The Trustees of Justlife are delighted to announce that they have appointed Simon Gale as the new Chief Executive Officer of Justlife.
Simon has been working for Justlife as Regional Operations & Hub Manager in Brighton for 7 years so he is really familiar with the organisation and understands the work extremely well. Prior to working at Justlife he was Operations & Finance Director for a London based youth project and has worked extensively in the voluntary sector and with vulnerable people over the past 18 years.
Outside of his work for Justlife he has spent the last 7 years working and volunteering for a local funding body which has supported dozens of individuals to develop projects for social good.
Simon lives in Brighton and has a young family. He is a Brighton & Hove Albion fan and enjoys meeting new people, a wide range of music and good food.
Steve Coles, Chair of the Justlife Trustees says:
“The board of trustees are excited about the future of Justlife and believe that we have a vital role to play as a catalyst for change within the area of unsupported temporary accommodation and homelessness across the UK.
With our Founder/CEO moving on, we looked at various options for leadership and were fortunate to have 25 excellent applicants for this significant role. Simon emerged from the selection process as the outstanding candidate and I warmly congratulate him on being the unanimous choice of the trustees as our new Chief Executive. Gary Bishop has led Justlife with skill and passion since he started it in 2008 and we are going to miss him greatly and know that he and Hannah remain great supporters of the organisation.
We are confident, however, that, in Simon, we have found a successor who will sustain and develop the work of the Justlife as it continues to deliver innovative services to individuals to some of the most marginalised people in our communities and work for system and policy change.”
Gary Bishop says of Simon’s appointment:
“Leaving my role as CEO of Justlife has been an incredibly difficult decision but I am delighted that Simon will be taking over this amazing charity which we love so much. It has been my privilege to see the organisation grow from an idea into the living, thriving organism that it is today. Simon, along with many others, has been an important part of that growth journey and I am excited to watch the next chapter of the Justlife story unfold under his leadership. He’s a guy of deep character and integrity who has an amazing capacity to lead people and build - which is exactly what Justlife needs from its CEO.”
Of his appointment, Simon says:
“I am delighted and honoured to be asked to take on the role of CEO at Justlife. The work Gary has done founding and developing this organisation, along with his wife Hannah and many other incredible people, has been an inspiration. I am committed to continuing the fantastic work both Gary and the dedicated team of staff and volunteers have delivered so far. I look forward to helping shape the next stage of the organisation and to continue to ensure that the most vulnerable people living in Unsupported Temporary Accommodation across this country receive the support they so desperately need.”
Simon will take up his new role on January 1st 2020 and we very much look forward to all that is to come.
