Who we are

Marcus Solanki has lived in Leicester for 51 years, 43 of which has been in service as a clinician with the NHS in the community. He is an eminent specialist in mental health issues both as a therapist and advisor. He is a member of the Council of Faiths and leader of the Gujrati Christians in Leicester. Marcus has received many awards including an investiture as Member of the British Empire (MBE). He is also a member of the Police Advisory Board.

Bishop Martyn became the seventh Bishop of Leicester in May 2016. He moved to Leicester from Gloucester where he had been Bishop of Tewkesbury since 2013. He is also the lead Bishop for Lay Ministry in the Church of England, taking a proactive role in the development of a wide range of ministry from licensed roles such as Readers and Pioneers, to youth and children and families’ workers.

Councillor Bhupen Dave was born and educated in Uganda before coming to the UK in 1972 with his parents. He studied at the University of Bristol and gained a BSc in Economics and then continued with his post graduate studies at the University of Southampton. He joined Leicestershire County Council as a qualified social worker and later joined Leicester City Council, from where he retired as Director of Community Care. Cllr Dave has a long career in politics and served as a city councillor from 1983 to 1995 when he represented Highfields and later Belgrave Wards. He was Deputy Leader of the City Council for many years and has chaired and vice chaired almost all of the Council’s committees which has given him a vast knowledge of many of the of Council’s services. He has also served as a local councillor for Oadby & Wigston Borough Council from 2012 to 2019. He was re-elected to the city council in May 2023 and now represents Rushey Mead Ward.

Tony is Chairman of the Trustees. A former Civil Servant he retired in 2004 having spent my career in senior positions in what was the Inland Revenue. Since then, he has devoted himself to voluntary work in the interfaith field. He has served as President of the Leicester Hebrew Congregation from 1987 to 1990 and is currently a member of the Management Committee with responsibility for all interfaith matters.

David has combined both a military and civilian career. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve and full time Marketing Executive with the WPP Group PLC working across the world. He is currently Chairman of Leicestershire and Rutland Committee of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, the Army’s national charity. He is also a trustee of The Leicester & Leicestershire Memorial Foundation and a Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of the County.

John is a retired HR and Corporate Affairs Manager, together with 20 years Territorial Army service. As former Chairman of SSAFA, Leicestershire, he has lived in Oadby since 1982 and have been both Chairman and Trustee of the North Memorial Homes with 15 years of service. He current sits as Vice Chairman

Jan currently work for the Church of England in a community outreach role and having lived in Oadby for over 20 years. She has been involved in many voluntary action projects in the borough. From an Armed Forces family, Jan acts as the Bishop’s representative for the trustees. As such she provides the Bishop of Leicester with regular updates on the North Memorial Homes as one of his principal charities. She regards her current role with the Homes as a great honour

Louise is a local girl having lived in Oadby for most of her life. She has served as a trustee for 10 years. She is a trained solicitor and has used her knowledge to help shape the North Memorial Homes for the future, so the residents can continue to enjoy their community and be proud of where they live.

A former Lord Mayor and Leicester Councillor for 24 years, Gary is Chair of Design for Architecture and Planning for the East Midlands. He also a member of the Diocese Advisory Committee and member of the East Midlands Reserved Forces and Cadets Association. He is also a non-executive director of regional development agency EMDA