Long-standing board member John Robinson has taken over as Chair at Herts Young Homeless and is keen to continue growing the organisation’s resources in order to enable hyh to improve the lives of those facing homelessness across the county.
John was previously the charity’s treasurer and is an active member of the Friends of hyh volunteer group. His in-depth knowledge of hyh will be invaluable in his new role.
He replaces Brian Littlechild, Professor of Social Work at the University of Hertfordshire, who will remain as a trustee so hyh will continue to benefit from his extensive experience.
“On behalf of the board I would like to thank Brian for all his contributions as chairman and in particular for stepping into the breach at a particularly challenging time,” said John. “We are all delighted that he has agreed to stay on the board as a trustee.
“I look forward to my three years as chair of the board at a time when we have some exciting opportunities. We have a solid base of agreed contracts, a new emerging three-year strategy, some new faces on the board and above all a determination to make a difference to as many vulnerable people as possible.”
Peter Mazzarese will be joining the board as treasurer. He is highly experienced in running accounting and finance functions as well as having over 10 years’ experience teaching.
hyh also welcomes Mathew Baxter to the board of trustees. Mathew is the managing director of echelon Consultancy – a local business providing asset management and procurement services to the affordable housing sector. Mathew has an extensive network of contacts within the both the housing sector and district councils.
A further new trustee, Rebecca Sumner Smith, joined the board in May 2017. Rebecca is a senior finance business partner at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with experience across corporate, public and third sector organisations.
All are looking forward to getting to know the hyh team and helping them meet the challenge of supporting vulnerable people in Hertfordshire who facing the misery of homelessness.