Liverpool’s Calderstones Mansion House CIC welcomes three new members to its board of directors

Jamiejohn Anderson, Executive Director of Operations at National Museums Liverpool, Andrea Nixon, former Executive Director of Tate Liverpool, now an independent cultural consultant, and Liam Black, a social entrepreneur and author, have been appointed to help national Shared Reading charity The Reader grow through its social enterprises. 

Andrea is a highly experienced executive director and cultural consultant. Clients include the Old Vic Theatre London, The Box Plymouth, English National Ballet, MIMA, Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust, Punchdrunk Engagement, Hull Truck Theatre, Manchester Craft and Design Centre and the Donmar Warehouse. 

She is currently Chair of the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatres and a Trustee of Harewood House Trust and was awarded the MBE for services to the arts in 2019. 

Liverpool-born Jamiejohn, who has been based at the National Museums Liverpool for three years, is a commercial venue operator with more than 20 years' experience across the UK, Australia and Asia. He worked in Scotland for 10 years prior at companies including St Andrews – Home of Golf, the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow (Levy UK) and Heritage Portfolio, Edinburgh. 

Liam’s portfolio as a business leader includes CEO of Liverpool's FRC Group and the Jamie Oliver Group in London; founder of leadership development company Wavelength; Executive Chairman with the global mental health platform Togetherall and The Conduit, a hospitality business with clubs in the UK and Scandinavia.  

He also mentors and advises senior leaders and social entrepreneurs in a range of sectors; and has written several books on leadership and social change, most recently How To Lead With Purpose (2023). 

Jemma Guerrier, Managing Director at The Reader, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jamiejohn, Andrea and Liam – three people who are passionate about driving social impact through social enterprise - to our CIC Board.  

“Their extensive expertise and strong leadership will be instrumental as we evolve and expand our offerings. Following the 2024 Budget there are new financial pressures on UK charities which is why The Reader’s social enterprises are so important.  

“The CIC enables us to generate unrestricted income independently, enabling us to support and diversify the work that we do in communities across Liverpool City Region. 

“Our social enterprises also offer meaningful and ethical employment opportunities, particularly for those who may find it difficult to enter the job market. Crucially, the businesses also provide a way in for people to discover our mission and the Shared Reading groups and community wellbeing activities that we run across the Liverpool City Region.” 

The new directors join chair Anita Marsland, former Chief Executive of NHS Knowsley and Chief Officer at Knowsley Council; Phillip Davies, former Labour Leader of Wirral Council (2012 to 2019); Sarah Fletcher, Director of Finance & Operations at Alder Hey Children’s Charity; Pranav Sood, VP International Expansion at UK-based FinTech GoCardless, and Virginia Hopton, Director of Finance and IT at The Reader, on the board. 

A Community Interest Company (CIC) is a special type of limited company which exists to benefit the community. 

In the last year the Calderstones Mansion House CIC generated £1.5m in revenue from its onsite social enterprise businesses at the charity’s home in South Liverpool – an independent bookshop, two cafes, The Storybarn and Ice Cream Parlour, as well as a thriving events business. 

All profits are reinvested into The Reader’s work as a charity providing free Shared Reading groups where people connect and share experiences using stories and poems. There are currently 430 community Shared Reading groups across the UK – 118 of which are in the Liverpool City Region. 

Anton Clarke, The Reader’s Director of Social Enterprise, said: “Currently we are a venue-based organisation at Calderstones Park in South Liverpool. Our vision is to create a portfolio of social enterprise units across the Liverpool City Region to increase our impact in communities who could benefit from our work. 

“We want to grow our ability to offer opportunities to those who need them most – and provide jobs with purpose, connection and respect. With Jamiejohn, Andrea and Liam’s combined experience and fresh perspectives, we are well-positioned to scale up.”