Experienced Trustee, NED & Chair

Enthusiastic, flexible & a fast learner. I have experience gained from director/trustee roles with several charities and the chairing of committees; as well as running my own business since 2017.

My professional background is as a qualified optician and I have been involved with optics since 2004. During this time I have studied several qualifications, including my MSc. I spent over 5 years as senior lecturer & professional lead at a University, where I chaired several committees and demonstrated great skill in working with collaborative partners to achieve shared goals, working as an effective team.

Over the years I have become used to dealing with governance and regulatory frameworks (both educational and healthcare) which have aided my ability to think creatively, analytically and a willingness to modify my thinking in the light of new information and to respect the differing views of others. During COVID I studied for a Certificate in Charity Law and Governance.

I continue to keep up-to-date with what is happening in the sector and complete CPD on a regular basis. This is achieved though my membership of several professional bodies, including the Institute of Directors, where I am working towards Chartered Director status. 

Current roles: -

• Family Mediation Standards Board - Lay member, chair of the complaints panel, chair of the training & accreditation panel
• Institution for Occupational Safety and Health (Chair of the Awarding Organisation & Chair of the Performance & Development Committee)
• Association of Chairs
• Carers Support East Kent (& Chair of the Risk, Governance & Quality Committee)
• The Road Safety Trust - Also on Risk & Audit Committee

Previous roles

• British Contact Lens Association – Council Member; also the Membership and Education committees, & chair of the Fellowship subcommittee.
• Communigrow - I was the business development trustee and governance lead
• Kent Association for the Blind
• Vision Care for Homeless People – I also sat on the PR &d Funding subcommittee
• Chartered Insurance Institute - as a Lay Member of the Education & Learning Committee
• British Council for Prevention of Blindness (& on the grants advisory panel)
• Emmaus Medway - also on the Finance, Audit & Risk committee
• Bemix CIC – Interim Co-chair for the Supported Employment programmes.
• Association of British Dispensing Opticians – member of the board of directors, secretary for the South East & sst on the Continuing Education & Training committee
• Qualifications committee of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers

I have developed a wide range of skills including; fundraising strategy, communication and social media, strategic planning & business development, digital implementation, leadership, coaching, & mentoring, compliance (safeguarding, GDPR etc), change management! governance, working with regulators & local authorities, understanding of balance sheets, cashflow forecasts & budget setting