Board of Trustees

Councillor Aziz Ambia has been working within healthcare since 2010.

As the registered manager of Fusion Radiology (a company that provides private tele radiology services to the NHS and private clinics, including a clinic in Luton), he brings a breadth of health and wellbeing knowledge with him to Active Luton, which we are sure to utilise.  

In his spare time, Aziz is a very sociable individual, who loves cricket, and is passionate about supporting his community. He is also very interested in world politics and does his best to stay informed.

Aziz commented “I hope to make a positive impact with my work with Active Luton”.

Abdul serves as Chair of Active Luton’s Board of Trustees, bringing a wealth of experience in digital, finance, governance and organisational leadership. As the CEO of a charitable foundation, Abdul has a proven track record of overseeing strategic initiatives that strengthen community support and enhance access to vital services.

Abdul is an accomplished marathon runner with a passion for coaching and community development.

In his role as Chair, Abdul is committed to ensuring effective governance and fostering collaboration across Active Luton’s initiatives to support the organisation’s mission of promoting health, well-being, and inclusivity.

Femy has five years’ experience as a teacher and manager in the further education sector. Her role as an educator in local colleges has involved delivering vocational education programmes, running inspirational events for students to raise aspirations and improve academic attainment.

Femy is co-founder of the New Life Youth Club in London which worked to improve and enhance the lives of local youth through self-development workshops, inspirational programmes, and developing stronger relationships with families in order to help build a better community for the future.

Prior to this Femy worked in the Logistics sector for 16years overseeing the moving of commercial items globally.

Away from work Femy likes to skate and keep fit and has a keen interest in health-related matters such as nutrition and wellbeing. Femy also plays an active role in the church, specifically focusing her energy in the health department which works with the local community to enhance and promote good health.

Femy’s contribution to the Active Luton Board is to bring together her wealth of experience from logistics, the voluntary sector and education, to help contribute towards driving Active Luton forward.

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Glynis is an education consultant with extensive experience of providing advice and training for Physical Education and School Sport. She left her full-time role in 2011 to work independently after 14 years’ teaching and 20 years as PE Adviser to Bedfordshire County Council and then Central Bedfordshire Council.  She worked as an Ofsted Inspector for Secondary Physical Education for 15 years and has also undertaken inspections and consultancy for the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate. She has extensive knowledge of the Physical Education Curriculum and its assessment at all key stages. She has expertise in safe practice in PE, including working with expert witnesses and solicitors.

Her advisory role included managing the LA Educational Visits and Journeys online system, writing policy and monitoring schools’ compliance.

She had been a volunteer for 10 years with English Heritage at Wrest Park, where she spends every Monday working with the conservation and curatorial teams in the archaeology collection. She also volunteers at Bushmead Priory during the Summer months.

Glynis joined the Active Luton Board in 2017 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of the PE and Education sector. Her contribution to the AL Board lies with the Health and Safety Leadership Team and sub - committee. She is a Member for River Bank Primary School.

Helen is a former employee of Active Luton having spent six years working in the wellbeing team. 

Mostly working with children and families, she helped develop the provision of social prescription for children and young people and was team leader when the scheme was extended to cover areas further afield in Bedford and Milton Keynes. 

Helen has a degree in Sport, Health and Physical Education and is passionate about empowering others to lead healthier lifestyles and learn how to improve their physical, mental and emotional health.

In a voluntary capacity, Helen has over a decade's experience as a school governor, having been a chair of governors at both primary and secondary level. She was also a director of the trust established to build and open a new secondary school in Hertfordshire. Away from work, Helen enjoys yoga, walking her Great Dane and is currently learning to play golf.

Kevin was born and grew up in Luton and was a student at the University of Luton where he completed a degree in Computer Science and Management. Whilst completing his studies he set up his first business and subsequently took on roles within the media and advertising sector. He then moved into facilities management where he held several internationally-based senior executive roles encompassing IT and operations.

Kevin’s professional time is now spent undertaking interim roles within businesses and community organisations to help them resolve operational and IT-related challenges.

Kevin is very active within the local Luton community, where he has founded ABCD-in-Luton and promotes the Asset Based Community Development methodologies. He can often be found getting his hands dirty with gardening,and litter picking through the #KeepLutonTidy campaign.

Currently, he helps Active Luton with their IT Strategy, conducts monthly Health and Safety Workplace inspections and sits on the Finance and Risk subcommittee.

Mahmood migrated to the UK from Pakistan in August 1967having just graduated in Political Science. He initially worked in Darwen, Lancashire and made the move to Luton in 1969.

Mahmood worked at Vauxhall where he became actively involved in Trade Unions and the Labour Party. He became a Senior Shop Steward at Vauxhall and then became self-employed in 1973. He established his own private hire company in the 1980s with 65 drivers working for his company at one point. He continued to run his firm until 1999 when he was elected as a Luton Borough Councillor.

Mahmood has held various responsibilities within the Council and has chaired a number of committees. He has been a member of the Cabinet of the Council since 2005 and was Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care for a number of years. Mahmood is currently the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services and a member of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Mahmood has been a trustee of Active Luton for many years. He actively encourages the participation of adults and children in sport and physical activity. He is also a strong advocate of the work being undertaken to encourage BAME communities to participate in sport and leisure activities.  It was one of his ambitions to have an Olympic sized pool in Luton and he is extremely proud to have played an integral part in the team that developed Inspire: Luton Sports Village.

Mahmood enjoys walking and reading in his spare time.

Nicola is currently the Divisional CEO at Commercial Services Group, one of the biggest local authority trading companies in the country, owned by Kent County Council.  She leads a number of services from procurement and energy through to recruitment and landscape services.  

Prior to this, Nicola worked for Luton Council for over 20years in a range of senior leadership positions including Corporate Director of Customer and Commercial and Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy.  

Nicola is an Active Luton service user and avid swimmer and can be seen regularly ploughing up and down in the Inspire pool.

Philippe was appointed a Trustee in 2021. He was born in Belgium and came to live in Luton when he was two years old. Philippe has lived and worked in Luton ever since.

Prior to retirement Philippe worked for Luton Council as the Procurement Contracts Manager, and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing Supply. Philippe has been a serving Magistrate on the Bedfordshire Bench since 2008. He is also a Trustee and Secretary of Hatters Heritage, a small local charity.

Philippe is a regular user of the gym and swimming pool at Inspire: Luton Sports Village. He also enjoys travel and is a keen supporter of Luton Town Football Club.

Priya has considerable experience within Recruitment, Volunteering, Events Management and Employer Liaison.  She has been working for the University of Bedfordshire for several years and has a passion for helping and supporting students/graduates into employment.  She is actively involved in the community with her additional roles at Active Luton, Teams Beds and Luton and the recently developed Bedfordshire Skills Board.

Priya has a strong interest in culture and people and has completed a Masters in Intercultural Communication.  She has completed her undergraduate qualification in Business Studies and is always looking to learn and grow. Recently, she has completed Equality and Diversity and Digital Media courses.

Priya is a regular runner and has a keen in sports and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

She is adventurous, loves to travel and has climbed Mount Batur in Bali!  

She is contributing to Active Luton by representing the diverse community of Luton and by linking education to the sports industry.

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Wayne has worked in secondary education for over 20years.  In that time, he has taken on many leadership roles including Director of Specialism (PE),  Head of Year,  Assistant Head(assessment and reporting) and is currently Assistant Head (teaching, learning and training).

Wayne is a strong advocate for the young people in the town and their right to a brighter future. He is happiest when outdoors and enjoys playing golf, walking his dog, and mountain biking.  He also enjoys travelling, eating out and going to music concerts.