Robert Parkinson steps down as Ormiston Families Chair

After completing a full term as a Trustee, and ensuring the Board has selected his successor, Ormiston Families’ Chair Robert Parkinson has now stepped down from the position to pursue fresh challenges.

At his final Board meeting , Robert praised staff across the organisation for their professionalism and compassionate commitment to delivering services to so many children, young people and families, many of whom are at their most vulnerable when first introduced to Ormiston Families.

Under his stewardship, Ormiston Families’ services have expanded across the region and several new initiatives have been developed to help many thousands of families feel safer, healthier and more resilient. The Board extend their thanks to Robert for his calm, balanced and dedicated leadership and wish him well in his future endeavours. Later on this year, his successor Gail Tolley will be taking over as Chair. In the interim, Miranda Kendall will provide cover in her role as Vice Chair.

Gail is already well known to Ormiston Families in her role as trustee since March 2018.  With a distinguished career as a senior practitioner in education, and then a director of services for Children and Young People both at the London Borough of Brent, Milton Keynes Council and the London Borough of Camden, Gail has deep experience in the challenges faced by young people and families.  She is currently chairing the 2022/23 Education Commission for Oxfordshire County Council and on completion she will then take up her new position as Chair of Ormiston Families.