Interview with Tom Griffin, Chair of Trustees
We are very excited to introduce you all to our new Chair of Trustees, Tom Griffin, who has taken over from Stuart Pinnell. We are very thankful for Stuart’s leadership of the Trustee Board after the sad untimely death of Sophie Meudec, our former Chair.
While Tom gets to grips with the task ahead of him, we asked him some questions about himself, his background and why he has joined Citizens Advice Ipswich.
Tom, please could you tell us a little bit about your background and what led to you joining Citizens Advice Ipswich?
I am a Scotsman, and have lived in England for nearly forty years – the last thirty-odd in Suffolk. I am a retired local authority chief executive, and a former chair of Orwell Housing Association. I have a strong commitment to public service, and am a supporter of organizations like Citizens Advice. I was elected President of Rotary Great Britain and Ireland in 2020 and steered the organisation through and out of the global pandemic. This required strategic thinking about our role in new ways in uncertain times. We had to adapt and take the organisation with us to become renewed and stronger.
I think that this experience, together with my professional background where I gained knowledge of the voluntary sector as well as local government structures, gives me the skills necessary to benefit Citizens Advice, Ipswich, and so I was delighted when the opportunity arose to join the Trustees as Chair.
Why did you think Citizens Advice Ipswich was the right move for you?
It’s local; it’s the “right size” for me – I’m not one for huge, impersonal organisations; and I believe I can work well with the people I’ve met so far.
What do you see as the prime role for a Chair of Trustees?
To lead the Trustees in their key roles, which I see as (in no particular order): setting strategy; making sure we comply with laws, regulations and our mission; ensuring the ongoing viability of the organisation – in other words, good governance.
What would you like to achieve with Citizens Advice Ipswich?
As a Charity that has served the Ipswich area for 50 years, Citizens Advice Ipswich has survived in great part because it has adapted to the changing world in which it has operated. I would like to see it continue to provide great service to people in the Ipswich area and others who rely on its assistance; to see it continue to evolve and innovate as circumstances change; to leave it at the end of my term as strong, if not stronger, than it is now.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Do you have any particular interests or hobbies?
I am a very active Rotarian. The Rotary Clubs across the country come up with ideas and funding to improve the lives of people in our communities, and the world. I also enjoy travelling, reading, walking and listening to classical music.
Finally, how does it feel to join Citizens Advice Ipswich and is there anything in particular you’d like to say to the Ipswich community?
I’m excited by the prospect of doing what I can to help Citizens Advice Ipswich, working with my fellow trustees, and I hope that I can do my bit to ensure that we continue to serve and assist the people who need and rely on our help on the way towards our next big anniversary.