Chair of the Board Expand Marie-Louise Nolan Marie-Louise has been on the Board of Harrow Mencap since 2006, becoming Chair 8 years ago. She taught for 17 years in primary, secondary and further education, specialising in special educational needs. She has worked in the community for over 30 years and was a local councillor for 8 years. During that time she chaired the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee and was Portfolio Holder for Communication, HR and Partnership. She has also worked in local government, Parliament and trade unions. Marie-Louise is currently a National Leader of Governance supporting schools across North West London and a director of two multi-academy trusts. As a local councillor, she became aware of Harrow Mencap and in particular, its campaign work. Marie-Louise is passionate about making sure that people with learning disabilities’ voices are heard and their rights and aspirations are fully met. In her ‘spare’ time Marie-Louise enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially her little grandson, gardening, walking, yoga, cinema, theatre, watching rugby and is a keen Bruce Springsteen fan.
Trustee - Avis Robinson Expand Avis Robinson Avis is an experienced PR Consultant with over 30 years in the PR Industry working primarily for large corporate entities. She has volunteered with Harrow Mencap since 2016 helping to publicise our work and services. Avis became a trustee because she was impressed with the way the charity operates in the community, with its clients as well as the wider community. Using her commerical knowledge, communications skills, contacts and experience to raise awareness of the services that Harrow Mencap provides.
Trustee - David House Expand David House David has been engaged with Harrow Mencap for over 20 years both as a volunteer and as an employee. He is an ambassador, self-advocate and an expert by experience in ensuring the voice of others is heard. He initially worked as a Person Centred Planning Support Worker, supporting people with a learning disability to help them develop their personal plans. He then went on to work with groups of people to develop their skills and support them into getting paid work. He is a passionate campaigner and has a key part to play in bringing people together to ensure that their voice is heard and that people have choices in how they live their lives. David is a keen Star Trek and Dr Who fan and also enjoys walking, keeping fit and cooking.
Trustee - Hazel Paterson Expand Hazel Paterson Hazel works in education and is the Headteacher at Kingsley High School, which is one of the local authority’s special schools for young people aged 11-19. She is passionate about working with children who did not always find learning easy and during her time there became aware of and was interested in the work of Harrow Mencap. Hazel became a trustee as she believes in the practice, goals, vision and values of Harrow Mencap and its attitude toward people with learning disabilities. She lives in Harrow, is an Arsenal supporter, enjoying outdoor pursuits (running, gardening, walking, water sports).
Trustee - Rikesh Tailor Expand Rikesh Tailor Rikesh joined Harrow Mencap as a trustee in 2015 and served as Treasurer from 2016-2019. He has worked as a manager for Barclays Bank for 10 years. Rikesh is married with two children. "I am very passionate about my work and the development of my colleagues". "My biggest achievement is walking from London to Brighton it took me 30 hours and was well worth the experience".
Treasurer - Barry Pritchard Expand Barry Pritchard Barry joined Harrow Mencap as a trustee in 2018 and became treasurer in 2019. He is a Business and Corporate Bank Manager for the Royal Bank of Scotland, with 30 years experience. Specialising in supporting businesses and helping them overcome the numerous hurdles that a modern business faces to achieve their aspirations. A keen golfer and cyclist he can be found most weekends on his bike in the Chiltern Hills.
Vice Chair - Ash Verma Expand Ash Verma Ash has been involved with Harrow Mencap for several years, becoming the Vice Chair in 2018. He is a “social entrepreneur”, businessman and former senior British civil servant, with over forty-five years experience in leading and delivering various British Government policy and funding initiatives and programmes, especially economic development, infrastructure and community cohesion. Ash has also pioneered international trade and investment support initiatives for small and medium sized enterprises in the UK and overseas. Ash is passionate about bringing business and communities together for good causes and broadening his knowledge and experience of the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society. Ash is keen to contribute to the business development of the Harrow Mencap Group, by sharing his extensive personal, consultancy and business experience.