Our Directors & Trustees
Sara Thakkar
Chief Executive
Sara is a recognised senior leader. She has rich and diverse experiences within the public, private, enterprise and third sector. Her leadership roles have been grounded in the commitment to tackle injustice and equality and her approaches reflect an ability to work alongside people and communities to develop their roots; to bring a sense of identity, choice and belonging. Sara is equally passionate in her approach to build on individuals and communities wings; co-creating the art of the possible to make a real and lasting positive difference. She recognises that roots keep us grounded and wings give us flexibility and freedom.
She began her career in education and family support, working with families with complex needs within communities affected by significant disadvantage. She has spent the last 20 years undertaking a number of CEO roles in community-focussed third sector organisations across the country. She has extensive experience in providing high-quality care and support services, strategic communications and change management, new homes development and land management.
Sara brings a commercial head and a social heart to the Trust. Her business and finance qualifications support her approach to balancing fiscal oversight with clarity of purpose. She is a highly experienced non-executive having held a number of Board and Trustee roles throughout her career and has undertaken a number of governance advisory roles across a range of sectors. She is currently a Board member for a Housing Association and the Chair of a Business Enterprise Agency.
Directors
Andrew Meyer, Operations Director
Andrew is a highly experienced professional within the care and social housing environments, having held roles within both large and smaller providers since 2003, including a spell in Australia.
He is skilled in leading change and transformation in complex organisations and has a particular interest in Domestic Abuse, Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) and Safeguarding and where in 2020, he led Orbit Housing Association to become the first registered provider to achieve ‘Leaders in Safeguarding’ accreditation, followed just 12 months later by ‘Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA)’ accreditation.
John Nixon, Interim Finance Director
John is an experienced finance professional and has been engaged nationally and internationally at director level with commercial businesses for over 40 years. His background has incorporated B2B activities in manufacturing as well as service sectors, primarily with owner managed businesses, and small to large entities. He has spent 6 years with Remploy, a non-departmental public body involved in the provision of employment services for disabled persons. This supplemented 12 years executive service with the Pertemps Group.
Trustees
Michael Nutt, Chair of Trustees
Michael has a strong track record in leadership roles in both the healthcare and business sectors and is currently chair of Bromley...
Dr Ann Kenney
Dr Ann Kenney has over 20 years experience in the charitable sector at a senior level, and a keen interest in fundraising.
Tim Bishop
Tim Bishop has more than 40 years of experience working in health and social care and will be using this experience as a Trustee. Tim has held senior roles in adult social care and within NHS organisations, and is currently the Independent Chair of the Northamptonshire Safeguarding Adults Board, a Lay Member on the Governing Body of the West Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group and an Non-Executive Director on the board of Optalis a Local Authority Trading company that provides social care in Berkshire.
Steve Godwin
Steve’s connection to the charity is through his daughter who has been a resident in a Camphill Village Trust Community for many years. Steve is the principal of a professional advisory service is experienced in management, strategic planning, marketing, business development and innovation, sustainable growth and social enterprise. Steve oversaw the appointment of the charity’s first social enterprise role and will continue to contribute to the development of social and income generation enterprises across the charity.
Karen Walker
Karen's sister lives in the Grange Community and has been in Camphill for over forty years. Karen has had a long career in education and is now the Regional Director for a large multi academy trust. She is committed to improving the education and life chances for all, including the most vulnerable children, and helping them realise their potential.
Jean Henderson
Jean is a qualified social worker and has extensive senior management experience within both the statutory and voluntary sector. She brings a comprehensive understanding of health and social care service provision, and volunteering, to Camphill Village Trust.
Lindsey Wishart
Lindsey is a qualified accountant with an established career in finance within social services. She also has significant experience in the financial governance of national not for profit learning disability organisations. She is committed to supporting people to find good outcomes in their lives and recognising the skills and assets that each person has.
Jeremy Young
Jeremy is a Marine Biologist. Camphill Village Trust he says provides communities in which people can flourish and support each other, enjoying companionship and contributing meaningfully rather than just being cared for. Jeremy is also keen is keen to encourage community members to participate better in the wider community. His son lives in a Camphill community.