Two New Appointments - EITC & Free School

Everton in the Community and Everton Free School are delighted to announce two new appointments from Merseyside Police to the charity’s established team of Ambassadors and the education establishment’s board of governors.

Chief Constable Andy Cooke [pictured above] has given his support to the pioneering work of EitC and joined the Club’s official charity in an ambassadorial role, while Inspector John Sacker has joined the board of governors for Everton Free School and Sixth Form College.

Everton in the Community has a long-standing relationship with Merseyside Police, with both organisations fully committed to empowering local young people to tackle current social issues that are prevalent across Merseyside and also encouraging community cohesion.

The well-regarded affiliation inspires individuals to make positive, impactful life choices as well as helping to reduce the amount of anti-social and criminal incidents across the county.

Joining the force in 1985, Chief Constable Cooke has held his current position with Merseyside Police since June 2016 after replacing Sir Jon Murphy. In 2014 he was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. He will be bringing to the charity an incredible wealth of expertise and diversity of skills in areas including gun and gang crime as well as experience in significantly reducing crime, anti-social behaviour and disorder.

His charitable role within Everton in the Community will see him join an established group of ambassadors dedicated to championing the work of the charity as he works with other staff to raise the profile of their work to improve the lives of vulnerable and underprivileged people across Merseyside and beyond.

Inspector Sacker has joined Everton Free School as a Governor which will see him bring a diverse range of skills to the role while also ensuring that standard of social, emotional and academic support are maintained at the highest level and that all students are challenged and inspired to achieve their full potential.

Dr Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Executive Chair for Everton in the Community, said: “We are delighted to have both Chief Constable Cooke and Inspector Sacker join us as Ambassador and Governor respectively.

“The expertise and diversity of skills that both gentlemen possess will be of great benefit to the strategic direction of Everton in the Community and Everton Free School as we continue to grow and move forwards.”

Chief Constable Cooke, added: “Everton in the Community and Merseyside Police have enjoyed an excellent affiliation for many years and I look forward to us continuing to work closely together in developing the obvious benefits we work tirelessly to achieve for the local community.

“I have long been aware of the breadth of work that Everton Football Club undertake as a responsible and innovative community club and both Inspector Sacker and I look forward to working with EitC to help take forward this wonderful and innovative organisation.”