Speakers | Rotary Bradford Show

Conference Speakers

Adventurer Jasmine Harrison - "Jasmine’s Mini Globe Race"

Jasmine is a British adventurer (and a member of Thirsk Rotary club) who loves to travel and tackle new challenges. She achieved world-wide recognition in 2021 when aged 21 years, she became the youngest solo female to row the Atlantic Ocean in 70 days, proving that age, gender and background are no barrier to a positive mindset. She is keen to encourage everyone to be self-reliant and if someone wants to take on a personal challenge of any level, then they should just do it! In 2022 Jasmine became the first female and only the third person to swim the full length of the British Isles from Land's End to John O'Groats, 900 niles in 110 days. She is a keen advocate for ocean health.

At the time of going to press, Jasmine is participating in the The McIntyre Mini Globe Race (MGR), a world-first, single-handed, round-the-world sailing race featuring amateur sailors in 5.8-meter (19 ft) plywood yachts. The race covers 28,000 miles in five legs via a westerly route and takes roughly 400 days to complete, starting and finishing in the Caribbean.

Kim Leadbeater MBE MP - "My journey into politics"

Kim has been the Member of Parliament for Spen Valley since 2024, previously the Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen from 2021. Spen Valley is the area where Kim was born and brought up, and where she has lived all her life. And it is now her privilege to represent everyone from the area she has called home in Westminster.

Previously a lecturer in physical fitness, to more recently serving as an ambassador for the Jo Cox Foundation and head of the ‘More in Common’ community volunteer group in Batley and Spen, following the murder of her sister Jo Cox MP.

Kim is a proud Yorkshire woman, who has worked tirelessly to serve the community she loves.

Tim Marsden - "Huddersfield to

Ukraine Humanitarian Aid"

Huddersfield to Ukraine Humanitarian Aid is a community led group providing direct, practical support to people in Ukraine affected by the war.

Working with trusted networks, we raise funds and personally deliver vital aid to where it is most urgently needed.

The group is also supported by members of my own club, the Rotary Club of Adventurer's as well as various other clubs reflecting Rotary values of service above self, compassion, and taking action beyond borders. You can get an idea of what Tim does by looking at this YouTube video

Tim is a member of The Rotary Club of Adventurers and holds the Paul Harris Fellow award

Geoff Mackey - "A view from my Hummock"

Words to describe Geoff's life include ‘full’ and ‘varied'. Brought up on a small family farm in the bandit country of South Armagh, N. Ireland, his doctorate concerned the strategic business value of social networks, he first read biology in Liverpool and followed it with a range of post graduate qualifications in Health & Safety and management including a sleepless MBA.

Today he advises and consults to a wide range of strategic and tactical groups covering private, public and third sectors in arenas including science, communications, sustainability, environment and further education. Geoff has a range of trustee and directorships and is a Fellow of the Royal Soc of Chemistry, the Inst of Directors and the Inst of Sustainability & Environmental Professionals. He once won an award for his writing, and raises substantial charitable donations standing on his hind legs in public and talking…

Well known at the Rotary podium… Geoff has served three Districts, RIBI and RI in a wide range of posts. He is a Foundation benefactor, a GSE scholar, VSE team leader and Past Rotaract Chairman GB&I; he was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship in 2004 and in 2005 was honoured to receive an RI Service Above Self Award. He wrote the back page in the Rotary magazine…and joined the board of Rotary GB&I in 2025.

He lives with his long suffering wife Luisa and their two sons, Alexander (20) and Nicolas (17) in rural Staffordshire and enjoys a full life to the full.….

Philip Wilbourn - “TO CSR OR ESG THAT IS THE QUESTION”

Or put another way how Rotary can put the “P” into ESG!! Philip is leading a Cluster Project for which we have drawn down £16000 from NorthStar designed to enable Rotary to re-engage with business. How are we going about this?

Philip Wilbourn is a Chartered Environmental Surveyor and one of the leading experts on the relationship between the values of all forms of property and how these are affected by Climate Change and other environmental existential risks. Based in Doncaster his practice acts for global investment companies and investors. During his professional career Philip has spoken at numerous conferences and CPD events across the UK and the world on the effect on development and investment from environmental risk. In addition to being the author of global guidance for RICS, he has published numerous articles in many professional journals and other media including The One Show, Sky News, BBC New, Channel 4 Despatches, You and Yours, and so on.

In March/April 2011 Philip walked the Inca Trail, Peru with a group from the RICS raising £9,500 for Weston Park Cancer Charity. The group of 15 raised £76,000 for good causes. On 17thJuly 2021, he undertook a MacMillan Mighty Hike in memory of those who have succumbed to cancer raising £3500. In addition to his hill walking activities, he is a former Private Pilot, Rugby Union referee and supports Championship Rugby Union side Doncaster Knights. He is also President of the Doncaster Knights Rotary Club for 2025/27 and was a Rotary International appointed District Governor in 2024/25. He was made a Paul Harris Fellow in 2023.

Moin Ashraf - Cricketer - Q&A session

Moin Ashraf is a former professional cricketer and current coach who has transitioned from a successful career with Yorkshire CCC & Northamptonshire CCC to becoming a dedicated mentor for the next generation of players.

A right-arm fast-medium bowler from Bradford, Ashraf's career spanned from 2008 to 2017. He is best remembered for his impact at Yorkshire County Cricket Club, where he was part of two County Championship-winning squads, whilst also winning the Twenty20 Blast with Northamptonshire.

His breakthrough came in 2012, a standout summer where he led Yorkshire’s T20 attack alongside Mitchell Starc. That season, he took 15 wickets in the T20 Blast, including that of current England captain Ben Stokes, helping Yorkshire reach the final in Cardiff and qualify for the Champions League in South Africa. During his career, he faced legendary figures such as Sachin Tendulkar, James Anderson and Rohit Sharma.

