Trustees
Julia Roberts (Chairperson)
I joined Home-Start Barnet as a trustee in 2010 then went on to become chair in 2012. I am also a consultant in the charity sector, advising not for profit organisations such as Home-Start on how to become more sustainable in an increasingly challenging funding environment. As a mum and former school governor, I know there is nothing more important than a stable family life which is why I am so keen to ensure that the impressive services we have provided locally for 20 years continue to grow and meet the demands of ever increasing numbers of vulnerable families.
Kirit Amin
I have been involved with Home-Start Barnet since 2009 mostly as a Trustee. I have a background in technology, change management and business consultancy in the private sector. I have been a programme and project manager in recent years but am now going through a career change, aspiring to have a portfolio of interests to keep me busy. I am also a Governor at Henrietta Barnett School, a volunteer with St John Ambulance and a reading partner at Frith Manor School.
HomeStart Barnet does a fantastic job on a shoestring budget. My interest is in helping HomeStart Barnet to survive and thrive. I also fully subscribe to the view that if you support vulnerable people with increasing their confidence, then self reliance becomes rooted, which reduces dependency on the State, which saves precious and scarce resources. Everybody wins!!
Sue de Botton
I have been a trustee of HSB for 6 years having completed the volunteer training course. I was all set to be a family visitor when my daughter became pregnant with twins. I thought at that point I needed to give a great deal of time and support to my daughter and her new family. I became a trustee and then joint vice Chair. I am also Chair of the staffing committee.
I have been involved in education all my professional life having started as a class teacher and finishing as a head teacher. It is a pleasure to be part of HSB which is a vibrant effective and respected organisation and I look forward to supporting the HSB in the future.
Cllr. John Marshall
John Marshall, who is a former MEP and MP, has served on Barnet Council since 1998. He is a former chair of Barnet Carers Centre and is the current chair of Barnet Blind and Partially Sighted Bowlers. He also serves on the Mitchell Educational Charity. He was Mayor of Barnet in 2008-09 and has held several other senior positions of the Council. He is currently on of the two Council appointed directors of the Barnet Group.
Sara Gilbert
I became a trustee in June 2014. I am a chartered clinical psychologist and have worked for most of my career in the NHS with people experiencing a range of different problems with their mental and physical health. I recently retired from my post as a head of a small community eating disorder service and currently work part time in independent practice. Having worked in a variety of settings with people of all ages, I am keenly aware of the importance in a person’s life of their early experience and circumstances for their future development and happiness, and I am very much looking forward to supporting Homestart in its vital work with families, young people and the wider community.
Raphael Harris
A Chartered Accountant by training, Raphael has worked for both Professional Accounting Firms and Financial Services Organisations.
Most recently he was the Finance Director of the Barclays Staff Pension Fund, where he reported to the Trustees of the Scheme. His responsibilities included the production of the Annual Report and Accounts and managing the relationship with key suppliers. He was also a Director of the in-house investment management company that looked after the assets of the scheme.
In his spare time Raphael enjoys listening to opera, crosswords and playing bridge.
