Annie McDowall to retire as Chief Executive of Share Community

Annie McDowall to retire as Chief Executive of Share Community

After 19 years as Chief Executive of Share Community, Annie McDowall will retire in May 2022. She took over the directorship of Share in 2002 from Michael Luvaglio, who had given long years of service, and who sadly passed away last year.

Annie has been a committed and inspirational leader for the charity. During the last two years, Annie has dealt with significant challenges, helping to bring Share through the coronavirus crisis relatively unscathed whilst dealing with her own personal loss.

 Chair of the Board of Trustees, Kate Heaps, said:

 'Annie has been instrumental in growing and developing our charity which does such amazing work supporting people with complex disabilities. Her leadership focusses on finding the potential in everyone, staff and students alike, and in promoting our values of working with respect, compassion, and kindness. Annie has also ensured that Share has a strong management team in place to make sure we continue to promote our mission and thrive in the future.

'Annie has helped Share grow to support many more people across a wider geography and through a wider range of support offerings. Most recently, Share students have been empowered to be more independent in their own communities and do the things they enjoy most through a breadth of activities and volunteering programmes.   

 'Additionally, Annie is well respected across the wider voluntary and community sector in helping to lead the development of the Wandsworth Learning Disability Provider Forum and also the Voluntary Sector CEO group that instigated the setting up of the Wandsworth Voluntary Sector Coordination Service so that the VCS has a much greater voice and influence in Wandsworth.  

 'During Annie’s 19 years at Share, she has led significant growth and transformation. We are lucky to have had her for so long to grow and support the team and the students, and Annie should leave feeling incredibly proud of all she and her team have achieved. Share is a thriving organisation well respected by the community it serves, our commissioners and partners, and this is down to Annie and her team’s dedication and commitment and her excellent networking skills.

 'The Board and I will be working with the senior team to find a new Chief Executive for Share Community over the next few months to enable a handover of responsibilities in the Spring.'

 Annie said:

'It has been a joy and a privilege to lead Share over the past 19 years. I shall miss colleagues and students very much, but this feels like the right time to hand over the reins to someone who will have the vision and passion to lead Share into our next phase. I am confident that our people and our culture of kindness and innovation will carry us into a bright future.'

 

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