Like much of our calendar of events this year, the 2020 AGM went online, with company members, trustees and directors meeting via Zoom on Wednesday 18 November.

Business on the agenda included appointing three new members to the Board of Trustees.

Graham Floyd joins us as our new Lead Trustee (Digital). A Chartered Project professional who specialises in digital transformation and delivery, Graham’s career began in the Royal Air Force, before he joined the NHS and went on to support public and global organisations as a management consultant.

Steve Tolan joins us as Lead Trustee (Clinical). Steve is the London Regional Chief Allied Health Professional for NHS England and NHS Improvement, with a clinical background in physiotherapy. His general professional interests are rehabilitation and recovery, digital healthcare, system transformation, leadership and diversity, and health inequalities.

The AGM also marked the end of Andrew Lynch’s time as Chair of the Board of Trustees, after four years at the helm. We sat down with him last week to reflect on his time on the Board and hear his aspirations for the future of The Fire Fighters Charity. You can read our interview with him here.

Paul Fuller, Chief Fire Officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was also confirmed as our new Chair of the Board of Trustees, effective from Thursday 19 November.

We also said farewell to Jane Nicklin, who steps down from her role as a member of the Board. Qualified physiotherapist Jane brought extensive experience from her work in healthcare and specialism in neurological conditions. Thank you, Jane, for your time with us.

Finally there was cause for celebration, as Alan Holmes was presented with his Life Patron Award. Alan joined Tyne and Wear Fire Service in 1965, where he served at every operational rank up to and including Deputy Chief Fire Officer until his retirement in 2009. At this point he wholeheartedly agreed to take up the role of Regional Co-Ordinator within the then-newly-formed Charity structure, where he has remained to date, the longest serving of these voluntary roles. Congratulations, Alan, on your Life Patron Award.