SRS Trustees
The role of Trustees
As a Board, our Trustees are responsible for the governance of Suffolk Refugee Support, ensuring that it is well run and financially viable.
SRS has a proven track record of delivering much needed, high quality services that positively support the lives of those we work with. This also requires us to be flexible and responsive to the changing world faced by refugees and asylum seekers and the developing requirements of our funders. The Board is committed to ensuring that this track record continues and that asylum seekers and refugees in Suffolk are given the best opportunities to build the lives they wish for themselves. To guide us, we have agreed an SRS three year strategic plan for 2020-23, with Trustees having responsibility for leading and supporting its delivery.
Trustees meet once a month (the second Thursday, 6.30 – 8.30), currently alternating between face to face and Zoom meetings. We encourage them to join one of the sub-committees (which also meet once a month). Many of our current trustee body work full-time in their own careers, and sub-committee meetings are organised around their availability.
If you are interested in becoming a Trustee, please contact trusteesecretary@suffolkrefugee.org.uk to find out if there are any current vacancies and then apply using the Trustee Offer To Serve form.
Our current trustees
Our current trustees bring a wealth of experience from the private, public, voluntary and academic sectors:
Dr Felicity Szesnat (chair) has previously represented detained asylum seekers in their claims for refugee status. She holds a PhD in International Law, specialising in international humanitarian (armed conflict) and human rights law, and currently works at the University of Essex, managing a consortium of ten UK universities focused on the social sciences.
Gerry Toplis (vice chair) has worked in social services as a social worker, commissioner and senior manager. He also worked for the NHS across the east of England, focusing on mental health and learning disability issues.
Stuart Gordon (treasurer) is a qualified chartered management accountant and was the Chief Financial Officer of a local stock market quoted PLC for eighteen years. With time available to offer back to the community, he feels his background can significantly aid Suffolk Refugee Support.
Carolyn Crabb has experience in the Fire Service, where she managed teams and their performance, collaborated on local risks, and responded to emergencies. She also worked in trade fairs and exhibitions, supporting businesses across Europe. A Suffolk resident, she enjoys contributing to Suffolk Refugee Support and making a positive impact on the wider community.
Olena Kushakovska
Paul Reeves is a logistics professional by trade and has extensive experience in the sector dealing with international trade. With a highly developed sense of social justice around human rights he aims to bring his skills, experience and values to support the vital role SRS plays in Suffolk.
James Wellesley Wesley worked in financial services and has established a number of businesses in IT services and recruitment. For 10 years he was chair of Seckford Education Trust, a multi academy trust educating secondary and primary schoolchildren in Suffolk. As the grandson of two refugees he is particularly interested in the work of SRS.
Alan Blackshaw (honorary trustee) spent most of his career in social work education. He was a founder trustee of SRS in 2000, and has been treasurer and chair of the Human Resources sub-committee.