Our Core Team

  • Ricky Gleeson, Partnerships Manager, Trustee and Sports Programme Manager

    Ricky works tirelessly as a volunteer to develop relationships and partnerships, run our sports activity programme and helps with mentoring young people. We desperately need volunteers to help him and to help us grow. Please get in touch.

  • Ron Overton, Chief Executive

    Ron was born in Jarrow and lived his first 20 years in South Shields. He is passionate about young people, has run Charities at national and regional level and excited to be working with Ricky and the developing team to make good things happen.

    His charity experience also includes youth offending, education, mental health, homelessness, hospice and life limiting disease, disability and disadvantage.

    ron@hoodex.charity. 07939 510922

  • Jo Christie -Turn-Around Project Co-ordinator

    Jo started on 1 June 2025 with the brief to launch and develop our flagship mentoring project. Her background is in education and working with young people, including those with special needs and challenging behaviour.

    Please get in touch and find out how passionate she is about turning around young lives.

    jo@hoodex.charity 07946 023624

patron & SPECIAL ADVISOR

  • Mark bellingham

    We’re delighted to welcome Mark Bellingham as Patron and Special Advisor for HoodEx. With over two decades of service in the West Midlands Police, rising to the rank of sergeant, Mark has extensive experience working closely with local communities. His insight and hands-on experience in community engagement will be invaluable as we continue to support young people and strengthen our local connections.

    During his policing career, Mark enjoyed a prolific spell as a non-league footballer, scoring over 700 goals — a testament to his dedication and commitment both on and off the pitch.

    Mark is also the father of Jude and Jobe Bellingham, both making waves in professional football.

    The family’s passion for sport and community aligns perfectly with the values of HoodEx, and we are honoured to have Mark supporting us in this role.

Our Board of Trustees

  • Ranjana Bell

    It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

  • Ricky Gleeson, Founder and Chair of Trustees

    It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

  • Billie-Jean Morris

    Billie Jean works with young people, and others, with learning and emotional needs and helps them transform their view of themselves and the future. Thats very much what we want to do for the young people we work withj.