Lesley Myland, who has already made her mark as a leading volunteer with the RNLI on the Island, is the new chairman of the Friends of St Mary’s Hospital.
Her appointment, in succession to Geoff Banks, was approved by the last meeting of trustees. Even before her election she showed her commitment to the charity by accompanying vice-chairman Gerry Moglione on a trolley round of the wards.
Before moving to the Island nine years ago Lesley and her husband Barry had lived in Surrey. For 30 years she had run her own human resources consultancy, working for a broad range of clients from large commercial companies, public sector organisations, the care sector and not for profit bodies. Following a cancer scare in 2012, from which she has now recovered, Lesley decided to bring forward her retirement plans.
She has continued however with her voluntary work, such as being a school governor and hon secretary of the RNLI’s IW Board. Her home is in East Cowes.
Expressing delight at becoming the new voluntary chairman of the Friends she said:
“This is an organisation which I and many others have had every reason to be very thankful for over time. To support it in continuing the work that it does will be an honour and a privilege. I will do my best to live up to the confidence which has been placed in me.”
Gerry firmly believes the Friends are most fortunate in having Lesley Myland as Geoff’s successor. He said:
“She is a successful business woman in her own right with a great deal of experience in management at all levels, and has been involved in many voluntary activities including school governance and the RNLI,” he said. “Lesley will undoubtedly bring both expertise and enthusiasm to the post.”
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Vice chairman Gerry Moglione also paid tribute to the retiring Friends chairman by saying:
“The Friends are indebted to Geoff Banks for the excellent service he has given the organisation during his 4 years in office. He assumed the role when the Friends needed a steadying hand on the tiller, and he did so most professionally.
“Although a very successful businessman, Geoff still found time from his busy schedule to devote all possible effort to the Friends – as well as being Mayor of Cowes! He showed an excellent sense of humour throughout his dealings witthe Friends, and demonstrated his gratitude to the many volunteers for their dedication.”
