About us

How the cornermen started

MEET THE CORNERMEN

Steve James

Steve James

Founder & CEO
  • 23 yrs of experience as a support worker (latterly at Emmaus)
  • Further education through Oxford University for continuing education, Open University
  • Training in Suicide Prevention, Safeguarding, Brief Therapy, Dealing with Trauma and Psychologically Informed Environments

John Houston

Founder & Chair
  • Founded the South Moreton Boxing Club in 2006, having been involved with the sport since his teenage years.
  • Serial entrepreneur across Leisure, IT and Antiques sectors
  • Founded The Cornermen with Steve James in 2022 combining Steve’s expertise with the club’s faciilities in response to the acute need in the local area.

Karen Lascelles

Trustee (Practitioner)
  • Senior lecturer in mental health nursing
  • Mental health nurse for 35 years
  • Specialised clinician and researcher in suicide prevention for a decade

Matt Williams

Trustee (Practitioner)
  • Senior Programme Manager – Mental Health (NHS)
  • Chair of Thames Valley Suicide Prevention and Intervention Network (SPIN)
  • Oxford Branch Director of Samaritans 2019-2022

Colin FItzgerald

Trustee (Finance)
  • Retired equity partner of Knight Frank
  • 35 years of Board level management experience
  • MBA, FRICS, NED & Real estate consultant

Richard Butcher

Trustee (Governance)
  • 40 years of exec and non-exec experience running trusts for the benefit of others.
  • Former chair of the Pension and Lifetime Savings Association
  • Former MD of PTL – one of the largest firms of professional trustees in the UK

Steve Vinnicombe

Trustee (Vice-Chair)
  • 25+ yrs experience in Management Consulting
  • Previously CEO of Capco UK, partner at Accenture and Exco at Delta Capita
  • Adviser at Right to Dream

GET INVOLVED

Any donations are massively appreciated but there are other ways in which you can support The Cornermen.

ENDORSEMENTS

Tim Witherspoon

Former two time World Heavyweight Champion Tim Witherspoon back The Cornermen appeal.

Julius Francis

Former British Heavyweight Champion, Lonsdale Belt holder and Mike Tyson opponent Julius Francis endorses The Cornermen appeal.

Damien Dempsey

Leading Irish Singer/Songwriter Damien Dempsey talks to John Houston about The Cornermen and his own struggles with depression.

NEWS FROM THE CORNER

The Imagine Foundation award The Cornermen £10k grant.

Posted: July 1, 2025

We are pleased to report to our supporters that we have recently been successful with a grant application to The…

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The Cornermen delivering suicide prevention awareness at contraction sites.

Posted: June 23, 2025

The construction industry is an industry with some of the highest suicide rates. Part of the Cornermen strategy is to…

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Olly Glover MP for Didcot & Wantage pays a visit to Cornermen HQ

Posted: June 16, 2025

On Monday 16th of June, local MP Olly Glover visited us at our base of operations, the fabulous South Moreton…

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