Our new trustees

Before we introduce our new Trustees, we must acknowledge all those who have given so generously of their time over the last few years. Fastn is more grateful for their support and insight than words or a webpage could properly illustrate. Our previous Trustees, funders and friends of the charity have guided us through inspirational change and helped us deliver some remarkable successes. 

Our new trustees have some big shoes to fill. We are grateful, as ever,  for the continued support and guidance from the staff and trustees at the Oglesby Charitable Trust in making the changes we have over the previous quarters; their input and that of previous trustees has been hugely beneficial to the organisation.

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Meet the trustees!

Name: Jonathan Beak

Day job: Lawyer

Who’s your family?
My husband, daughter, parents, mother in law, brother and sister in law

What do you do in your free time? 
I like pushing myself to keep as fit as I can, I like boating and doing things that Covid won’t allow at the moment

What made you want to become a trustee?
I wanted to use some of the business skills I have learned to help a not for profit organisation

Why choose Fastn? 
I like its mission – as some families struggle more now than ever and young people have fewer opportunities to connect, its very easy to forget the basics of what makes a good relationship and why that is important.  Fastn’s constant reminder of the importance of dependable relationships is more vital now than ever

What do you want to achieve with Fastn?
I would like us to be a dynamic, engaged group of trustees.  I want to help Fastn demonstrate the importance of its advocacy role. 

What is your relationship rock or role model? 
My dad – solid, dependable and a very nice man

Name: Anbreen Bi 

Day job:
I work as a junior doctor in London in the National Health Service and have just completed a masters in Psychiatric Research. 

Who’s your family? 
I grew up in Birmingham with my Mum and younger sister. 

What do you do in your free time? 
I spend my weekday evenings baking or going for a run. My ideal weekends are spent hiking or camping and spending time with family and friends. 

What made you want to become a trustee? 

I benefitted enormously from charities growing up and recognise the important role they play in society. I’ve volunteered for a number of charities since I was 16 and I am keen to apply my professional skills in a trustee position. Just 3 per cent of charity trustees are under 30, just 8 per cent are from Black and Asian backgrounds and less than 3 per cent are women of colour. I am all three and I am determined to create change that lasts.  

Why choose Fastn? 
I believe everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from nurturing, inclusive and healthy relationships.

Fastn believes that investing in dependable relationships from an early age can help people thrive throughout life. It is an approach that resonated with me. I believe positive relationships are about being open and honest with people that you trust and offering reciprocal support. I am invested in my family and friends’ growth and I know they are invested in mine. 

What do you want to achieve with Fastn? 
I want voices like mine to be heard and to encourage others to make their voices heard too. More than anything, I want to open the door for other minorities and young people to make a real difference to people’s lives. 

Who is your relationship rock or role model? 
I know that I can always turn to my mum and sister for unconditional love and support. They are my relationship rocks. They encouraged me to believe in myself, and are there whenever I need them.  

Name: Hana Cornwall

Day job: Management Consultant. I lead a team which delivers strategy and innovation workshops for a professional services firm.

Who’s your family?
My partner and our young daughter. My mum, dad (no longer with us) and brother. I have a huge extended family and have many fond childhood memories spent with my cousins. I count my closest friends as family as I've known them for the majority of my life.

What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy the outdoors, new culinary experiences, film and dance.

What made you want to become a trustee?
I wanted to apply my skills gained from working in the public and private sector to influence the strategy of a charity.

Why choose Fastn?
Fastn is one of a kind! When I reflected on my life; what has kept me centred, what has encouraged me to broaden my thinking, and what has opened doors for me are the relationships I have built and sustained.

What do you want to achieve with FASTN?
I would like to extend Fastn's reach. The fantastic work Fastn does should be built in at all levels of society: government policy, home, work, school to name a few. We should not take relationships for granted and being able to develop and sustain healthy and dependable relationships is of huge benefit, not only as individuals but to our communities.

What is your relationship rock or role model?
My best friend is both a rock and a role model. We've always had honest communication, openness and trust. She's lots of fun and is always able to encourage me to consider other perspectives.

Name: Julie Nash

Day job: Retired secondary Headteacher and Inspector/volunteer

Who’s your family?
Husband, Mal; daughter, Beth (a solicitor); my mum, Lucie; my sister, Nic and our dog, Harry the schnauzer! 

What do you do in your free time?
Crafts; I make jewellery, crochet and sew. Love reading and of course, volunteer!

What made you want to become a trustee?
Whilst I decided to retire, I still felt I had the energy, enthusiasm and skills to offer other organisations as a volunteer. I am a school governor, which I really enjoy and recently joined the board of Plymouth Children in Poverty and have enjoyed the different way of working, so, decided I could offer more time to others.

Why choose Fastn?
Relationships matter; this was my mantra to any teacher who were having trouble with children in class. To find a charity who’s single focus so closely matches my own priorities... well, it seemed like a perfect fit!

What do you want to achieve with Fastn?
To be able to best support its values and the outcomes of these as a result; to promote the importance of positive, nurturing relationships on life chances.

What is your relationship rock or role model?
My dad; sadly, he’s no longer with us, but my dad would do anything to build positive relationships built on trust, compromise and love.