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Jan Gooding steps down as chair of Stonewall

Jan Gooding steps down as chair of Stonewall

Stonewall, the charity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality, has announced the appointment of its new chair of trustees, Sheldon Mills.

Sheldon succeeds Jan Gooding, who stepped down from her role this week after completing six years of service.

Gooding, a regular Mediatel News columnist, initially started on Stonewall’s board in April 2013 and was elected chair in April 2014. She will be staying on the board as a trustee.

Sheldon has become the first person of colour appointed to this role. He is also Stonewall’s longest-standing trustee, having first joined the board in January 2013. During this time, he has been involved in Stonewall’s decision to become a trans-inclusive organisation in 2015 and has long supported the charity’s ground-breaking partnership with UK Black Pride.

He has been integral in the recruitment of a new CEO, and will play a key role in their introduction to the organisation when they begin in June.

Sheldon is the interim executive director of strategy and competition at the Financial Conduct Authority where he leads a division working on consumer, competition and wholesale policy in financial services.

Meanwhile, Jan Gooding is one of the UK’s best-known brand marketers, having worked with the likes of BT, British Gas, Diageo, Unilever and Aviva. She is also the chair of PAMCo, Given (London), and the president of the Market Research Society. She writes for Mediatel News each month on a broad range of topics and is one of the platform’s best-read contributors.

“I joined a very different Stonewall seven years ago, and I’m so proud of how far we’ve come and the work we now do to fight for the equality of all LGBT people,” Gooding said. “It’s not always been an easy or comfortable journey, but it’s only made us stronger and more united in our mission to change the world.

“Sheldon has been with me every step of the way and I have no doubt he’s ready to take the reins. He is an inspiring leader with a deep passion and understanding of the issues facing LGBT people and the vital role Stonewall can play in making a difference.”

Mills added: “I’m hugely excited and proud to be appointed chair. Jan has shown tremendous leadership through her tenure as Chair and I’m grateful she’ll be staying on the board as we enter a new chapter in Stonewall’s history.

“Right now, we’re all living through extraordinarily challenging times, but we know minority communities are often the hardest hit in a crisis, so the need for Stonewall has arguably never been greater. If the history of our movement teaches us anything, it’s that the LGBT community is at its strongest and most resilient, when we stick together and look out for one another.”

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