienced IT professional with over 12 years of working across both the banking and engineering sectors. Throughout my career, I have developed strong problem-solving skills, a keen eye for detail, and a passion for using technology to improve systems and support people effectively. I hold a degree in Business Management (Commercial Law) as well as a Master’s in Public Health, and other professional certifications which have equipped me with a strong understanding of organisational structures, legal frameworks, and community wellbeing. Beyond my professional life, my faith plays a central role in who I am. I am a Christian, and together with my husband, we lead a church in Telford. This has given me the opportunity to serve the community, support individuals and families, and help create a welcoming and uplifting environment for people from all walks of life. I am particularly passionate about mentoring young people. I actively work with pre-teenagers, teenagers and youth, offering guidance, encouragement, and practical support to help them navigate challenges and reach their full potential. I find great fulfilment in bringing out the best in people, helping them build confidence, discover their strengths, and pursue their goals. I also dedicate time to mentoring and supporting women. I create safe and supportive spaces where we come together regularly for encouragement, mentorship, and prayer. I am especially passionate about helping women who struggle with low self-esteem, supporting them to build confidence, recognise their worth, and grow both personally, spiritually and in their career. In my free time, I enjoy connecting with others and investing in personal development. I value integrity, compassion, and collaboration, and I am always keen to contribute positively to the community around me.   Let residents know what you want out of this role? (perhaps you want to play an active role in your community or want to learn new skills) I am applying for a position on the Lawley Management Committee because I am passionate about playing an active and meaningful role in the community. I believe strong communities are built through collaboration, open communication, and a shared commitment to improving the environment for everyone. Through this role, I would like to contribute my skills, experience, and perspective to help support positive decision-making and ensure residents’ voices are heard. With my background as an IT professional, I can bring a structured, solution-focused approach to problem-solving, as well as support any initiatives that involve systems, communication, or process improvements. I am also keen to continue developing my skills, particularly in community leadership, governance, and teamwork. Being part of the committee would give me the opportunity to learn from others, understand different perspectives, and grow in my ability to serve effectively. Most importantly, I want to help foster a strong, inclusive, and supportive community where people feel valued and proud to live. I am committed to contributing positively, working collaboratively with others, and helping to bring out the best in the community as a whole.   Let residents know why they should vote for you, what you believe you can offer, and what relevant skills or experience you bring to the role.        I believe residents should vote for me because I bring a genuine commitment to serving the community, alongside a strong blend of professional expertise and people-focused experience. With over 12 years as an IT professional in the banking and engineering sectors, I have developed valuable skills in problem-solving, organisation, communication, and delivering effective solutions. I am detail-oriented, reliable, and able to approach challenges in a structured and practical way, qualities that are important for supporting the work of the Management Committee. In the past, I have also worked with vulnerable people, which has strengthened my empathy, patience, and ability to support individuals facing different life challenges. This experience has shaped my understanding of the importance of inclusion, safeguarding, and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard within the community. Beyond my professional background, I am deeply involved in community and voluntary work. Together with my husband, I lead a church in Telford, where I support individuals and families from diverse backgrounds. I am particularly passionate about empowering women, creating safe and supportive spaces where women can grow in confidence, share experiences, and support one another. Through mentorship, regular gatherings, and prayer, I help encourage personal growth, resilience, and a strong sense of community. I am also passionate about mentoring young people, helping them build confidence, develop life skills, and realise their potential. This reflects my wider commitment to bringing out the best in others and contributing positively to the community. If elected, I will be approachable, committed, and proactive. I will listen to residents’ concerns, represent their views fairly, and work collaboratively with others to help make our community an even better place to live. My goal is to contribute with integrity, transparency, and a strong sense of responsibility to everyone I serve, while fostering a community where everyone feels supported, included, and empowered.

