Our Trustees

Dave has lived in Newham for almost 40 years having moved here with his partner in 1985 to work as a Housing Adviser for the council, moving on to work for the Renewal Programme for 10 years from 1987 to set up and develop Newham Care & Repair.

Dave’s work background includes a variety of roles in both the statutory and voluntary sectors, largely focused on housing and social care. In the statutory sector, as well as having worked as a Housing Adviser for Newham council, he has worked as a commissioner of social care services for adults with learning disabilities. His work experience in the voluntary sector includes a senior management role in a national charity as well as managing a funding programme for Care & Repair England, a small national charity developing housing and care options advice services for older people. He currently works as the London and South-East Regional Adviser for Foundations, the national body for home improvement agencies and adaptations’ services. He has also served on the boards of both local and national organisations including 6 years on the Board of Charities Evaluation Services, now part of NCVO.

Dave has been actively involved in Newham for many years and he is currently part of a local voluntary group which runs a weekly organic vegetable stall at Woodgrange Market.

Dave is a former member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and has an MSc in international development and an MSc in voluntary sector organisation. He is also a trustee of a charity supporting small scale development projects in rural Kenya.

Amma is the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. As a housing professional for 20 years, Amma has worked for number of local authorities in London and understands the need to deliver services with limited resources to meet the needs of residents. She has been part of senior management teams within Housing Services and responsible for the strategic direction of housing services.

Ifeoma is the Treasurer of the Board and is a chartered accountant with experience in the banking industry. She joined the board of Trustees of the Renewal Programme because our mission and values aligned with her own. She believes the organisation is bringing change to the community.

Arnold is a retired lawyer who has lived in Newham for over 40 years. He has been on the Board of the Trustees for the Renewal Programme for over 10 years and became Chair in October 2018. He has recently stepped down from this position, but remains a vital member of the Renewal Programme

Sanjay has been involved with the Renewal Programme since September 2021 having taken part in the charity’s 50th anniversary cycle ride around Newham and has been a member of the Board of Trustees since November 2023.

Having grown up in Newham, Sanjay has a close affinity with the borough and has seen the positive effect the charity has had on its residents.

Working as a lawyer with expertise in commercial real estate, Sanjay believes the skills he has attained will assist the charity in achieving its vision and mission.

Molly is a PRINCE 2 qualified finance professional at a global investment bank, currently working in the risk and control division. She has over eight years’ experience in investment banking in roles ranging from risk, settlements, reconciliations, change management and project work.

She was born and bred in East London and has recently become an active volunteer in the community. Her inspiration for joining the Board of Trustees at the Renewal Programme lies in her belief that, in this day and age, people are living, learning and negotiating their lives in an increasingly complex and challenging world.

She is passionate about helping to reduce some of these challenges people face and working alongside The Renewal Programme helps to empower individuals to do just this.

Alex is an IT product owner and digital entrepreneur. He aspired to join the Renewal Programme board because he was impressed by the breadth of the initiatives it offers and its streamlined approach in helping people that experience difficulties regain their confidence and get back on their feet.

Ian has held senior positions in customer service, IT governance, security and risk management. He has lived in Newham for over 40 years. An immigrant from the West Indies. Ian was educated and worked in the borough; he loves the people, culture and environment, but realises we can do a lot better. He supports the values and beliefs of the Renewal Programme in providing targeted support, education and advice to help people achieve their potential.

Romit Bhandari is an experienced legal academic, currently working in East London. He is a Senior Lecturer in International law, who has published widely on human rights and refugee law and has taught for over a decade at several UK Higher Education Institutions. He has worked as a consultant for several think tanks and media organisations. Having previously collaborated with the Renewal Programme’s Immigration Advice Centre at UEL, he was keen to join to provide strategic direction on the RP’s immigration and adult learning initiatives within the borough