Foundation welcomes new trustee

We are delighted to welcome Swindon Borough and Parish Councillor Junab Ali as the newest member of our board of trustees. Mr Ali, who was previously the Mayor of Swindon has pledged to champion voluntary and charitable groups after his mayoral year gave him a unique insight into the sector locally.

Commenting on his appointment Mr Ali said: “I thought I knew a lot of the charities in the local area because of my work as a councillor but my year as mayor really opened my eyes. I take my hat off to the voluntary sector as the majority of the people working in it don’t want any credit, they just work hard to help their communities. They are the real heroes.

“I have previously been asked to consider trustee roles for other organisations but being part of Wiltshire Community Foundation really appeals to me as it supports charities and voluntary organisations across Swindon and the whole of Wiltshire. There are huge communities that need help but the Foundation has great prospects for the future and I am looking forward to being a part of that and using my knowledge and life experience to help.”

“While I will bring diversity I don’t pretend I know everything, I have got the connections and the life experience that might help with understanding a different section of the community. But I’m not here just to make up the numbers as a black and ethnic minority member. I’m here on my merit and here to promote Wiltshire Community Foundation, be an ambassador and bring more communities on board. I’ve broken down barriers ever since I came to this country and I will carry on doing that. My moral and social upbringing has always been to help your neighbours and your community in whatever way you can.”

Mr Ali is married to Rajhia and has three children. He is a non-executive director of Business West and has stood as an MP in Devizes and as an MEP in the South West. He is also a school governor, a member of Rotary, a member of the Wiltshire FA’s Independent Advisory Group and vice-chairman of the Wiltshire Police Crime Panel.