James Haldron

Let residents know about yourself, your background and any personal, work or voluntary interests you’re involved in     I have lived in Lawley with my wife and two children since 2018. We enjoy living here and have watched our two children grow up here. As a family we often volunteer at events in and around the community. I have always volunteered from a very early age and have served on school PTAs and Governing Bodies, local community organisations and national bodies.   Let residents know what you want out of this role? (perhaps you want to play an active role in your community or want to learn new skills) I have served on the committee since it’s inception as a committee member and most recently as the Chair. My term is now coming to an end but I would like to continue to serve residents of Lawley by making sure that residents are put at the heart of any decision and that decisions that are made remain local decisions by local people. I know a lot of the history surrounding the Stewardship Service here in Lawley and it would be good to share that with new committee members moving forward and if I was elected would like to mentor any new members of the committee that come on board.   Let residents know why they should vote for you, what you believe you can offer, and what relevant skills or experience you bring to the role.        I have served on Lawley Management Committee since it began and have seen many positive changes and improvements over the years that benefit us the Lawley residents. I can bring a wealth of knowledge in terms of Governance and Finance to the committee. When I first moved here, the whole Stewardship service seemed to be a mystery, no one knew anything as it was all top secret. Now, the management committee meetings are open to anyone to attend online, and all committee papers and reports are available online for all residents to see. Removing a lot of the questions surrounding how our money was spent. We have our own dedicated team that solely serve Lawley residents and a fantastic community hub. It’s great to see residents popping in to speak to the team but more importantly getting to see all the local community groups make use of the space. Is everything in Lawley perfect? No, there is still so much to be done and I would like to be a part of that. The build in Lawley is nearing completion, scheduled for 2028 and I would like to stay on committee to see the end result of many years of dedication and hard work and see Lawley continue to go from strength to strength.

Martin Hough

Let residents know about yourself, your background and any personal, work or voluntary interests you’re involved in     I moved to Lawley in March 2025, after returning to the UK following 20 years living and working in Western Canada. Before emigrating, I grew up and lived in the East Midlands, so Telford and the surrounding area are new to me. My career has been in Financial Services, such as mortgages and investment management, but now I am semi-retired. I currently work part-time as an assistant at Lidl supermarket. In my days off I love hiking and exploring the beautiful and historic landscapes all around us. I am also interested in gardening and am in the process of creating a wildlife haven in our small new build garden. I have served as a board member for non-profit volunteer led societies for many years, including as the Treasurer of our local Museum in Canada, as well as Treasurer and Director of a local nature conservation society, and also as a volunteer Director of a cross country ski area. Since moving into the area, I have enjoyed getting involved locally by becoming a member of the Lawley Village Communications forum, through which I have learned more about BVT, it’s staff and members, and the work that is done on behalf of residents and tenants.   Let residents know what you want out of this role? (perhaps you want to play an active role in your community or want to learn new skills) I would like to join the Management Committee so that I can gain a deeper insight into the Community that I live in, and do my part to shape, or have a say in how things are run in the Community. I believe it’s important to give back some time and energy into things that are important to us, and where and how we live in a Community is very important!   Let residents know why they should vote for you, what you believe you can offer, and what relevant skills or experience you bring to the role.         I can offer experience of working with boards, comprising of people from diverse backgrounds, who each have a different viewpoint or opinion. I am level headed and generally a calm person who takes pride in researching all sides of an issue. I believe that critical thinking, good research and open mindedness are the keys to resolving many issues. I would be excited and honoured to be voted onto the committee and would do my best to understand represent the interests of all residents of Lawley Village.

Amit Parsan

Let residents know about yourself, your background and any personal, work or voluntary interests you’re involved in        I am a software engineer and I work from home, so I am able to oversee a lot of stuff on the run without having to wait for an appointment. Voluntary interests – Currently I am a snow warden for my locality. I am also interested in old age support.   Let residents know what you want out of this role? (perhaps you want to play an active role in your community or want to learn new skills)            I want to be part of the community and in the process learn new skills.   Let residents know why they should vote for you, what you believe you can offer, and what relevant skills or experience you bring to the role.          Since moving into the property I purchased, I faced quite some issues and found that there was a gap between the builder and BVT communication. So I feel that the resident voice needs to be represented. I also feel that few things should be managed by council instead of the BVT as part of the council tax we pay.

