Our new chair of the Board of Trustees
Mark Goodridge will retire as chair in October, and Gary Shaughnessy has been elected as his successor.
The Parkinson’s UK Board of Trustees is delighted to share the news that it has elected Gary Shaughnessy, trustee since October 2018, to take over as chair when Mark retires. Mark will stand down at this year's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 12 October.
Our new chair
Gary was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015 and brings invaluable experience not only from his successful career in the insurance and financial services industries, but also as Chairman of the Zurich Foundation.
Gary is a passionate advocate for the benefits of physical activity and exercise in managing Parkinson’s symptoms. Throughout this year, Gary and his wife Janet have been taking on a series of challenges, aiming to raise £30,000 for Parkinson’s UK and the Z Zurich Foundation. Just last month, he completed a 1,340km charity bike ride from Zurich in Switzerland to his home in Ashford Hill.
More urgency around action
Gary says “My aim is to be open and listen as much as possible, but also to bring together the views and tremendous expertise of the Parkinson’s UK staff, volunteers and the medical community.
“I want to create even more urgency around action on a condition that isn’t well understood but is impacting more and more people.
While we don’t yet have a cure, the steps being taken and support available give me real optimism for the future.”
Other changes to the Board of Trustees
In addition, Mary Whyham who has been our vice chair for the past four years is standing down at this year's AGM. The board will elect a vice chair later in the year after the election of new trustees.
Steve Ford, CEO, says “It has been a real privilege to work with Mark and Mary for the last few years and I'm looking forward to working with Gary in his new leadership role.”
Mark Goodridge, our current chair says “It gives me great pleasure to be handing over to Gary. We have a strong and capable board, passionate about the cause, finding a cure, and providing better care. Gary will give us the leadership and oversight needed to achieve the largest impact.
It has been a great privilege to serve the charity for the last 10 years as a trustee. We have come a long way in that time and we're all so conscious that we still have a long way to go.”