I have been a Trustee at BowHaven since March 2014 and Chair of Trustees since May 2020.

I have worked in the events industry for most of my professional life and been very fortunate to have travelled extensively, organising and managing large scale events for corporate clients. After volunteering for AGE UK and VSO I decided that I wanted to be a trustee in my local area for a worthwhile cause. Becoming a trustee is an important commitment in terms of both time and responsibility, but as soon as I walked into BowHaven, I knew it was very special. I am proud to be a part of this unique, inspiring and much needed space in the area.

Being part of an international firm of corporate treasury consultants for over twenty two years gave me the opportunity to work both with and for a huge number of different and talented people, as well as providing the chance to visit many interesting places around the world. Since retiring at the end of November 2017, I have taken a number of voluntary roles, and was pleased to be able to join the board of trustees of BowHaven in April 2019. I am delighted to be part of an organisation that has a skilled and dedicated team who work hard to provide BowHaven’s vital services in the Tower Hamlets community. Outside my volunteer work, I enjoy walking, travelling, and am an enthusiastic gardener.

I have lived and worked in Tower Hamlets for over 30 years now, almost entirely in the voluntary sector. I started my working life as a social worker, but as my political awareness developed I moved into community work and public health.

Eventually the two came together and most things I’ve done can be described as public health action, and I’ve never moved far from my base in Tower Hamlets.

I’ve been involved with BowHaven since its founder, Rita Dove, recruited me to support taking over a Social Services Mental Health Day Centre (William Place) to transform it into a User Run resource for positive well-being (BowHaven). She challenged the establishment to hand over the venue to its users, and it worked!

I would like to continue my involvement with BowHaven as a Trustee for as long as possible.

Martin is our current Member Trustee