As we look back on 2024, we’re grateful to all of our trustees for their support. Special thanks to outgoing trustee, Jeremy Grint, and we extend a warm welcome to three new trustees who will join us this year.
Saying goodbye to one trustee..
Jeremy Grint has stepped down from our trustee board. Jeremy, who has worked in the borough for 30 years, has been our trustee since BD Giving was established in 2020. In that time, Jeremy has played a pivotal role in establishing and shaping the organisation.
Trustees are responsible for the governance of a charity. They oversee decisions about how the charity is run and ensure it adheres to its charitable purpose. As a trustee, Jeremy helped to guide BD Giving’s vision and strategy, helped us through more challenging times and contributed to our achievements as an organisation.
As well as supporting BD Giving as trustee, Jeremy is also the Chair of Barking and Riverside Steering Group at Barking Riverside Ltd, Interim Chair of Barking Riverside CIC, and Chair of B&D Reside Ltd, where he continues in his roles. He has also worked for the borough of Barking and Dagenham for 26 years in Town Planning and Regeneration.
Jeremy has been instrumental in shaping BD Giving. His foresight has enabled us to establish a pioneering charity focused on improving community infrastructure in one of London’s most underserved neighbourhoods. While we will greatly miss his contributions as a trustee, I am excited to continue collaborating with him to ensure that communities take a leading role in shaping the place they live in.
Welcoming three new trustees
We’re delighted that three new trustees will bring a range of professional expertise, strong experience of volunteering and community engagement, as well as invaluable lived experience.
Rachel Williams
Rachel is a Commercial Real Estate Director, helping clients align their property portfolios with strategic objectives. Her expertise spans decision-making, business strategy, stakeholder engagement, leadership, and change management.
Rachel’s passion for supporting disadvantaged communities stems from her upbringing in a South West London council estate. Her personal experiences drive her commitment to community-led initiatives. She actively mentors young people from disadvantaged backgrounds through the Bridging Barriers mentorship scheme and has volunteered with charities such as Whitechapel Mission and Groundwork London, organising and participating in impactful projects.
Rachel’s blend of personal insight and professional expertise, coupled with her dedication to creating opportunities for others, will bring invaluable perspectives to Barking & Dagenham Giving.
Gbemi Okutuo
A qualified chartered accountant (ACCA) with over seven years of experience, Gbemi has worked across diverse roles in internal audit, risk management, fund administration and management. Currently, he is part of Macquarie’s Infrastructure Funds team, overseeing fund finance and operations. His professional expertise in finance and governance will bring valuable insights to our board.
As a resident of Barking and Dagenham for over 20 years, Gbemi is deeply invested in its development. He has demonstrated leadership in his community through his volunteer work, including managing a church football team in the Ilford & District Churches League and serving as a youth representative on his church’s Board of Trustees.
Passionate about creating a thriving community for future generations, Gbemi is eager to contribute to decision-making that directly impacts the area.
Marta Lipska
With over 15 years of experience in regulatory compliance, project management, and people leadership, Marta brings expertise in strategy setting, project delivery, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and knowledge of diverse funding sources. She has successfully led high-profile projects alongside senior executives,, and has a proven track record of mentoring teams to achieve impactful outcomes.
Marta has lived in the borough for 14 years, actively participating in local community initiatives such as neighbourhood groups and sports events. Her strong ties to the area, along with her understanding of its challenges and potential, inform her passion for driving positive change.
Her volunteer work includes supporting education for East London children, assisting homeless individuals with employment skills, and contributing to food banks during the pandemic. Marta is eager to help Barking & Dagenham thrive as a vibrant, engaged community.
We are excited to work with our new trustees this year and gain valuable insights from them. We also wish Jeremy the best of luck for the future and hope to work with him again!
