We are pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Summers as Chair of the Board of Trustees from Friday 1st May. Sarah succeeds Jennifer Scott, who has served as Chair since 2019.
Sarah first joined the Board of Trustees in 2022 and has over 30 years of experience in social work and mental health as a Children and Families practitioner and manager across several local authorities. Prior to this she was a qualified general nurse and manager with experience of the NHS and private sector. Outside of work, Sarah is a permanent foster carer for three young people with neurodiversity. She is passionate that looked-after children get the same opportunities to be loved, to achieve and reach their potential as their peers.
Sarah Summers, incoming Chair: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to support and progress the 5-year strategy as Chair. As a social worker I have direct experience of referring children impacted by early years’ trauma to Harmeny and know the immense sense of nurture and safety that the staff team and environment bring.
My experience as a trustee has given me the opportunity to support and develop the governance needed to underpin the therapeutic approach that Harmeny still provides for some of our most deserving children. I am very fortunate in that the out-going chair, Jennifer Scott will remain on the board of trustees. Her experience, knowledge and commitment to Harmeny will be of continued value as we move forward.”
We’d like to thank Jennifer Scott for her dedication to the role of Chair for the last seven years, seeing the charity through both covid and the expansion of our care and education services to support young people beyond age 14, as well as providing support following the appointment of a new Chief Executive. Jennifer remains on the Board of Trustees and will continue to oversee, support and encourage strategic developments that ensure children and young people who have experience of care should be supported for as long as they need while in, and after, they leave care.
Jennifer Scott, out-going Chair: “It has been a privilege to be involved in such a forward-thinking organisation and to oversee the many exciting developments over the past few years. Closest to my heart has been the extension of the age range at Harmeny and being able now to offer young people fewer transitions as they move through their care and education experience. The reconfiguration of our care facilities, the development of a new secondary education facility and the formation of the Here4U service ensure we can now offer our remarkable children the support they need and deserve as they grow.
I am delighted that Sarah Summers has been appointed as the incoming chair. She brings a vast knowledge and very relevant experience to the role, along with a genuine wish to ensure our children and young people achieve the best possible chances in life. I look forward to continuing to work with her in my role as trustee.”
Gavin Calder, Chief Executive: “I am extremely grateful for the dedication shown by both Jennifer and Sarah as Harmeny trustees. I consider myself to have been very fortunate to have benefitted from the wisdom, support and common–sense approach of Jennifer in my first two years as CEO, and I am looking forward to working closely with Sarah as she takes on this exciting role. In collaboration with my colleagues and the other board members, we will strive to ensure that all of our children and young people continue to have the love, encouragement and nourishment they need to grow and reach their potential.”
