Homeless veterans’ charity Launchpad has appointed four new Trustees to its Board.
Chris Smith, Aaron Sahota, Ian Dormer CBE and Katherine McGough have been appointed as Trustees of the charity, following interviews with existing Board members and chief executive.
The appointments were approved by existing Trustees at their last meeting in November and it now takes current membership to ten.
The charity provides vital accommodation and targeted support to UK Armed Forces’ veterans who have experienced homelessness and have struggled with the transition into civilian life.
Launchpad manages three houses in the North of England in Newcastle upon Tyne, Liverpool and Durham and accepts veterans from all over the UK. It provides accommodation for 98 homeless veterans at any one time. Demand for specialist veteran’s accommodation and services is increasing, with 361 homeless veterans’ approaching, or being referred to Launchpad in 2024 alone.
Ian Dormer CBE has a diverse background in public service, education and engineering. He serves as an independent member of the Audit & Risk Committee for Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council and is Director of Herbert Dove Trustees, overseeing JT Dove – a significant builder’s merchant.
Ian is also the managing director and owner of Rosh Engineering Ltd which specialises in high-voltage equipment across the UK and Northern Europe.
His previous leadership roles extend to the educational sector as Chair of the Primary Science Teaching Trust and Non-Executive Chair of Newcastle College. With experience on various boards, including the Institute of Directors and Regional Development Agency ONE North East, Ian combines strategic oversight with entrepreneurial acumen, making him a prominent figure in both for-profit and non-profit sectors.
Katherine McGough is a highly experienced professional with Human Resources and Organisational Development experience, particularly in the housing sector where she is currently Director of People Services at North Star Housing Group, a role she has held for almost 13 years.
She has also owned her own business offering HR, coaching and training to North East businesses and held various senior roles. Katherine’s expertise encompasses strategic change management, policy development and performance management and this will be her first non-executive role.
Aaron Sahota currently works as a senior manager at PwC – a leading global firm in professional services and consulting. His experience encompasses managing significant accounts in the financial sector, particularly with a UK retail bank, and implementing large-scale transformations.
He specialises in internal audits and health & safety and has worked in regulated environments in the public sector. His appointment as a Trustee of Launchpad is his first non-executive role.
Chris Smith is an accomplished executive with over 38 years’ experience in the social housing sector, 20 of which have been at a senior level as Director of Service in various functions. Chris is currently employed as Deputy Chief Executive of Thirteen Housing Group and has a very impressive track record in business development and community regeneration.
Lucy Perriam, Chair of Launchpad, said:
“I am delighted to welcome our four new Trustees who each bring extensive experience, knowledge and the leadership qualities that will hugely benefit this wonderful charity, our staff and veterans.
“I’m really pleased with the quality and strength of each appointment who, together with our existing Trustees, chief executive and leadership team, will enable us to further develop Launchpad nationally and to help reduce veterans homelessness.
“I’d also like to put on record my thanks to Philip Mixer who has resigned from his position on the Board for personal reasons. Philip served as a Trustee of Launchpad for almost eight years.”
