Carol Francis

Community Link Co-Ordinator

I have been involved in voluntary community work one way or another, elected to a variety of positions since 1977.

My public participation roles include LEA Governor of St. Paul’s school, Parent Governor of Beaufort Community School, a member of the County Council’s multicultural Advisory group, a Director of Barton, Tredworth & Eastgate Trust, and a parent Representative on Gloucester’s Education Achievement Zone Forum.  I have also been the Chairperson of the City Council’s Race Equality Forum and was a member of the first management committee as well as Chairperson of the personnel sub-committee when the Gloucester Race Equality Council (Glosrec) was re-launched in 1994, I twice held the role of Chairperson of the Gloucestershire County Council’s Black Workers Network and has been Chairperson of the Jamaican Club. In 1993, I was a resident representative on the Ryecroft Approved Premises Community Liaison Group.

I was appointed as a local Magistrate in 1989.

In 1993 I was presented with the “Black Achievers Award” for services to the community, which was voted for by the community.

In May 2000, with my husband Derrick and other friends was instrumental in setting up Gloucester FM community radio station which started October 2000 with a 28 day licence then July 2006 received a full time licence to broadcast full time. 

In May 2000, they say I made local history by being elected the first black female city councillor of the Eastgate Ward.

In July 2001, made history again by becoming the first Black Sheriff and Deputy Mayor of Gloucester City. Carol was the 870th Sheriff of Gloucester.  

In March 2006, awarded a lifetime achievement award by Community Counts which was voted for by the community.

In October 2007, The Church of God Seventh Day awarded me an award in recognition of outstanding contribution to community development

In March 2008, I was asked to join a task force set up by Harriet Harman, the then deputy Prime Minster of the UK, to encourage more Black Asian and Minority Ethnic women into public Service. Carol represented the South West of England.

In October 2008 received an award from The Association of Jamaican Nationals for contribution to the development of the Jamaican Community and other Nationals in the UK and overseas. 

In 2011 Gloucester City Homes (GCH) presented me with an award for Community recognition.

2012 I help set up BME Police and Community Trust (PACT) at the request of the community. The PACT Initiative looks at improving levels of community trust and confidence with Gloucestershire Constabulary. The initiative was refined to 3 strands of work:

1. Service Delivery/Police Professionalism
2. Youth Engagement
3. Community Engagement/Issues

November 2013 The University of Gloucestershire awarded me an Honorary Fellowship for services to the Community

September 2016 became Barton Mayor

February 2018 Named one of The 50 Greatest Gloucestershire Women of all time

April 2018 named in The 100 most influential women in the West

October 2018 award for service to the Community from Antoin Akpom Foundation

July 2020 Became a member of Legitimacy Panel, to provide independent advice to the police.

October 2020 Received Gloucester’s Mayor’s award for services to the community

November 2021 named in the 50 inspirational women in Gloucestershire

April 2022 I was added in – A Legacy in Leadership is a wonderful biographical book commissioned by the Jamaican High Commission, and published in April 2022 acknowledging the achievements of over 500 individuals from the Windrush Generation to descendants in present day Britain.

October 2022 Received awarded for making a positive impact in and around the world, from HRH Okogyeman Obreemponnsu Kobina Amissah I. (private name Sir Clyde Rivers)

I am a wife, mother of two and grandmother to three, continue to sit as a Magistrate a member of the Community Legitimacy Panel and present shows on GFM community radio