Farewell, Chris!
Sycamore Trust UK staff and trustees gathered in Hornchurch on Friday to bid farewell to our outgoing Chief Executive, Chris Gillbanks.
Chris has been CEO of the charity since 2003, when it was known as PACT (Parents of Autistic Children Together) and has guided the organisation through a challenging period, including the merger with Barking & Dagenham Mencap in 2011, the re-branding to Sycamore in 2014 and the recent coronavirus pandemic. Back in July, she announced she would be standing down, and Sycamore Trust UK subsequently appointed Cheryl Kearney as her replacement.
Staff and trustees said farewell to Chris on Friday. Chair of trustees Jo Baty said; "When Chris announced her retirement, it did not come as a surprise, but we will all miss her. She was the reason I volunteered to be on the Board of Trustees!"
After accepting gifts from the trustees and the staff, Chris commented; " I feel great pride at how Sycamore Trust UK has grown and evolved since 2003 with a small shop front in Gale Street and a staff team of three. I will miss both the staff and trustees and would like to give thanks for the support and confidence they have shown in me over the years. Most of all, I will miss seeing our young people thrive and the provision that we are able to offer."
Incoming CEO Cheryl with a card and gift for Chris
Left to right; chair of trustees Jo Baty, Chris Gillbanks, Vanessa Bennet (trustee) and Judy Nair (trustee)
Sycamore staff, pictured with Chris