Mike Martin MBE (Chair)

Mike has 25 years experience working for local infrastructure organisations, five of them in a London Borough and 20 in the post of Director of Reading Voluntary Action. He served as a trustee of the Community Council for Berkshire for eight years. He was a founding trustee of RAISE, the regional infrastructure organisation for the South East and served as its Chair in the period prior to the engagement of the first staff. He has been a trustee of NAVCA since September 2002 and has taken a lead in the development of the strategic role of the Board. Mike has been the elected Chair of NAVCA since September 2006.

Mike has seen the strength and influence of NAVCA grow steadily over the last few years. He believes that the key to this strength lies in listening and responding well to what members and partners are saying to NAVCA whilst always striving for the highest quality services in support of the sector. As Chair he aims to build on this. His other priorities for the future are a clear and robust stand on the independence of the sector, demonstration beyond doubt of the value of our work and support of the local sector to become more effective in tackling inequality and discrimination. He aims to use his thorough understanding of the network to lead a strong and above all strategic board of trustees which will be essential in times of rapid change and severe economic restraint.