Board of Trustees
What is STAR’s Board of Trustees?
STAR’s Board of Trustees is the governing body of STAR as a national charity. The role of the Board of Trustees is to ensure that STAR’s resources are used to pursue the organisational aims and objectives of STAR safely and lawfully.
What do members of the Board do?
The Board of Trustees meets quarterly and its responsibilities include translating the aims and objectives of the charity into action, maintenance and oversight of STAR’s funds and appointing and managing STAR’s Chief Executive.
Who can be a Trustee?
You can! The majority of Trustees are recruited because they bring specific skills to the Board. We want STAR students to be represented so places are reserved for current student members. To be a student Trustee, you just need to:
- be passionate about STAR
- be keen to learn about charity governance including finances, fundraising and organising the Annual General Meeting
- have experience of being a STAR member: campaigning, awareness raising and providing practical support for refugees and asylum seekers
- be interested in making a real contribution to STAR and ensuring that it is accountable to its members
We would love to hear from you if you are interested in joining the Board, or want to recommend someone you know – please contact the national office.
Who is on the current Board of Trustees?
Current STAR Trustees are:
James Osborne, Chair
James’ background is as a fundraiser, but he is currently studying full-time with the Open University, focusing on international development and the environment. As Secretary, his role is to help organise and minute trustee meetings and the AGM. He has worked and volunteered for a range of charities, including Oxfam, Third World First, and the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture.
Bryony Hutt, Student Trustee
Bryony studies English Literature at the University of Bristol. She has only been an active member of Star since 2008 but, in addition to being student representative on the board, she is now President of the Bristol STAR group. Bryony volunteers at the Refugee Welcome Centre in Bristol and has recently begun facilitating interactive sessions in schools as part of Positive Images, a new anti-stigma project set up by the Red Cross.
Ahmed Shazad, Trustee
Ahmed joined the board of trustees in 2009. He is a member of Brighter Futures, a self-advocacy group of young refugees and asylum-seekers. Brighter Futures is campaigning for: access to higher education; right to work; and racist bullying. He has been volunteering since 2002 with various charities and currently a member of DareLondon (London’s youth advisory board).
Jennifer Hancox, Trustee
Jennifer joined the Board of Trustees in 2009.
Biography pending
Beryl Randall, Trustee
Beryl joined the Board of Trustees in summer 2010.
Beryl has been Director of Employability Forum since 2008, an independent organisation that promotes the employment of refugees. She initially joined the organisation from Reed Executive in 2001, where she gained experience in high street recruitment and welfare to work programmes. Beryl is a mentor through the Leaders Together programme, a Common Purpose student and has founded a support group for leaders in the voluntary sector.
