Property and marketing experts join Thomas Pocklington Trust board

Date posted: 21st September 2022

Property legal expert, Adam Youatt and marketing leader, Louise Robertshaw, today joined the board at Thomas Pocklington Trust.

Jenny Pearce was also formally thanked for her decade-long contribution to the charity as she steps down from the board and her role as Deputy Chair.

 

 

Adam, a Commercial Property Solicitor and Partner at Gateley Legal, will bring his expertise and guidance to the income generation part of the charity (of which property is an important part). He has expertise in the sector having been a trustee of My Sight Notts for nine years and having lived experience.

He trained and practiced as a solicitor at Slaughter and May and Eversheds.  Subsequently he worked for a law firm in New Zealand, returning to become a Partner and Head of Property at Berryman before moving to his current role in the national law firm.

 

 

He said: “I was particularly pleased to be offered the opportunity to be involved with a national charity which has the vision of supporting blind and partially sighted people to live the life they want to lead. A vision I share.

“Being visually impaired myself, having been diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa in my 20s and registered blind in 2008, I have genuine empathy with the challenges that blind and visually impaired people face on a daily basis.”

 

 

Louise started her career as a national news journalist and has used the skills and experience she gained to change attitudes and inspire action to challenge society and support great causes. She has worked in senior positions for charities with a focus on disability, including Guide Dogs, and is currently the Group Director for Engagement at Sense and Sense International.

 

 

 

She said: “I am really excited to be joining the TPT Board and believe the charity’s focus on Employment, Education and Engagement is absolutely key to breaking down the barriers blind and partially sighted people can face when trying to live their daily lives. I look forward to making a contribution to such an important cause.”

 

Mervyn Williamson, Chair of the board, said: “Adam’s background in property law will be a real asset to our team to guide us in the management of our portfolio.  Louise, on the other hand, has so much experience in marketing, brand strategy, communications and PR. This will help us take an objective look at how we communicate and where we can improve.”

 

Mervyn added: “I am absolutely thrilled Adam and Louise will join our board.  All of our trustees give us their experience, expertise and time on a voluntary basis – for which we are incredibly grateful.”

 

 

 

Jenny Pearce, who retired from her role on the board today, has been a Trustee of TPT since 2012. She was Chief Executive of Vista, the local society supporting blind and partially sighted people in Leicestershire and Rutland, until she retired in 2012. She was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the RNIB in 2013 and the British Empire Medal in 2015.

 

 

 

 

Jenny said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with TPT and feel privileged to have been able to play a role in its development into the vibrant charity which it is today.  I will continue to follow TPT’s activities with interest, but the charity and its board have never been stronger and I feel that now is a good time for me to retire.”

 

Mervyn said: “To say Jenny will be sorely missed would be a huge understatement! She has always had a passion for what we do and shown a genuine active interest in all areas of our work.  She was instrumental in TPT’s fundamental change in direction to our focus on Education, Employment and Engagement.

“She supported both the board and executive leadership team to develop and shape services.  She has also been at the forefront of our safeguarding work and chaired the sector rehabilitation group.

“Put simply, we will miss her energy, empathy and sound advice.”