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Spirit of Manchester Awards 2023 judges

Our Judging Panel

Jez Myers

Jeremy Myers

Jeremy ‘Jez’ Myers is, by his own admission, not a writer. A recipient of Manchester City Council’s ‘Pride of Manchester’ Award and the Chairperson for the Spirit of Manchester Awards, the passionate Mancunian has often found himself championing the people of his beloved city and its surrounding areas. Whether writing in local papers or shouting about things online, Jez has a knack for rallying support around his community and doing what he can for others.

After meeting partner Maria Romanenko, a Ukrainian journalist, in 2020, Jez was set to leave Manchester for Kyiv. However, after fleeing Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine, Jez has thrown his full support behind the people of Ukraine through a variety of volunteering projects. The story of the escape has been featured, in part, in over one hundred major media outlets around the world and has gathered tens of millions of views.  

Jez has been Chairperson of the Awards for the last decade, an honour which he doesn’t take likely. Jez considers it to be an absolute privilege to sit with the other judges and read over the many nominations, often from the absolute unsung heroes of the community, which frequently leave him awe struck.

Despite his protestations, Jez continues to write and should have a book published in 2024.

Robert Nieri

Robert Nieri

I was born and bred in south Manchester before moving away to university and then around the country for work and only returned to the North West in 2018. When I did I felt I was finally back home. I am a charity lawyer with Shoosmiths, a national firm, working out of its Manchester office. I advise registered charities on legal, governance and regulatory issues, supporting them in their work and at all stages of their journey: establishing new charities, incorporating existing organisations and advising on collaboration or merger issues. I have a particular interest in how charities address ESG issues and how they can collaborate with the business sector for mutual benefit.

What do the Spirit of Manchester Awards mean to you?
Growing up in Manchester I had little sense of the city’s importance to the world and the achievements of which we can all be proud – aside from all the science breakthroughs, its history of protesting and campaigning, the birth of organisations like the RSPB and providing a home to the Co-operative movement. While the city centre has been transformed in my years away there is still so much to be done around the rest of the city to ensure everyone has can grow up, work and live well in their own communities. The voluntary and community sector leads the way and is the beating heart as well as the spirit of Manchester. I know the people being honoured by Spirit of Manchester are not motivated by receiving awards, but recognition is the least we owe those who selflessly serve others to make our city the best it can be.

Sarah Perkins
Sarah Perkins

I am a qualified accountant and have worked in the Health Service for 30 years, 26 of these in the North East.  I joined Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in January 2019 as Director of Operations for Manchester Royal Infirmary, following which I worked at Group level on Elective Recovery before joining Wythenshawe, Trafford, Withington and Altrincham (WTWA) as Deputy CEO, followed by Interim CEO in June 2022. I am married to Brian and enjoy travelling and sport, including being a keen Newcastle United supporter.

What do the Spirit of Manchester Awards mean to you?
Recognising the unsung heroes of the voluntary sector.

Nickala Torkington
Nickala Torkington

Nickala Torkington, is Founder and Managing Director of Flourish Together CIC a social innovation company and network which reinvests surpluses in supporting diverse women as a force for social change.  She has spent over 23 years directly supporting over 3000 social innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders to create and sustain change they see needed in communities across the UK – predominantly in the North West, and is also a social value specialist.

Listed on WISE100 in 2020, 2022  and 2023 as one of the top 100 women in social enterprise nationally, was awarded Woman of the Year in Social Enterprise in 2019 as part of the Inspiring Women Awards and won a Northern Power Women Award as Levelling Up Leader in 2023.

Elaine Unegbu
Elaine Unegbu

Elaine Unegbu has been a committed champion of Age-Friendly Work for many years and currently sits on the Age-Friendly Manchester Board. She is Chair of the Greater Manchester Older People’s Network Steering Group. Elaine also sits on the advisory boards of the Creative Ageing Development Agency and Ageing in Place in Cities research group. She has had a long and varied career in nursing, nurse management and nursing education in the Netherlands, England and Nigeria. She has also been Chair of Central Manchester Community Health Council, Non-executive Director of the Manchester Health Authority, a trustee for Age Concern and a Lay inspector with the Care Quality Commission.

Ben Watkins
Ben Watkins

Ben is aged 13 and in Year 8.  His favourite subject is Drama. He loves getting to participate in extra-curricular activities including Choir, Debate Mate and being involved in Drama Productions. His absolute favourite part about school is spending time with his friends! Ben is passionate about his community, disability awareness, giving the voiceless a voice and seeing change for the most vulnerable.  He loves being part of his church family, supporting Stockport County football team and hanging out with his friends.  He enjoys being a part of Media Cubs which is a non-profit organisation encouraging young people to develop their confidence and have their voice heard in the media.  He also loves theatre and acting and loves being part of his amazing drama group at Droylsden Little Theatre. One of his proudest achievements to date has been appearing on the BBC Breakfast red sofa but is hoping for many more media appearances in the years to come. He is honoured to be a part of this year’s judging panel and has loved hearing about all the amazing people and groups supporting their communities and coming up with innovative ideas to support those in need. Each and every one is an inspiration!