Amanda Gethin
What do you do in your role as trustee at Become? As a Trustee to Become, my role is to support the Chief Executive and her team in the execution of the strategy and vision for the charity. Along with my Board colleagues, I look to provide support and healthy challenge to ensure that the charity is the best that it can be. Given my background, part of my contribution will be to specifically support the People Officer for Become and to offer insight and advice as appropriate on employee related initiatives and activities.
Can you say a bit about your relevant experience and qualifications? As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, I have extensive experience across all dimensions of the people agenda. I am currently Global Talent Lead at a global professional services firm. A large part of my role is focused on driving a holistic and integrated talent strategy, designed to ensure the continued success of Consulting professionals and the overall business. I have had previous experience both as a Trustee and school governor.
What do you like about being a trustee at Become? I was attracted to this small but mighty charity, because of the way that it puts the care experienced young people at the heart of what it does. So often, whilst well-meaning and mostly with good intent, institutions of all sorts think that they ‘know best’ and therefore do not listen to the very people they are trying to help. This is not the case with Become. The voice of those who are care-experienced is heard throughout and especially when it comes to the work that it does. For me, this feels like the right order of things if we are to have impact that is meaningful and lasting for this community.
What drives you? I have always believed that by enabling equitable access and opportunities for all we create a society where everyone has the chance to be the best that they can be, no matter their starting point. For me this is common sense – that said, if there is one thing I have learned over the decades, it is that common sense is not all that common! I am motivated therefore by my role as Trustee at Become as it allows me to contribute to making social mobility a reality for an important community of young people whose voice can often go unheard and lived experience be ignored.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I enjoy cooking – I like trying new things and love learning from my son who has worked as a chef! I love to spend time with friends and family (who also get to enjoy (??) the cooking!). I try to go to the theatre as often as I can – often to smaller venues to see new plays. I am not one for exercise (tho I should do more) preferring yoga (the relaxing kind) and horse riding (where the horse does most of the work)