Our Trustees

Jill Poole , Chair man

I joined the WI in 2012 when i moved to the Island after living in France for 12 years.

My working life was based in the south of England as an Account Executive for Hallmark PLC and i resumed working for them when i moved to the Island until i retired in 2020.

I live with my husband John in Andreas and love Island life, I have been a trustee and vice-chair for three years up till 2021 but have recently re-joined the board. My passion is crafting and I enjoy passing that on to our craft events and as a speaker to WIs.

Lesley Kneen Vice- Chair

I am a member and part of the committee for kirk Bride WI first joining in 1976. I became a member of the then Executive Committee becoming chairman of Craft & Home Economics and then Arts, Heritage & Leisure.

Following this i became Island Chairman in 2008 until 2012 . I became Federation secretary and enjoyed getting to know more about how WI works and meeting more of our members. I re -joined the Creative Craft Committee and came back onto the Board of Trustees and took on Chairman of Arts, Heritage & Leisure once again.

In my spare time i love to craft and have a go at anything new. My other hobbies are playing darts, gardening and reading.

I am married to John and have 2 daughters and a son, 3 grandsons, a granddaughter and 2 great grandsons.

Becoming a member of WI has enabled me to meet new people, make new friends and learn new skills and become more confident. I recommend it for fun and friendship to anyone thinking of joining.

Patricia Nutter Vice-Chair

I was born in Portsmouth and I trained as a Physiotherapist at the RN Hospital Hasler where I met my husband who was an officer in the RN. Thereafter, I worked in the NHS throughout my career. We have a son, two grandchildren and a great -grandson living in Glen Vine.

In 2006 we moved to the Island after visiting our daughter and falling in love with it. I joined Castletown WI in January 2007after seeing a advert in the library. WI provided instant friendship, the opportunity to learn new skills and to participate in fun activities.

Soon after I was on the committee, then Treasurer for one year and have been President since 2009.

With my background i was drawn to join the Public Affairs and Science Committee in 2015. I became a member of the Board of Trustees in 2016, a Vice-Chair in March 2017 and Chairman in 2018.

On stepping down from the Board in 2021, I took on the role of Merchandiser. In August last year , I accepted an invitation to join the Board of Trustees. I was elected a Vice-Chair at the ACM in March 2024

Catherine Chatterley,

I joined Parkfield WI in 2013 as a member. I went onto the Committee in 2014 and I have been President for the last 8years. I was co-opted I onto the Board of Trustees in 2020.

I work full time as a Dental Nurse and I also enjoy crafting. It was because of this love that I started the Manx Craft Guild which is now in it’s 10th year.

I have been married to my husband, Simon, for 20 years and we have two new cats called Hank and Chewie.

I love what the WI has given me and I have made new friends and learnt a lot of new things from the Speakers we had. My roles on the board is Social media and Website.

Anne Turner

I joined the WI eight years ago and have belonged to two groups, Arbory and Port St Mary. It's been a very enjoyable time, meeting new people, renewing old friendships and learning new skills.

Growing up my mother was always involved with Arbory WI's entry to the Southern Agricultural Show, so I was really pleased to join the WI Agricultural Show Committee in 2019. Early this year I became a trustee.

I live in Colby with my husband and two dogs. We have two daughters who at present are living in the UK. I'm mostly retired but occasionally do some educational supply work.

Angela Souter

My name is Angela Souter, I am married to Ian who was raised on the Isle of Man. We have two children and a gorgeous granddaughter! I was born and raised in Chelmsford, Essex, and lived in Hertfordshire before moving and living overseas for over 30 years. Firstly in Kuwait, then Abu Dhabi, with a short interim living in Cheshire, then finally Dubai, where we settled for the last 27 years. We retired to the Isle of Man in 2019.

I originally trained as a Dental Surgery Assistant Tutor at UCH London, then as a Dental Hygienist at the Royal Dental Hospital, St George's, Tooting, London. Changing career when I moved overseas I worked as a Nursery Teacher before retraining in Dubai as a Primary School teacher.

I enjoy gardening, bird watching, cooking and knitting, play Mah Jong once a week and love to challenge myself with projects in Leather, Mosaics, Watercolours and Acrylic paints.

I became a member of Bradda Head WI in 2019; the warm welcome at my very first meeting had me hooked! I joined the committee in 2020 and became Secretary later that year. The rest, as they say, is history!

