Isle of Wight charity, Independent Arts, has welcomed three new trustees to its board.
Chair of trustees Wendy Varley said,
“It’s heartening that our call-out for new trustees attracted such keen interest from experienced people who all want to give something back to the Island in this voluntary strategic role.
“All our trustees appreciate how vital the arts are for boosting morale, health and confidence and keeping people connected. Their support and skills help the charity develop to benefit even more Islanders.”
Josie Pook
Josie Pook (pictured left) is a Chartered Certified Accountant, fellow of the ACCA. She has more than 10 years’ experience with corporates in financial management, project management and IT in the UK and overseas. She is now advising businesses on strategy, finance & systems transformation with Quantifi.
She has a strong interest in the arts and said,
“I feel honoured to be joining such a wonderful charity as trustee and treasurer. Independent Arts is an exciting opportunity for me to give back to the community just as Independent Arts itself gives back to the community through its projects.”
Graham Barnetson
Graham Barnetson (pictured centre) is Chief Financial Officer at Red Funnel. He is a Chartered Management Accountant, Fellow of the Institute of Directors and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Internal Audit and an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute. His non-executive roles include business director at Solent Local Enterprise Partnership and vice-chair of Maritime UK Solent. Graham is also a governor at The Isle of Wight College.
Graham said,
“Loneliness, vulnerability and isolation can impact us all at times when we often least expect it. As a small charity on the Island, Independent Arts plays such a critical role in supporting, empowering and engaging people through their incredible programmes of arts that span all generations. Their work has never been more needed and I am delighted to be able to support them.”
Jacquie Heany
Jacquie Heany (pictured right) has a background in Organisational Development and Human Resources gained in the private, public and charity sectors. Now retired, her last two roles were with international aid agencies, working at CAFOD as the Director of People and Performance and subsequently at World Vision UK where she was the Director of People and Business Excellence.
As a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Jacquie has contributed to the development of human resource standards in the public and charity sectors. She was previously on the Governing Board of an international charity based in Geneva.
Jacquie said,
“Independent Arts plays such a vital role in supporting the wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable people on our Island. The reach and breadth of the charity’s work is already amazing, but the need within our community is great and is likely to become even greater.
“I feel privileged to join the Independent Arts team as a trustee and, I hope, make my own contribution to their essential work.”
Gagliani: It’s essential to have these skilled senior volunteers onboard
Chief Executive Lisa Gagliani said,
“Trustees have an essential role in charities – they enable and challenge the team to be the best they can and they provide trusted confidence to supporters.
“At a time of growth in our charity, it’s essential to have these skilled senior volunteers onboard and we are so grateful to each of our trustees for the time they give.”
What is Independent Arts?
Independent Arts (charity no 297474) was founded in 1987 and uses the arts to improve people’s wellbeing, quality of life and to reduce social isolation on the Isle of Wight.
Its popular community sessions include SingAbout, Singing for Breathing and DanceMakers; family learning, including Picture Play; and arts for young people, including Reconnect. It also delivers arts workshops in care homes across the Island.
For more information visit the Website.
News shared by Wendy on behalf of Independent Arts. Ed
