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Stonewall’s longest-serving trustee, Sheldon Mills, to take on role as Chair
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Jan Gooding steps down after six year term and remains on the Board as a Trustee
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Sheldon Mills is the first person of colour appointed as Stonewall’s Chair
Stonewall, Britain’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality, is delighted to announce the appointment of its new Chair of Trustees, Sheldon Mills.
Sheldon succeeds Jan Gooding, who stepped down from her role as Chair at the board meeting on Tuesday 28 April after completing six years of service.
Jan initially started on Stonewall’s board in April 2013 and was elected Chair in April 2014. She will be staying on the board as a trustee.
After being confirmed as Chair last night, Sheldon has become the first person of colour appointed to this role. He is also Stonewall’s longest-standing trustee, having first joined the board in January 2013.
During this time, he has been involved in Stonewall’s decision to become a trans-inclusive organisation in 2015 and has long supported the charity’s ground-breaking partnership with UK Black Pride.
He has been integral in the recruitment of a new CEO, and will play a key role in their introduction to the organisation when they begin in June.
Sheldon is the interim Executive Director of Strategy and Competition at the Financial Conduct Authority where he leads a division working on consumer, competition and wholesale policy in financial services.
Stonewall will be recruiting for new trustees later this year.
Sheldon Mills, incoming Chair of Stonewall’s Board of Trustees, said: ‘I’m hugely excited and proud to be appointed Chair. Jan has shown tremendous leadership through her tenure as Chair and I’m grateful she’ll be staying on the board as we enter a new chapter in Stonewall’s history.
‘Right now, we’re all living through extraordinarily challenging times, but we know minority communities are often the hardest hit in a crisis, so the need for Stonewall has arguably never been greater.
'If the history of our movement teaches us anything, it’s that the LGBT community is at its strongest and most resilient, when we stick together and look out for one another.
‘Whether you’re a working-class lesbian of colour up in Dundee, a trans man living in Aberystwyth or a bi refugee who’s just arrived in the UK, Stonewall is here to fight for you. Every one of our struggles to be accepted for who we are is connected and together, we will build a more equal world for us all.’
‘Thank you, Jan, for all that you’ve taught me these past seven years and the work you’ve done to make the world a better place for LGBT people.’
Jan Gooding, outgoing Chair of Stonewall’s Board of Trustees, said: ‘I joined a very different Stonewall seven years ago, and I’m so proud of how far we’ve come and the work we now do to fight for the equality of all LGBT people.
'It’s not always been an easy or comfortable journey, but it’s only made us stronger and more united in our mission to change the world.
‘Sheldon has been with me every step of the way and I have no doubt he’s ready to take the reins. He is an inspiring leader with a deep passion and understanding of the issues facing LGBT people and the vital role Stonewall can play in making a difference.
‘Stonewall’s work won’t be finished until every lesbian, gay, bi and trans person is accepted without exception and I look forward to seeing how the charity continues to go from strength to strength in the years to come.’
Tracey Burley, Chief Operating Officer, Stonewall said: ‘We’re thrilled that Sheldon is taking over as Chair, while Jan remains on our Board as a Trustee. Sheldon’s extensive knowledge and understanding of Stonewall, including our work and history, will be invaluable as we navigate these challenging times and bring in our new Chief Executive.
'All of us at Stonewall are grateful to Jan for her service as Chair and her commitment to making the charity the best it could possibly be. I look forward to working with Sheldon, along with the rest of the Board, to make sure that our work has the biggest impact supporting LGBT communities now and in the future.’
