After more than a decade involved with The Joshua Tree, Andy Seferta is stepping down as Chair of Trustees.
Andy has made a huge contribution to the charity, and we thank him for his many years of service and the huge impact he has had on the progression of The Joshua Tree.
Stepping into the role is current trustee Dr. Susan Gilby, who brings a wealth of experience and a shared passion for supporting families affected by childhood cancers.
This marks an exciting new chapter for The Joshua Tree, as the charity continues to grow and build on the strong foundations laid during Andy’s time as both trustee and chair.
Reflecting on his time with the charity, Andy shared:
“In 2013 I joined the trustee board to grow the charity, we had 6 staff, £150k income and we were just starting to help children and families. There has been so much growth, change and as Chair I am delighted with the development of the board, staff, facilities and support from volunteers, partners and the community. We have supported over 700 families (that’s around 2,500 individuals) and now have 30 staff and income of over £1m.
Having planned a smooth transition to Susan as new chair, a highly talented board, a fantastic CEO, Rich and amazing team – I am really excited to watch the charity develop further.
My proudest moment? Hearing families and our founders Dai and Lyn talk so proudly about the huge impact the expanded support centre has for children and families thanks to BBC Children in Need DIY SOS.”
On stepping into the chair role, Susan outlined:
New Chair, Dr. Susan Gilby
“I am honoured to have been appointed as Chair of the Board of Trustees for The Joshua Tree Charity. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to my fellow Trustees and members for their confidence and support in approving my appointment.
As we approach the charity’s 20th anniversary, it is both a privilege and a humbling responsibility to help guide the organisation through its next chapter. The Joshua Tree has experienced remarkable growth in recent years under the leadership of our CEO Richard Driffield and now stands proudly as a large charity, supporting families affected by childhood cancers across North West England, North Wales, and beyond. I am looking forward to ensuring that we continue to build on the strong foundations laid by Dai and Lyn Hill’s vision and their commitment to realising it.
I also wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to Andy Seferta our outgoing Chair, whose dedication and leadership has been instrumental in shaping the charity’s strategic development and strengthening our governance. I know I speak for all of my fellow trustees in thanking him for his support and guidance and for going above and beyond in his role.
With the momentum of recent achievements, including the BBC Children in Need DIY SOS project and the completion of phase two of our Cheshire Support Centre, we are in a strong position to expand our impact and ensure that every family affected by childhood cancers receive the tailored support they deserve. I look forward to working alongside our exceptional team of staff, volunteers, trustees and supporters as we continue this important work”
Susan Gilby, Chair
CEO, Richard Driffield shared:
“On behalf of all the staff, volunteers, trustees, members, supporters, and families, I would like to extend a huge thank you to Andy for his dedication, energy, and commitment to his role at The Joshua Tree. Over the past few years, we have achieved so much, and Andy has played a pivotal role in the development of the charity. It has been a pleasure to work alongside him, and I wish him every success in the future. I look forward to working closely with Susan in her new role as we move forward in our mission to support families affected by childhood cancers.”
Reflecting on his time with the charity, Andy shared:
“On behalf of all the staff, volunteers, trustees, members, supporters, and families, I would like to extend a huge thank you to Andy for his dedication, energy, and commitment to his role at The Joshua Tree. Over the past few years, we have achieved so much, and Andy has played a pivotal role in the development of the charity. It has been a pleasure to work alongside him, and I wish him every success in the future. I look forward to working closely with Susan in her new role as we move forward in our mission to support families affected by childhood cancers.”
