Beyond Conflict is pleased to announce a Board reshuffle.

July 2024

Our Founding Chairman Edmund Newell will be stepping down as Chair for a period but remain on as a trustee. Gillian Dare and Luke Tomkins will step up as Co-Chairs and Adam Perkins takes over from Luke as Treasurer.

Founder/Director Edna Fernandes said: “Thank you Ed for your leadership, passion and hard work as our first Chair and we are delighted that you can remain on as trustee. The Charity remains indebted to you for your service. Beyond Conflict is proud to announce Gillian and Luke as our new interim Co-Chairs and Adam as Treasurer as we enter a new phase of development. We are fortunate to have people with world class expertise and experience who are well placed to take the Charity forward. Adam takes over from Luke who has done an outstanding job as Treasurer for several years now.”

Co-Chair Gillian said: “I am delighted to be taking on the Co-Chairmanship of Beyond Conflict alongside Luke Tomkins, although it is a great responsibility. Having spent a great deal of my professional life working in conflict zones, I witnessed at first hand the depth and extent of trauma suffered by innocent citizens, men, women and children. I have a deep sympathy and admiration for the courage and resilience of those who survive. The programmes facilitated by Beyond Conflict are critical to the people of these countries. Helping people to deal with their trauma and mental health is the very first vital step to rebuild lives and communities once a measure of peace is established and helping to restore peace and normality. I am also very pleased that we in Beyond Conflict, are among the few organisations who also address the trauma of those who minister to the victims: doctors and other medical staff and volunteers, emergency and frontline humanitarian workers are often the most neglected. Working with our local partners in Iraq, in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, Ukraine, the West Bank and Israel we have sought to help these brave and selfless people. I am glad and privileged to serve.”

Co-Chair Luke said: “I am honoured to be taking up the role of co-chair, alongside Gillian, who brings a lifetime of experience working in the charity sector. In my career to date I have provided strategic insight to some of the UK’s biggest companies and I will be looking to leverage these skills to guide Beyond Conflict as we continue to grow and develop. Mental health has seen a growing focus in many areas of life over the last 20 years. However, people living in post-conflict zones, who in some cases have lived through extremely traumatic experiences, tend to have no access to even basic mental health support. I am therefore extremely happy to have the opportunity to drive forward the great work being done by Beyond Conflict in ensuring this support is made available to everyone who needs it.”

Treasurer, Adam said: “I am delighted to take up the role of Treasurer and build on Luke’s hard work and dedication. I look forward to further supporting the vital work being done to help the most vulnerable victims of war and displacement in this way. “