I have sung in choirs my whole life and I understand the power and connection that music and singing together enables in building community. I am delighted to be the Chair of the Choir with No Name and bring my 30 years of experience in the humanitarian, management consulting and financial service sectors to support this inspiring organisation. Following a career delivering multiple technology transformation programmes and counselling and mentoring to leaders and global corporations, I took on the role of Chief Executive of St John Ambulance in South Africa, before coming to the UK in 2020 to be Chief Business Officer of St John Ambulance UK. I have recently been appointed Chief Executive of Ely Diocesan Board of Finance, all experience I hope to use to support the development of the Choir with No Name at this exciting stage.

I have been a huge fan of the CWNN since 2012.  I have seen first-hand what a tremendous positive impact the choir has on its members. The Christmas singalong is the highlight of my festive season. Fortunately, no-one can hear my singing!

Sharing a hot meal after rehearsal each week creates a family feel, providing support and fellowship for the CWNN community. I have been so impressed by the whole team and am very proud to be able to contribute to this remarkable organisation in a small way. My background is in digital advertising and business development. I hope to use my business and finance experience to help the CWNN to reach new heights during the planned expansion period!

Andy is Partner at Gowling WLG and former Chair. He led on the firm's diversity and inclusion drive in every way possible, he was and is a mental health champion and he is a founding member of our Diversity Forum.

With more than 25 years' experience, Andy helps clients to understand the legal issues in corporate transactions and deal with them commercially. He certainly has 'the knowledge' and leads from the front, taking a hands-on approach to deals and guiding his clients smoothly through the transaction process.

I am so excited to be part of The Choir With No Name. As a choral singer I know first-hand the positive feelings of togetherness and empowerment that come from singing with others. The Choir with No Name changes lives and it’s a privilege for me to be part of this in a small way.

My background is as a fundraiser in the creative and heritage sector. I work with philanthropists and grant givers to build generous relationships that make important and impactful work happen. Currently I’m Head of Philanthropy at Chichester Festival Theatre and a fundraising consultant for various creative organisations. I love seeing the difference that gifts of all sizes can make, and will be bringing this passion to CWNN as it grows and develops.

I feel extremely privileged to be able to contribute to the work of the amazing Choir with No Name as one of its trustees. Having sung in choirs for many years I've experienced first hand the sense of friendship, support, enjoyment and achievement that being part of a group, singing together, can bring to its members. CWNN Name does exactly that, and yet so much more.

Now retired, I worked for 40 years developing and managing a wide range of homelessness and support services for voluntary sector agencies and housing associations. I know just how big a contribution the services provided by CWNN can make to its members' lives.

CWNN has ambitious plans to expand its activities, forming more choirs across the UK, and I'm excited by the prospect of playing a small part in that development, alongside the critical involvement of Choir members and staff.

I am so pleased to be a small part of The Choir with No Name. It is so clearly such a force for good in the community, offering friendship, support and stability, and most importantly the chance to belt out some great songs, for those who may be struggling in the wider world. A real example of how the seemingly small things that can make a big different to people's lives. 

A lawyer by background, I live in South East London and have always loved music, believing that its importance is under-rated in both education and wider life. The fantastic team at CWNN are here to change that!

I grew up in Liverpool, and first heard of The Choir With No Name after seeing the Liverpool choir perform at Light Night in the city several years ago. I am particularly interested in services which use creative engagement techniques, and loves that Choir with No Name helps people get support, find community and, arguably most importantly, have fun!

I have held senior positions across a number of national charities, and currently lead communications and policy at Redthread- a organisation that embeds youth work within the health sector. I am passionate about promoting innovative solutions to social issues, pushing for reform at a systems level.

I love finding creative ways to work alongside staff and beneficiaries to help tell their stories. I have written articles on why media training frontline staff is so valuable and headed up a national media training programme as part of my role at Catch22. By listening to and learning from teams - and to those who engage with services - I can ensure communications are authentic and impactful.

I walked into Cadogan Hall in December 2019 for what I expected to be some kind of formal Christmas choral ensemble. I left, a few hours later, with my wife and her parents after the most joyous party singalong. From that evening, I was drawn to CWNN and the work we do.

With my own personal lived experience of homelessness and mental ill-health, I can relate to the difference that CWNN makes, bringing community, fellowship and belonging to our choirs.

Away from singing very poorly, I am married to Claire and we are based in South West London. I am a People & Culture (HR) Leader with a background across various sectors to include social housing, technology and the charity sector. I am otherwise likely to be found running a marathon (over 100 to this point), at Anfield watching my beloved Liverpool, or studying for my part-time degree in Theology & Ministry.

I have previously served as a Trustee at Mind, the UK's largest mental health charity, and continue to be a strong mental health advocate and corporate speaker around wellbeing.

Being able to bring my skills and lived experiences to serve our members and support CWNN's wonderful journey is something which humbles me deeply.

I’m thrilled to support the Choir with No Name as a Trustee and Treasurer. Music has always been a powerful force for connection and joy, and I’m inspired by the way CWNN uses singing to build community and transform lives.

I bring over 13 years of experience in financial leadership across private equity, insurance, and asset management. Currently, I’m the Senior Group Financial Controls Manager at Hiscox, where I lead the Group Controls function. My background includes senior roles at a private equity firm and EY, and I have deep expertise in audit, assurance, and corporate governance.

I’m passionate about strong financial stewardship and hope to use my skills to support CWNN’s continued growth and impact. It’s a privilege to be part of such a joyful and meaningful organisation.

Singing has been a big part of my life since early childhood and most of my career has been spent as vocal coach, conductor and pianist in opera and music theatre. Based in central London, I joined the music staff of English National Opera in 1983 and apart from a break to conduct The Sound of Music in the West End and another as mentor on the reality TV show Anyone Can Sing, I’ve been there ever since.

As conductor of the North London Chorus for over 20 years and former MD of the Pink Singers, Europe’s longest-running LGBT+ community choir, I’ve witnessed first-hand the transformative power of singing in community, and as a new trustee I’ll be part of the Artistic Direction committee.  I passionately believe that “Anyone Can Sing” and I’m looking forward to paying back some of the joy, hope and sense of belonging that singing has brought me.

Both my parents were musicians and I have sung all my life. I always come away from singing with other people with a smile on my face, feeling a little taller, with a sense of connection to to the people I sing with and for. What’s not to love? 

But not everyone feels welcome or has access to the opportunity to sing together and CWNN opens up this possibility for those who because of their backgrounds or life experiences feel excluded, or perhaps who lack the confidence to join in.

I’m absolutely honored to be able to share my passion for singing by working as a Trustee for CWNN and to help make the connection between its work and the wider benefits of this singing together for physical and mental health, wellbeing and joy . 

In my day job I work with mental health organisations in Sheffield and further afield and with the Universities who train health professionals including doctors, nurses, occupational therapists social workers and others. I look forward to thinking about how we can explore the benefits of singing together, especially for those who might find it difficult to access the opportunity to sing with others and develop their skills and confidence through music.