February 11, 2025

After completing a second term as Chairman of The BEARR Trust Nicola Ramsden stepped back from the chairmanship at the end of 2024. Under Nicola’s effective and inspiring leadership BEARR has achieved remarkable growth and successfully met the challenges of an exceptionally difficult period. Nicola has been a Trustee since 1997 and was also BEARR’s Treasurer for several years. We are delighted that she will remain a Trustee, still engaged with specific aspects of the Trust’s work.

The Trustees are delighted to welcome Ross Gill as her successor. Ross, a Trustee since 2015, has served as an energetic and dedicated Treasurer for most of that time and played no small part in BEARR’s achievements.

Nicola says:

“I’ve had the privilege of chairing The BEARR Trust for over six years and I’m very pleased that my fellow Trustees have chosen Ross Gill to succeed me. I have worked closely with Ross over this period, including on BEARR’s Ukraine and Small Grants working groups, where Ross’s experience of governance and project evaluation has been invaluable. I know that BEARR will be in good hands.

As a volunteer-led organisation, BEARR relies on attracting skilled and knowledgeable trustees, and talented young people to handle our administration. I’m looking forward to continuing to be a supporting member of this impressive team.”

Ross says:

“The BEARR Trust has a unique role in supporting grassroots community organisations to make a real difference on the ground. With Nicola’s commitment and leadership, we have demonstrated how we can adapt and grow in response to crisis. Nicola will be a very hard act to follow, but robust civil society is needed more than ever, and all the trustees look forward to building on the great contribution that she has made, continuing our thirty years of practical and flexible support.”