Michelle Lewis-Robertson

"I am an Indigenous woman originally from Canada. I moved to the Isle of Man in 2019. I have 2 sons Kane and Jack and I am the grandmother of two gorgeous grandchildren Matsu and Amea. I work full time and I run a mental health support group in the North of the island. Ending the stigma of mental illness and promoting positive change for those struggling is a passion of mine. I also enjoy reading, photography, and walking.

My first WI was in Chipping, Lancashire and when I settled on the Isle of Man I joined Cornaa WI in Ramsey. Currently I am their secretary and I have been in that role for over 3 years. I was co-opted to the Board of Trustees in 2023. I am also a member of the Membership Support and Training Committee and Public Affairs and Science Committees.

I love being a part of the Women’s Institute and I appreciate the friendships I have made . Each meeting, role, and activity I participate in teaches me something new that I can use in both my personal and professional lives"

Suzanne Slater

My name is Suzanne and I live in Ramsey with my husband Steve. We have two grown children,one living in Scotlandand the other in Germany.

We came to the IOM from Nottingham in 1995for a job opportunity and i have lived in Ramsey ever since. My work background is mainly in computer programming before I qualified as a primary school teacher, eventually working with special needs children at Ramsey Grammar School.

I enjoy bird watching,reading and quizzing and joined Cornaa WI 2013, at a friend’s insistence and have been on the committee ever since,only recently handing over the reins of the monthly newsletter. Our ex-Chairman Lillian encouraged me to become a Trustee and following my interest in history, arts and culture I joined the Arts, Leisure and Heritage sub Committee. The late Pauline Mitchell drew me into WI archiving and I intend to continue with this , mentored by the principal Archivist Jackie Coward.

The WI to me means friendship, learning, skills and opportunities, all of which i would continue to share in future

Pauline Bruce

I first joined the WI 40 years ago when, pregnant with my first child, I moved to a tidy Village in Cheshire. I didn’t know anyone but a lady called and invited me to the next meeting. It changed my life. I’d never had time for hobbies but soon I had good friends and a support network. I sewed, knitted , embroidered, baked and made jam.

I worked as a Conveyancer in Manchester area dealing with domestic property sales, purchases and leases and was a Justice of the Peace in Trafford, Greater Manchester.

I served as Secretary and Treasurer in Cheshire and currently I am Treasurer of Harbourside WI in Ramsey where I live with my lovely husband.

I love anything to do with animals, especially dogs, having shown standard poodles at Crufts and I am a keen supporter of Fc Isle of Man often attending away matches across.

Leanne Urwin

I Joined WI in 2017 as a member, I have been secretary of Spring Chicks WI for 3 years. I was co-opted onto the Board of Trustees in 2024

I work full time as a Workforce and Culture development manager. I love my role because I am a people person, my role gives me lots lots of skills I utilise in the WI.

I have been married to my husband, Rob for 16 years and we have a patterdale terrier called Mollie. We love walks and beach! If not on Island we will be found on Holiday as we love to travel.

For me the WI, is fun, friendship, education and empowering women! I have made some lifelong friends and learnt so much. The opportunities are endless and as a member of the board i want to support the IOM WI to reach more women in our community.

Susan Allan

My name is Sue Allen and I moved to the island in August 2020 to realise a childhood ambition. After spending most of my life in cities in October 1999 I moved to Chipping Sodbury in Avon Federation and attended my first WI meeting a week later. I joined Chipping Sodbury WI in January 2000 and within 18 months found myself on the committee. After a short spell on tea and coffee I spent 10 years as programme secretary – not an easy job. I later became one of the two vice presidents and caused some consternation by getting through a committee meeting in half the usual time. For the last 4 years in Avon I was also Group Secretary for our group of 8 local Wis which meant co-ordinating arrangements for twice-yearly group meetings. I also joined Old Sodbury WI as a dual member – smaller but more informal and was happy to be part of a WI celebrating its centenary in 2019

I moved to the island in August 2020. The previous year, on holiday, I had attended a meeting at Port St Mary and the president gave me her contact details for me to use when I moved here. I was invited to attend a couple of their social events before I got to my first monthly meeting and joined in October 2020. I have been on the committee for the last 2 year

I was asked to join the Membership Support Team in 2021 and was then became a Trustee in October 2024.

Having spent my working life in secretarial/admin roles, for the last 10 years with a local authority Children’s Services department, I try to avoid doing admin in retirement. I live in Port Erin with my dog and would like to find time to do more long walks, birdwatching and embroidery.