James Raybone

Let residents know about yourself, your background and any personal, work or voluntary interests you’re involved in     My professional background is in law, currently running my own business as a Will writer. I have completed both a law degree and a master’s degree and have worked within the legal field for many years. Alongside this, I also previously owned and ran a live music venue, which gave me valuable experience in managing people, organising events, and handling the day-to-day responsibilities of running a busy operation. I have also been actively involved in community life. I previously ran the residents’ group for an apartment block of 181 properties, where I supported tenants with a variety of issues, from practical day-to-day matters to resolving neighbour concerns. In my free time, I am a member of the Telford Steam Railway, which reflects my interest in heritage and community-based projects. I enjoy being involved in something that brings people together and contributes positively to the wider community. Let residents know what you want out of this role? (perhaps you want to play an active role in your community or want to learn new skills) I would like to take on this role to play an active and constructive part in representing residents and contributing to how the community is managed and developed. Having previously run a residents’ group for a large apartment complex, I understand the importance of listening to a wide range of views and ensuring that residents feel heard and fairly represented. I am particularly interested in helping to bring that “resident voice” into discussions, while also supporting practical and balanced decision-making. I am keen to contribute to the oversight of services and standards within the community, ensuring they are delivered effectively and represent good value for residents. With my background in running a business and experience in accounts and organisation, I am comfortable reviewing information, asking questions where needed, and helping ensure decisions are well considered. I also enjoy working collaboratively and would welcome the opportunity to help organise community events that bring residents together and strengthen the sense of community. Alongside this, I am happy to support initiatives that improve communication, resolve issues, and contribute positively to the area. Overall, I see this role as an opportunity to use my existing skills while continuing to develop myunderstanding of community governance and working as part of a committee to make a positive impact. Let residents know why they should vote for you, what you believe you can offer, and what relevant skills or experience you bring to the role.        Residents should vote for me because I bring a combination of practical experience, strong people skills, and experience of representing residents effectively. As I run my own business, I am used to dealing with responsibility, understanding detail, and making balanced, well-informed decisions. I also have experience managing accounts and reviewing information critically, which is important when considering budgets and services within the community. Alongside this, I have hands-on experience of representing residents, having previously run a residents’ group for a large apartment block of 181 properties. In that role, I regularly supported residents with a wide range of issues and worked to resolve concerns in a fair and practical way. This has given me a strong understanding of how to listen, communicate clearly, and represent different viewpoints. I am approachable, organised, and comfortable speaking with people from all backgrounds. I am confident contributing to discussions, asking the right questions, and working collaboratively to reach sensible outcomes. In addition, I would actively support community initiatives, including helping to organise events that bring residents together and strengthen the sense of community. Overall, I believe I offer a balanced approach—someone who will listen, engage, and contribute constructively to ensure the community is well represented and continues to develop in a positive way.

Nina Yiannoukos-Benton

Let residents know about yourself, your background and any personal, work or voluntary interests you’re involved in            I am a mother of three and have been proud to call Lawley home since 2020. I work full-time within the water industry, specialising in environmental management, which has given me a strong interest in protecting and enhancing our green spaces and supporting a sustainable local environment for families. Living in this wonderful community, I feel strongly about preserving its sense of connection and belonging for everyone who lives here. I currently volunteer alongside my husband as a Scout leader with Lawley Scouts, where our son is also a member. I have also worked with Lynn from BVT to help establish the community’s first Baby Loss Awareness Week memorial, following the loss of my young son—an experience that has strengthened my commitment to supporting others and fostering a compassionate, inclusive community.   Let residents know what you want out of this role? (perhaps you want to play an active role in your community or want to learn new skills)           I am keen to take a more active role in supporting our wonderful community and helping to ensure that our local area remains a beautiful and welcoming place to live. I also see this role as an opportunity to develop new skills and broaden my experience while contributing positively to the area.   Let residents know why they should vote for you, what you believe you can offer, and what relevant skills or experience you bring to the role.         I would be grateful for your support. As a committed family person, I place strong importance on community spirit and the wellbeing of local residents. I am particularly passionate about protecting and enhancing our green spaces so they can be enjoyed by everyone, now and in the future. With my background in environmental management, I bring both the knowledge and practical skills needed to help maintain and improve our local environment. I am dedicated to ensuring that Lawley continues to be a thriving, welcoming community for all neighbours, both young and old.