Mark Austen, currently Chairman of financial services provider LV=, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Leatherhead-based charity Transform Housing & Support.
Mark joined Transform’s Board in November 2015 and succeeds David Turner, who will remain on the Board of Trustees. Amongst other roles, Mark is a non-executive director of Alpha Bank.
Mark has spent his life in professional and financial services managing Price Waterhouse’s (latterly PricewaterhouseCoopers) financial services consulting business around the world. He advised a large number of institutions especially on strategy and development and has written and presented extensively. He was also elected as a member of PricewaterhouseCoopers global board and had a major role in effecting the sale of the consulting business to IBM which he then joined for two years . He has subsequently pursued a plural career principally in banking, technology and consulting engineering but was also Chairman of one of Prince Charles’ charities.
Mark said of his appointment:
“I feel honoured to be appointed to this role and chair an organisation that works tirelessly to transform the lives of so many homeless and vulnerable people in our local communities. I hope to help in its next stage of development
“I would like to thank David Turner for his significant contribution to Transform over the past three and a half years. He has done much to raise our profile and has given considerable support to Transform’s management team.”
David Turner’s tenure was due to end in September 2016 but he agreed to continue in his role to see the charity through its merger with fellow housing association Cherchefelle, which was finalised on 31 October, and the initial integration period.
David said:
“It has been a privilege to have been the Chairman of Transform over the past three and a half years and to lead a Board of Trustees that is committed to supporting the excellent work of Transform.
“I am delighted to welcome Mark as the new Chairman and look forward to continuing to work with him and the rest of the Transform Board.”
Transform is the largest charity providing housing and support for homeless and vulnerable people in the Surrey area. Founded in 1972, Transform has helped more than 20,000 people to live independently over the past four decades.
(Picture: Elizabeth Kennedy, David Turner, and Mark Austen)
