Chair: Heath Samples LLB (Hons)
Heath began his career in the Royal Air Force as an Air and Space Operations Specialist, completing tours in Europe and the Falkland Islands, before undertaking an LLB (Hons) degree in Law and Economics. He went on to serve in the Territorial Army (The Green Howards) where he attended Sandhurst and was selected for Officer Training.
With more than three decades of leadership experience across the games, retail, media, and technology sectors, Heath has held senior executive roles driving the development of online, mobile, Web2 and Web3 platforms, Artificial Intelligence applications, and blockchain-enabled products. He has led commercial, legal, compliance and development teams throughout his career. Alongside his business career, he serves as a Trustee at Saint Catherine’s Hospice.
Beyond his professional and charitable commitments, Heath is a qualified Royal Yachting Association Yachtmaster Ocean, a Private Pilot Licence holder, Royal Yachting Association Examiner and a BSAC Scuba Diving Instructor. He is also a Guinness World Record holder. These wide-ranging experiences reflect his passion for leadership, innovation, service, and adventure.”
Deputy Chair: Richard Boyes
Scarborough Business Partnership
Alison Hume MP
Alison is the MP for the Scarborough and Whitby constituency.
Richard Flinton
Chief Executive, North Yorkshire Council
Richard has worked for North Yorkshire Council for over 30 years and over 10 years as Chief Executive. Richard was born just outside Scarborough and attended school and college in Scarborough.
Richard Cooper
Beyond Housing
Richard is a qualified accountant and works for Beyond Housing, as Director of Asset Management. He is passionate about improving homes, neighbourhoods and long‑term outcomes for local people. Born and raised in Scarborough, Richard attended Barrowcliffe and Raincliffe schools and has a strong personal connection to the town.
Matthew Butterworth
Head of Academic Studies, CU Scarborough
Councillor Mark Crane
North Yorkshire Council
Mark worked for customs for 38 years, now retired. He was Leader of Selby District Council for 20 years and has been a councillor for 25 years. Married with two grown up children, Mark enjoys long walks and playing golf.
Councillor Liz Colling
North Yorkshire Council
Liz Colling was born and raised in Scarborough and, following a career in pharmacy and business, returned to the area in 2010 to be closer to family.
She was elected to represent Falsgrave and Stepney in 2015 and has served the area since then. Liz is currently Chair of the Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee at North Yorkshire Council.
Councillor Sarah Mason
Scarborough Town Council
Sarah is a Scarborough Town Councillor who stood for election to represent and support the local community. She has a long-standing connection to the town and brings a strong understanding of its history, character and challenges.
Over many years, Sarah has seen Scarborough evolve and remains committed to highlighting its strengths, including its rich heritage, historic harbour and long-standing reputation as a seaside resort.
Adrian Perry
Scarborough and District Civic Society
President of Scarborough Civic Society. The group follows the following guidelines: we will strive not to leave Scarborough with a diminished heritage but greater and better than when we received it.
Chief Inspector Lucy McNeill
North Yorkshire Police
Lucy is a Chief Inspector within North Yorkshire Police based on the Coast Command with oversight for Neighbourhood Policing. Most of her career has been based on the coast and she has worked in response, NPT, Intelligence, Crime and Safeguarding during her 23 years service.
She has lived in Scarborough all of her service and has raised her children here so understands all of the positives the area has to offer but is also aware of the areas that need some development and change.
Simon Bull
Scarborough Business Ambassadors
Simon is Chair of the Scarborough Business Ambassadors as well as owner of a Scarborough firm. The Ambassadors are a group of volunteer business leaders whose aim it is to bring the skills of that community to help benefit the town and surrounding area. Their main event each year is Scarborough Science and Engineering Week, which showcases STEM industries to school aged children over three days in October at Scarborough Spa.
Sarah Douglas
English Heritage
Sarah moved to North Yorkshire last year to take on the role of Cluster Manager with English Heritage, overseeing Whitby Abbey, Scarborough Castle and Pickering Castle. Prior to this, she worked in charity retail, supporting communities and contributing to a meaningful cause has always been important to her.
Sarah has many cherished memories of childhood holidays in Scarborough and is proud to now play a part in preserving an important part of the town’s heritage.
Martin Barkley
NHS Trust
Martin retired in 2021 after a 49-year career in management in the NHS including being Chief Executive of five different trusts. Having been retired for a couple of years he applied to be Chair of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and was appointed to that position from November 2023. He has lived in North Yorkshire since 2009.
Karen Porter
ConnectEd Scarborough CIC
Karen is the founder and director of ConnectEd Scarborough CIC, bringing extensive community development experience through strategic roles across healthcare, education and community sectors including York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Age UK Scarborough. With a deep expertise in SEND, disability support and employment inclusion, she demonstrates how targeted community support services can drive regeneration and transform lives across Scarborough.
Advisory members
- Helen Jackson, Head of Regeneration North and East
- Andy Kerr, Director of Economy, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
- Nic Harne, Corporate Director Community Development, North Yorkshire Council
- Kerry Levitt, Principal Regeneration Delivery Office, North Yorkshire Council
Secretary: Laurie Wilsher, North Yorkshire Council
Members of the public are welcome to contact the board at any time. If you have questions or comments you would like to submit ahead of a Board meeting, email regeneration.north-east@northyorks.gov.uk.