Founding The MACC Academy

After retiring from professional cricket, Ashraf founded The MACC Academy in 2023. The academy is designed to bridge the gap between club cricket and the professional game, focusing on players aged 9–18.

Key Initiatives & Mission:

Accessibility and Inclusion: A cornerstone of the academy is its scholarship scheme, which provides high-performance coaching to talented youngsters from underprivileged backgrounds. This initiative is personal to Ashraf, who grew up in inner-city Bradford without access to private coaching.
Geographic Reach: In recent years, the academy's reach has expanded exponentially with 15 academy locations across the North of England including Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Leeds, Hull, York, Oldham, Blackburn, Sheffield, Scarborough, Harrogate, Skipton and more.
Holistic Development: Ashraf emphasises "transferable skills," aiming to help young people reach their potential both on the pitch and in the workplace by teaching professional discipline and mindset.
Elite Opportunities: The academy provides unique experiences, such as regional and national tours to Netherlands and Dubai as well as playing opportunities against major and minor counties.

Jane Hewitt - An introduction to the work of the LimbBo Foundation

The LimbBo Foundation - a Barnsley based charity working to support children with a limb difference.

Giving an insight into life with a limb difference and how we are working to raise awareness and increase inclusivity.

Jane was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow Award by Stainborough Rotary Club

Professor Fiona Macaulay - Rotary and the challenges of peace in today's world

Fiona Macaulay is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Peace Studies and International Development at the University of Bradford where she held the chair in Gender, Peace and Development and was Director of the Rotary Peace Centre.

She is a specialist on Brazil and Latin America in the areas of human rights, the influence of civil society on policy-making, and effective approaches to reduction of violence against women. She led Amnesty International's work on human rights in Brazil and has experience in running several small NGOs, including PeaceJam UK, which works with Nobel Peace prize winners to inspire young people to be changemakers. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Adventurers.

Sonja Woodcock - Good Food for All

What is ‘good’ food and how can we ensure that everyone benefits?

Sonja has coordinated FoodWise Leeds, the city’s sustainable food partnership, since its inception in 2017. With a strong commitment to cross-sectoral collaboration, she applies a systems-based approach towards improving community food security, expanding urban agriculture, and driving awareness and action around food and the climate and nature emergency. She works closely with partners across Leeds to monitor and deliver the Leeds Food Strategy and Good Food Action Plan (2023-30). Sonja has a longstanding interest in public procurement as a lever for food system transformation and collaborates with colleagues at the University of Leeds on action research in this area. She also works at a regional level with food partnership colleagues across West Yorkshire and is a member of the North Pulses Collaboration. Within the national Sustainable Food Places Network, she is an active contributor and recently supported the development of a strategic framework for representation and justice across the network.

Chrissy Sykes - Building Safer Futures for Every Child with MBIMB Foundation

Chrissy will explore how “Reach for the Stars” can become real, practical action through the My Body Is My Body (MBIMB) Programme, using music, simple child-safe language, and community delivery to help prevent abuse and help more children to speak up and get help. She’ll share how Rotary can help reach more children, faster, by building a “constellation” of safe adults around schools and families — strengthening trust, connection, and protective networks that support Positive Peace through strong community foundations.

Shamza Butt BEM - My journey and dreams

Shamza is a 22-year-old Asian woman from Bradford whose journey embodies resilience, service, and the power of determination. She became the youngest recipient of the British Empire Medal (BEM)

Arriving in the UK at the age of 14 with limited English, Shamza quickly adapted, learning the language and building a life grounded in ambition, hard work, and community contribution.

Her dedication to public service and youth leadership has been nationally recognised. In the year of her BEM award, Shamza was named a Coronation Champion and a Community Award Hero, recognising her outstanding impact and commitment to supporting others. She currently serves as a police officer, balancing frontline responsibility with ongoing community engagement, and speaks multiple languages, enabling her to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

Shamza has represented young people on some of the most significant national occasions of recent times. She attended the Coronation of His Majesty The King, The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, and has also been invited to 10 Downing Street, representing the voice of young people in Britain today.

Proud of her roots and her journey, Shamza is passionate about inspiring young people—particularly women from under-represented communities—to believe in their potential. Her story is proof that age, gender, language, or background are no barriers to impact, leadership, or service, and she hopes to encourage others to take on challenges of their own.

Amar Farooq - The importance of self-discipline for personal development and safety

A 20-year-old emerging talent, demonstrating remarkable dedication to the sport of boxing. Motivated by an enduring commitment to excellence, he is preparing to enter the professional arena with the goal of making a significant impact in the boxing world. Throughout his early career, Amar has established a strong record, earning multiple accolades and titles that reflect his skill and perseverance.

Originally from Bradford, Amar has achieved notable success on both local and regional levels, securing four Yorkshire championship titles. These accomplishments underscore his position as an influential athlete within the region and exemplify his disciplined approach to training and competition.

As an accomplished representative for Yorkshire in national boxing competitions, Amar’s performance as a national finalist demonstrates both his technical ability and consistent dedication. With a clear aspiration to progress as a professional boxer, he is poised to contribute meaningfully to the sport’s legacy.

Beyond his achievements in the ring, Amar is actively involved in mentoring youth within his community. He regularly offers guidance in the gym and boxing ring, emphasizing the importance of self-discipline for personal development and safety. Amar is prepared to share insights into his journey, detailing both the origins and ongoing evolution of his boxing career. His commitment to pursuing excellence encompasses not only personal ambition but also a resolve to positively influence those around him.