Trustees’ Week (6-10 November)
Advice for Renters has a lot to celebrate this week.
Following our AGM, we are pleased to welcome no less than six new trustees to join our Board.
“This comes at a time when Advice for Renters is emerging from the financial and other challenges experienced by so many charities with Brexit, cuts to
public services and Covid-19 combining to reduce services at the same time as increase demand.” said, CEO Joe Cole. “We are now pulling out all the stops to meet new challenges, including the cost-of-living crisis and rising fuel costs for renters who are already impoverished by soaring rents.” he added.
Fortunately, Joe will have the support of both continuing trustees and our newly elected members who have already demonstrated a real drive and commitment to ensure A4R will reach new heights.
New trustee Sarah Cashman commented, “I’m really excited to get stuck in as a new trustee at A4R. I firmly believe in renters’ rights - not least because I am one! - and am grateful for the opportunity to put my skills to good use helping to further A4R’s mission.”
And as Peddy Hashemi put it, “Being a Trustee for A4R aligns with my personal commitment to contributing towards the betterment of our community. The cause that the charity stands for resonates deeply with me. Ensuring that renters have access to reliable advice and mentoring is critical, and I am eager to lend my efforts to this mission. I hope that being able to work alongside a team of dedicated individuals who share the same passion will have a significant impact on the lives of low-income and minoritised tenants facing homelessness.”
Jacky Peacock is no stranger to A4R, having been a former CEO for more years than she can remember, and she too joins the Board. “Joe is doing a great job steering A4R through choppy waters and I’m looking forward to my new role. Renters are currently facing eye-watering rents, often in exchange for conditions that would have been familiar to novelist and social reformer Charles Dickens 200 years ago. We need to strengthen our voice in calling for the changes needed to end this scandal.”
And last but not least, new trustee Peter Charalambides added , “I really wanted to become a trustee at Advice for Renters to help tenants have a stronger voice. And as a landlord myself, I feel it’s really important to work towards levelling the power balance that exists between landlords and tenants."
Following John Kwan’s departure from his role as Chair of Trustees, Jacky Peacock was elected in following our AGM last month. George Bangham also stepped down from his position as Deputy Treasurer at our AGM. We’d like to thank both John and George for their years of service to A4R, especially John for being with us for ten years. Both of them helped us weather the many challenges that non-profits are currently facing.