Photo of Tom Griffin

Welcome to our new Chair of Trustees 

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Welcome to our new Chair of Trustees 

The Trustee Board are pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Griffin LLB as the new Chair of Trustees at Citizens Advice Ipswich, with effect from August 2024.

Tom Griffin, incoming Chair said:

“I am delighted to be joining Citizens Advice Ipswich. It’s an honour to have been appointed the new Chair, and I’m looking forward to supporting the charity through the exciting years ahead.”

Tom has extensive experience in local government service and in governance roles and his career has included positions as Chief Executive of Suffolk Coastal District Council, and previously Chief Executive of Maldon District Council. He is a retired solicitor and has had significant roles in a number of not-for-profit organisations, including being the President of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland in 2020/21.

Vice Chair, David Podd, said:

“The trustees are delighted to welcome Tom to his new role in this the 50th anniversary year of Citizens Advice in Ipswich. Following the very sad death of our former Chair, Sophie Connelly, earlier this year, we have been looking for someone to lead the charity in a time of political change, with ever increasing demand on our service. Tom’s professional background as well as his interest in having an active part in his community made him an obvious choice for us. We all look forward to working with him to take our work forward.

“I would like to extend our thanks to Stuart Pinnell who stepped back into the role of Interim Chair while we recruited a new Chair.”

Chief Officer, Nicky Willshere said:

“I really look forward to working with Tom. Together we will develop and enhance the services we provide to over 10,000 people across the Ipswich area through both the core service as well as our contracted projects. Tom’s understanding of local government will be a real asset as we work with our partners in health, local government and the not-for-profit sector.”