DanceSyndrome is delighted to announce the appointments of a new Chair, Malcolm Blackwell and Vice Chair, Louise Howitt to lead the Board of Trustees in a new era as the organisation grows and executes its current strategy; Vision 2025.
Malcolm brings over 35 years’ experience of running international manufacturing businesses around the world. He has spent most of this time leading businesses through challenging times, requiring a transition, and then onto profitable growth. This has given him an insight into managing change effectively, building teams and empowering people whilst recognising the different cultures and aspirations of those involved.
Malcolm said “It is a privilege to become the Chair of such a groundbreaking charity that truly transforms the lives of the people it touches. DanceSyndrome demonstrates what can be achieved if you truly embrace inclusion and reimagine what social care should look like. I am looking forward to bringing my business experience to help the team continue to grow and develop what DanceSyndrome does and the impact it has on society.”
As Malcolm takes over the role of Chair, we also welcome Louise Howitt to the role of Vice Chair. Louise has been a Trustee since January 2022, bringing a unique combination of health and social care and dance industry experience that has been invaluable to our work. She firmly believes in the ethos of DanceSyndrome; inclusion, collaboration and artistic excellence, and hopes that her work as Vice Chair will be able to bring these values to a wider number of people across the UK.
Louise said “Over the past two years I have found it extremely rewarding to be on the Board of DanceSyndrome. It is a truly inclusive charity, putting people at the heart of all the work it does and constantly working towards a more positive future for people with learning disabilities. I am excited and honoured to be moving into a new role as Vice Chair and hope that I can bring my experience of working in both healthcare and participatory arts into this role.”
With a passion for inclusion, dance and transforming lives, both Malcolm and Louise bring an array of both strategic and hands-on experience and skills, and an ambition to reach more people with learning disabilities and to drive real impact.
Managing Director, Julie Nicholson says “I am absolutely delighted with these new appointments. This is an extraordinary time for DanceSyndrome. We are building on the last 14 years and the foundations which have been created by former Chair, Sue Blackwell and former Vice Chair, Chris Robson, both of whom I am extremely grateful to for everything they have brought to DanceSyndrome. We are now expanding quickly, and I am very excited to be working closely with Malcolm and Louise focussing on high quality and the need for greater inclusion, not just in the Arts but in society in general.”
To find out more about DanceSyndrome’s Board of Trustees, please visit the About Us page on our website.
You can find out more about DanceSyndrome’s unique work in this video:
