Community Action Redbridge Welcomes New Chair

Community Action Redbridge is delighted to announce the appointment of Mita Desai as the charity’s new Chair of Trustees.

Mita is a Redbridge resident, CEO of the Young Trustees Movement and former Chair of Trustees at the British Youth Council.

She succeeds Val Cummins who stepped down at the Community Action Redbridge AGM in February, having reached the end of her term after eight years as a trustee, including six years as Chair of the Board.

On her appointment, Mita said:

“From the days spent in my grandparents' corner shop meeting customers, to forming lifelong friendships in school, and now, raising my son in this vibrant community, my ties to Redbridge run deep. It is an immense privilege to serve as Chair of a charity that supports our local community to lead lives filled with happiness, health, and fulfilment. As a trustee, I have been so inspired by the dedication and talent of our staff, volunteers and members. As Chair, I look forward to deepening those relationships and collaborating more closely. It's incredibly exciting to think about what Community Action Redbridge will achieve with our ambitious and bold strategy. We have big goals, and I can't wait to see the good we can do together in the coming years”.

Reflecting on her time at Community Action Redbridge, Val said:

“I am very proud of what the Board of Trustees and our dynamic team have achieved during my time with the charity. It has been a privilege and pleasure to work alongside such dedicated people and to achieve our goal of delivering significant transformation. I know that under the outstanding leadership of our CEO, Community Action Redbridge will continue to develop and strive to meet the needs of our members and the wider communities of Redbridge. I want to wish Mita all the very best in her new role. Mita’s energy and enthusiasm for our work will ensure that Community Action Redbridge delivers our new and exciting vision for the future”

On behalf of the Community Action Redbridge team, CEO Jenny Ellis added:

“We are thrilled to welcome Mita as our new Chair. She brings a wealth of experience of innovation in governance and a strong commitment to social justice. Along with her experience and skills, Mita also brings an empowering, warm, and inclusive approach to leadership. We are very much looking forward to working with her in her new role as Chair. We are also incredibly grateful to Val for her unwavering support over the last eight years. During her time as Chair, Community Action Redbridge has gone from strength to strength in the face of some unprecedented challenges. Val leaves Community Action Redbridge in a strong position, ready to embark on an exciting new chapter. We are hugely grateful for everything she has helped us to accomplish”.