Meet the Sale Sharks Foundation Trustees
At the heart of the Sale Sharks Foundation is a passionate and committed Board of Trustees who guide and support our mission to use the power of sport to create lasting change across the North West. Our trustees bring a wealth of experience, insight, and integrity to the Foundation, helping to ensure we remain impactful, inclusive, and aligned with our core values. Their strategic oversight, governance and dedication play a vital role in shaping our programmes, strengthening our partnerships, and holding us to the highest standards as we deliver life-changing work in our communities.
Andy Watson – Chair of Trustees
In addition to being Chair of Trustees at Sale Sharks Foundation, Andy chairs the board of Canada Life Limited, and is a trustee of Brathay Trust.
Previously, Andy was CEO at Ageas UK for more than 7 years, and has held senior positions at, amongst others, Cooperative Insurance and Direct Line. He is a highly experienced professional with a successful track record and has operated at board level for many years.
Andy is a graduate of Oxford University and a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries.
Andy’s decades-long involvement with rugby has been as a player of limited ability, an enthusiastic but equally limited mini-junior coach, and continues as a supporter.
Michelle Orange – Sale Sharks Co-Owner
Michelle Orange has been a co-owner of Sale Sharks since 2016 and a trustee of the Sale Sharks Foundation since 2017.
Outside rugby, Michelle is a Core Funder for the Royal Foundation, a supporter of Place2Be and BAFTA and investor in Altrincham FC.
Natasha Hanson – HR
Natasha Hanson is a People Leader, qualified as an executive to Fellow CIPD and as a Non-Executive to Level 7 (Masters) through the prestigious Financial Times certification programme. Her industry background has focused on building and civil engineering, aerospace, nuclear decommissioning and rail. She currently works in People and Culture for a global SaaS, WMS/TMS/OMS business, Infios, part of the Koerber Group.
With more than 30 years post qualification senior leadership experience operating as Trusted Advisor and Coach to C Suite and Board level, Natasha is skilled in optimising business performance through effective change linked to values and behaviours while specialising in Talent Development and Retention, Succession Planning and Employee Relations.
Outside her executive work, Natasha has been on NHS Boards, Chaired Nuclear Industry Compensation Committees on Mortality and Morbidity and volunteers internationally, teaching English on programmes that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Peter Rhodes – Law & RFU
Peter Rhodes has been involved in rugby for more than 40 years. First as a player for Chester RUFC and then as a captain of one of the lower teams. Over the years he held roles at Chester as Club Secretary, Treasurer, and President.
Served as Secretary and President of Cheshire RFU and legal advisor who also served on the RFU disciplinary panel. Currently the President of the North West Leagues (Halbro)
A retired non practicing solicitor who held various post in local government and retired as Head of Law and Administration for Liverpool City Council. Following which he served as President of the Liverpool Law Society.
Peter enjoyed rugby so much that he resolved to give something back to the game by becoming a Trustee of the Foundation.
Steve Newton – Finance
Steve Newton is an ACCA-qualified accountant with more than 15 years of experience spanning the Insurance, FMCG, Media, Energy, and Facilities Management sectors. Currently serving as Global Finance Director at Sodexo, he leads international commercial strategy on major global contracts.
A trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, Steve has a strong track record in driving growth, cost transformation, and strategic financial leadership.
In addition to his executive role, he is a certified Level 5 Business Coach, actively mentoring professionals across a range of functions.
Jon Brookstein – Programme Development & Commercial
Jon Brookstein is a Leadership Consultant and Coach with experience in both sport and business. Following a degree in Sport Science he has worked in people development and leadership ever since, through spells in local authority sport, the RFU, lecturing, British Universities & Colleges Sport, Premiership Rugby and most recently a Leadership Consultancy, Fieri. Jon is experienced at balancing the expectations of commercial partners and funders with the needs of programme beneficiaries to deliver sustainable, measurable impact.
Having started rugby coaching at the age of 16, he has almost 30 years of experience, currently involved with his local Sussex club, Pulborough RFC and is passionate about rugby’s power to transform lives and forge lasting relationships.
Kelly Gordon – Programme Development & Strategy
Kelly Gordon is a strategic leader in sport and physical activity, passionate about creating inclusive systems that help people and communities thrive. With experience at Sport England, England Netball, and PwC, she brings expertise in sport development, behaviour change, and system leadership. As Executive Lead for NETBALLHer, she drives change around female health and engagement.
Through her consultancy KGSport, she’s supported organisations including Women in Sport, Active Cheshire, The FA, and RFL. Kelly’s motivation to become a Trustee is both professional and personal; as a parent of a rugby-playing son, she’s seen sport’s power to build confidence, connection, and community.
Mercedes Antrobus – Marketing & Communications
Mercedes is a PR and communications specialist with a wealth of experience delivering impactful marketing and communications strategies across the sport and placemaking sectors. She spent five years at Manchester City FC in various marketing communications roles, including leading the communications strategy for the Club’s women’s team. She is now part of the PR team at the English Football League, focusing on communicating the League’s ED&I, Sustainability, and Youth Development strategies using authentic storytelling to engage supporters and national media. As a Trustee of Sale Sharks Foundation, Mercedes supports the team with valuable marketing and communications expertise rooted in a shared commitment to inspire positive change across communities in the North West.
Rob Briers – RFU
Rob has been a Trustee since 2011 and was previously a member of the Sale Sharks Academy Steering Group.
He has been involved in rugby for more than 60 years as a player, coach and administrator. Rob played for West Park St Helens and represented Lancashire, North West Counties and England U23s.
Administratively, he has held several positions at his club and Lancashire County Rugby and served on the Council and Board of the RFU for 20 years, becoming President in 2023/24.
Rob states: “In my time as a Trustee, I have seen the Foundation go from strength to strength with the introduction of many initiatives which have had a positive impact on the community in the region.”
Lorraine Godkin – Safeguarding & Education
Lorraine Godkin is a NASEN qualified Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator with more than 20 years experience working in the adult and community education sector. Recently retired Lorraine specialised initially in working with adults with dyslexia and other neuro diverse needs. More recently Lorraine was a curriculum manager for High Needs and developed lasting partnerships with a range of agencies to provide the young people with access to enrichment activities, including sport, team building and exercise.
Lorraine was also the Designated Safeguarding Lead for a major adult education provider. Both as the Safeguarding Lead and as the Curriculum Manager for High Needs she led her team through a recent successful Ofsted Inspection.
