St John’s Foundation, which is Bath’s oldest charity, has announced Sandra Forbes as its new Chair of Trustees.
Sandra Forbes | Photo © St John’s Foundation
Sandra has a distinguished banking and corporate lawyer with a proven track record in senior leadership positions.
As St John’s Foundation concludes celebrations of its 850th year, Forbes will bring a new perspective that will help guide the charity into the future and through the second half of its current strategy.
Alongside almshouse provision and supporting children and families, the strategy has a key focus on narrowing the academic attainment gap at the end of Key Stage 2.
The charity’s ‘Best Start in Life’ initiative works closely with local primary schools, early years settings, and partners to provide targeted support that ensures every child under 12 has the opportunity to grow up healthy, happy, and well-educated.
Forbes brings an impressive track record, including 18 years as a partner at the national law firm Burges Salmon LLP.
Over the past decade, she has held senior leadership roles as Group General Counsel and Company Secretary at National Express Group plc (now Mobico Group PLC) and Rotork plc.
Forbes currently serves as a Board Director at Bath’s Holburne Museum and previously dedicated eight years as a Governor at the University of the West of England, where she also served as Deputy Chair of Governors.
Having lived in Bath for over 25 years, Forbes has developed a profound understanding of the challenges facing communities and the inequalities that persist across the region.
Ms Forbes said: “I feel privileged to become Chair of a charity with such a long and rich history, yet one that remains firmly focused on supporting its community both now and into the future.
“As we celebrate our 850th anniversary, we aim to build on the successes of the past five years and expand our vital support to all of St John’s beneficiaries across the region.
“I look forward to playing my part in this next stage of the journey and contributing to its continued success.”
The charity supports older adults in the community with almshouse accommodation and outreach services and is working to foster an age-friendly community, in collaboration with organisations such as Age UK.
Another key strand of work is to support individuals and families that have reached a point of crisis through the organisation’s Crisis Programme.
Catharine Brown, Interim CEO at St John’s Foundation, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sandra as the charity’s new Chair of Trustees. She brings not only a wealth of professional experience but also a forward-thinking perspective.
“This will be invaluable to the charity as we push forward with our important work to support all our beneficiaries, whilst also nurturing the people, partners and culture at St John’s.”
