Meet the Team

Since we moved into our new building in February 2019, we’ve had help from so many volunteers: Centre of Compassion Liverpool, The Buddhist Meditation Society at Leeds University, Bob Charlton & the Leeds English Language School, the local Tibetan and Nepalese community, locals from literally next door, others from local charities and support groups, Lou Beaumont, Land of Joy, Jamyang London, Joe Browns (Tony, Simon & Darran), local councillors, all in all we calculated 150 people helped in our first few months. Our management team meets once a week and all our volunteers and staff meet a few times a year.

We have divided operations into a few areas:

  • Director (Lee Howson)
  • Admin & Hospitality (Managed by Marie Odile Leconte)
  • Spiritual Programme (Coordinator Chrissie Martindale)
  • Wellbeing Programme (Coordinator Lynne Dowson)
  • Cafe (Tanya Fletcher)
  • Shop (Jeannie Hay)
  • Library (Tim Smith)
  • Outreach: Chaplaincy (Roy Poulter)
  • Outreach: Inter-faith (John Websdale,)
  • Trustees (Chair Dr Marie-Odile Leconte, Unjyn Park, Gordon McDougall, Kay Cooper, Dr Caroline Starkey, Sarah Metcalfe, John Websdale )

Admin & Hospitality

When you arrive at the centre you’ll be welcomed by our reception and admin team. Our house operations team is Marie-Odile Leconte, supported by Mark Cotton on reception, and Jay Simpson as House Manager.

Previous House Managers have included: Rebecca Freer, Anette Akrill, Jamie Harwood and Kieran.

Events & Classes

Sally with help from Marie-Odile and Lynne Dowson currently manages most of the Programme. We have a wonderful team of class facilitators and leaders including Sarah Metcalfe, Celia Chambers, Jonathan Eyre, Tim Smith, Adam Bowley and Chrissie Martindale in supporting our retreats and catering. Previous SPC’s include Ven Mary Reavey, Fiona Oliver, David Midgley, Lynne Dowson and Ven Damchoe.

We have a wonderful team of Designers and graphics support: Dom Briggs has been helping us with design and our website for many years and we’re so grateful, plus we have help from Mark Gatter, Marta Madrid and Elena Schaedel. We also have IT support from Andrew Asquith.

Happy Yak Cafe

The cafe is managed by our inspirational team led by Tanya Fletcher: Pat, Pete, Angela and Tenzin. Mikey & John also help with regular maintenance issues and Celia does a wonderful job with the interior design.

Mark Winckles set up the cafe when we first started and still helps from time to time, and Jay Simpson was our second cafe manager. The role of cafe manger coming out of lockdown was taken up by Jake Rider and was followed by Tanya Fletcher.

Buddhist Shop & Charity Shop

Our Buddhist shop and Charity shop are run by Jeannie Hay and her amazing team: Maggie, Celia, Ellie, Jan, Lisa, Megan, Mikey and Tom, Toni. Members of Jeannie’s extended family also offer kind support in many ways! (the recent #Bookstop for example). Jeannie also manages the eBay shop online.

Outreach Team

Our Chaplaincy Team has gone from strength to strength under the direction of Roy Poulter. His team now consists of Melissa Canavan (prisons), Rowena Field (York hospitals), Cesare Gallozi (Leeds hospitals) and many more around the North of England.

Chris Smart and Marie-Odile run our school visits and other educational visits as well as representing us at the local SACRE council. Ken Lunn and Lynne Dowson offer mindfulness classes for local groups and businesses. John Websdale is our contact for interfaith work across Leeds.

Our Trustees & Director

Our wonderful team of trustees meet 3-4 times a year to check the Centre functions properly and fulfils its charitable aims. The trustees are skilfully led by chair Marie-Odile Leconte, and supported by the other trustees Unjyn Park, Kay Cooper, Gordon McDougal, Caroline Starkey and Sarah Metcalfe, John Websdale. Lee Howson was appointed Director in November 2023 and brings a wealth of experience in managing a Dharma Center.

Our first Director (and Founder) was David Midgley, followed by Jan Metcalfe, Gabrielle Hamilton and Wendy Ridley. Kerry Prest left as Director in December 2022 and Lee Howson joined on November 2023.

The board has been supported by many Treasurers and financial advisors over the years. Most notably Berni, Bob Charlton, Paul Stansfield and most recently Ken Lunn. Our current treasurer is Sherice Parfitt from Harrison & Co Accountants.

Past Trustees who have offered service to Jamyang Leeds are: Brian Goodhall, David Midgley, Lorri Tolan, Mike Murray, Stephen Cragg, Wendy Ridley, David Gray, Gill Niven, Sian Thompson, Tom Sidebottom, Jay Simpson, Andrew Sugden, Andrew Asquith, Charlotte Forster, Craig Skeet, Paul Stansfield, Fiona Meth, Rowena Field, Ken Lunn (who also served as Chair), Adam Bowley, Chrissie Martindale and Jay Simpson.