Board of Trustees

Bandhu Das

Trustee

I am an accountant and work for the Treasury Office at the moment.

Fernando Caicedo

Trustee

I have previously worked for national charities in HR and am currently the Head of HR for a large organisation. I am also a Trustee for another small charity.

Jason Gowlett

Trustee

I am Director of HR Operations at Direct Line Group where I am responsible for all operational delivery across HR – including recruitment, learning, HR systems and change, payroll and HR advice/services. I also lead on supplier, risk and finance strategy for HR. Before this I held different leadership roles across Direct Line Group and Royal Bank of Scotland. I am a mentor for various groups and am a champion for diversity and inclusion inside and outside his Organisation. I have trustee board experience from being a trustee of the Direct Line Group Pension scheme for 5 years and am currently a sitting magistrate.

I have two daughters and in my spare time love to walk and support Fulham football club.

John Ward

Secretary

I retired from the police in 2013 after 30 years. Having worked at some time during my service with both Bromley and Bexley Mencap, I recently became a volunteer for Bexley Mencap as well as a Trustee on the board. I live in Welling with my wife and two daughters so I’m used to being told what to do! I’m also the chairman of the Priory Players Amateur Theatre Company based in Eltham. I play golf (badly), support Charlton Athletic as well as enjoy watching Rugby Union.

Lisa Thompson

Trustee

I have lived in the Borough for many years and I am passionate about ensuring that everyone in our community has the ability to fulfil their true potential. Therefore I am very excited to be working with Bexley Mencap and our members. Throughout my career I have worked in senior HR roles across many industries including a few well-known charities and I am now a self-employed HR, L&D and Coaching Consultant.

Nicki Fowler

Chair

I have been involved with people with learning disabilities for nearly 30 years in a professional capacity as a nurse and now a lecturer. I have spent over 20 years living and working within the local areas of Bromley and Bexley. I have been a Trustee at Bexley Mencap for six years and am impressed with the organisation and its work for local people with learning disabilities and their families and carers. Working within a voluntary capacity enables me to bring my experiences and commitment to empowering people into an evolving organisation.

Peter Walker

Trustee

I am a lawyer for a local firm and spent many years as the Court of Protection Lead.

Stacey Yusuf

Trustee

I am a carer for my brother who has a learning disability, he attends a centre locally with the ambition of one day having a supported job.
I have worked with special educational needs schools to improve participation and access to sport. I have organised large scale sporting events as well as conferences and meetings for teachers and carers to raise awareness of sporting events and inclusion. I hope to transfer these skills to benefit local people with learning disabilities, their families and carers. I am looking forward to meeting Mencap members and helping wherever I can, however I can.