Consortium is delighted to announce that following a recent recruitment process 2 new Trustees have been appointed, bringing the Trustee Board to a team of 9. In our drive for a more Trans+ inclusive Trustee Board, Hannah and Louie bring with them a wealth of experience, expertise and knowledge in their own particular areas. This is a critical time as we develop our 5 year strategy, and we look forward to the combined Trustee expertise help steer Consortium into an exciting new strategic period.
Chris French, Consortium’s Chair commented, “I’m truly delighted to welcome Hannah and Louie to the Board of Consortium. Their experience will bring even more diversity of thought to the Board and help us collectively to further our strategic aims as the host of the UK’s largest network of LGBT+ groups, projects and organisations.”
Hannah Pittman
Hannah is one of the founding members of the committee for Pluto MCR, a social group for asexual and aromantic people in the Greater Manchester area and a Consortium Member organisation. She has also recently set up TRACE (Trans Respect Advocacy in Care Employnent), a campaign to provide support to other trans people in the care sector, and encourage greater trans inclusion. Hannah is passionate about the importance of empowered, supportive and organised community activity in furthering LGBT+ rights.
On their appointment, Hannah said, “I am immensely excited to be joining LGBT+ Consortium at such a significant time. My experience as a trans woman leads me to believe that there really has never been such a great need for LGBT+ organisations to come together, and ensure that nobody – no matter what their other experiences are – within the wider community gets left behind. Being able to form a part of supporting an organisation instrumental to this work towards collaboration, cohesion, and the strengthening of community at this turbulent moment in history is an absolute honour, and one that I will certainly not be taking lightly.”
Louie Stafford
Louie had been searching for an opportunity to use both their lived and professional experiences in a board-level role and felt Consortium was a great fit. Louie is the Managing Director of Member organisation Learnest, a social business set up to develop meaningful work opportunities that change the lives and prospects of people affected by transphobia, biphobia and homophobia in the workplace and wider society. Louie has worked for a number of LGBT+ third sector organisations and has been engaged with Consortium’s work, particularly through our Trans Organisations Network.
On their appointment, Louie said, “I first became aware of the brilliant work of LGBT Consortium almost a decade ago through trans community development work I was involved in. Throughout my career, I have witnessed the impact of the support, funding and guidance LGBT Consortium offer to community-led initiatives first hand. LGBT Consortium has a key role to play during these challenging times in supporting the work of the sector to better understand and meet the needs of those most marginalised within our communities. I’m so thrilled and proud to be joining the dedicated team of Trustees and have an opportunity to contribute to the important work of the organisation.”
Paul Roberts, Consortium’s Chief Executive said, “I am delighted that we not only continue to strengthen Trans+ lived experience on the Trustee Board, but also the diverse knowledge and expertise across their professional and personal roles . Consortium is committed to being an umbrella for the LGBT+ voluntary and community sectors that embraces equitable approaches and inclusive practice. I am excited to work alongside Hannah and Louie as we further build this into our developing 5 year strategy, including strong Trans+ areas of work. This is a challenging time for Trans+ people and organisations. Consortium will stand #TogetherWithTrans and ensure at all levels the organisation supports our Trans+ members.”