LOCAL CHARITY MEANS BUSINESS
Aspire has just strengthened its Board of Directors with the addition of three local businessmen.
The board positions are all voluntary and Aspire’s Chief Executive, Judith Weir says, “We see it as crucial to our success as a viable, sustainable charity, to have ‘hands-on’ business expertise available to us. We reviewed our skill base and as a result advertised for volunteer board directors with the specific knowledge we needed – we were delighted with the excellent response to our appeal and also delighted to welcome our three new directors”.
Philip Buckingham has moved to the county only recently, having retired after working at Lloyds of London as a broker. Commenting on his appointment Phil says “It was my plan to become involved in voluntary work once we moved to Herefordshire and being a trustee director of Aspire will enable me to support the local community as well as use my business skills gained in over 40 years in the City. We know there are ‘choppy waters’ ahead for all charities as they face cut-backs and I feel that I can help Aspire continue to grow”.
NHS Finance Manager, Chris Plant, has also joined the board. Chris joined the NHS is 2002 from Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors Baker Tilley, where he was a qualified accountant. He has first-hand experience of some of the issues faced by parents and carers, as a family member has Down’s syndrome. Chris also has an MBA in Health and Social Care, which he gained in 2010..
Last but not least of the three new recruits is Tony Briscoe, who has a wealth of expertise in the care sector, which began with his position as a project designer for a Local Authority’s Architects Department where he was involved in development of projects centred around social care and support, including special day and residential schools and adult day centres. This was followed by a spell in the private sector working on private care commissions before becoming Development Director for a large organisation providing care and education for young people with special needs across the UK.
