New Board positions for ROTA

Press Release: 23 June 2010

ROTA is pleased to announce new positions to the Board of Trustees today.

Ali Ahmed is Chair; Gifford Sutherland Vice-Chair; and new Trustee Patricia Lamour is Treasurer.

Ali currently works for the London borough of Tower Hamlets as Third Sector Strategy Officer. He was seconded to Tower Hamlets Council as CVS Development Officer, to provide support to a newly appointed interim Board setting up Tower Hamlets Council for Voluntary Service. He has worked in the voluntary sector for over 15 years. Ali Joined the ROTA Board in January 2007 and was previously the Vice-Chair.

Ali said: "I am delighted and privileged to have been elected as Chair of ROTA. This is a significant role to play in steering ROTA. With the support of the other trustees and our dedicated staff team, I'm confident that collectively we are well placed to continue and expand our work supporting BAME communities. As we enter economically challenging times, we will continue to build on our work and develop new approaches to achieving race equality for all. I am looking forward to the challenge."

Gifford is Founder and Director of Foundation 4 Life, a social enterprise working with disaffected young people experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties. Much of his work has involved facilitating the rehabilitation and resettlement of ex-offenders by providing them with training, support and employment opportunities. He has worked for over five years within the third sector dealing with issues affecting young people.

He sits on a number of boards and advisory groups including the Five Borough Alliance, the GLA Guns, Gangs and Weapons Forum Southwark Gangs Committee and the Croydon Gangs Advisory Panel. Gifford said: "With our continued success, ROTA is in a great position to influence policy at all levels as we enter this next political era. I am looking forward to sharing this responsibility as a representative of the BAME community".

Patricia brings over 30 years' experience in race equality and social justice in the UK, Germany and Africa. She has wide ranging knowledge and expertise in education and training geared towards equality and empowerment of marginalised communities in the areas of education, health and social care services and poverty reduction.

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Notes to Editors

ROTA is an independent research and social policy charity which focuses on the issues facing Black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) communities.
If you are a media professional looking for an expert comment on race inequalities please contact Liz Carr, Communications Officer.