OPERATIONS TEAM

Ben McKenna
Ben McKennaChief Executive
Ben is a technologist who, besides founding Solidaritech, runs his own Digital Agency – Totaal. He has worked with open source technology for almost 20 years, having jumped on board the internet bandwagon at a very early stop.

Part designer, part developer and part frustrated artist, he’s previously worked in the civil service, for a selection of dotcom start-ups and the City of London’s financial sector.

In his spare time Ben is an incorrigible football nerd with a near encyclopedic knowledge of the work of Stanley Kubrick.

Chris Carlton
Chris CarltonHead of Tech Refurb
An IT industry veteran of almost 30 years, Chris runs Techie Fairy. There’s nothing she likes more than fixing machines that others have written off and making sure people aren’t left stranded without working tech.

Chris holds several recognised qualifications (CompTIA A+, City & Guilds, Cisco, Microsoft), and a 2:1 with Honours in IT from the OU. And, as a woman in a still very male-dominated sector, she enjoys proving people who think that women have no place in the tech sector wrong. In her spare time she likes to watch cop dramas, tennis, and live music.

Sue Hill
Sue HillFinance & Operations
Sue is a Business and Information Technology lecturer with 25 years experience in Education all over the UK and a passion for improving the holistic employability skills of students. At Solidaritech she helps devise and administer educational programmes as well as handling Solidaritech’s operations.

Her qualifications include Microsoft Certified Practitioner, a degree including programming and computer science elements and she also specialises in teaching students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia. In her spare time Sue likes to read, spend time with her family and indulge a longstanding fascination with David Bowie.

BOARD TEAM

Ivor Cheung
Ivor CheungTrustee
Ivor works for a major Leeds-based consultancy firm as an Associate IT consultant. He’s previously worked in Fintech, DevOps and also has experience in design and production of iPhone applications.

Ivor has a passion for IT, is powered by coconuts and fuelled by Cream Soda. Described by many as a tech enthusiast on steroids, he is deeply into weightlifting, open source technology and anything with an Apple logo on it.

Vicky Ledwidge
Vicky LedwidgeTrustee
Vicky is Integration and Partnerships Officer for Migration Yorkshire. She has 20 years’ experience of running charities and major projects, holds a Masters qualification in Business Improvement and Contract Management, and is passionate about supporting marginalised people.

She’s also worryingly obsessed with Welsh rugby and her little dog.

Jon Beech
Jon BeechTrustee
Jon is Director of Leeds Asylum Seekers Support Network. Before this he worked in community development and spent time as a manager in a variety of mental health and homelessness organisations.

In his spare time he provides IT support to his family, argues the toss with people on twitter and tinkers with all manner of new and reclaimed technology.

Robert Ling
Robert LingTrustee
Robert Ling is Assistant Director for Technology and Change at North Yorkshire County Council where he leads of the ICT function across the council. He previously worked for Local Partnership as a Project Director specialising in Digital Exploitation and Broadband Delivery UK. Prior to this Robert worked at Yorkshire Forward, focusing on programmes in increasing business performance through Supply Chain development, ICT Exploitation, and Sustainable Development.
Helen Jacklin
Helen JacklinTrustee
Helen works in education in West Yorkshire, having previously worked in economic development and new media advertising. She’s currently studying for Management Accounting qualifications and manages multimillion pound budgets as well as HR, Safeguarding and infrastructure projects. Helen has a degree in Film, Television and Drama as well as qualifications in Business Management and Project Management.