Black History Month celebration | 28 October 2021 | Zoom

GGI has been joining in the celebration of Black History Month throughout October, around this year’s theme is ‘Proud to be…'.

Throughout the month we are undertaking a number of activities looking back over the 34 years since 1987 – the first year Black History Month was celebrated in the UK – and reflecting on some of the big milestones and changes that have taken place during that time.

We are hosting this special event at the end of the month to culminate and bring together our participation in and celebration of Black History Month. We will be joined by GGI friends and associates for a discussion on this year's theme: 'Proud to be...'

Speakers

GGI introduction: Martin Thomas, GGI copywriter

Chaired by: Romeo Effs, CEO Lumorus

Speakers: Anita Day, Vice-Chair, Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust

Godfrey Allen, non-executive director, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust

Jaco Marais, GGI Creative Partner

Agenda

Welcome – Martin Thomas

Introductions and outline of the meeting – Romeo Effs

Jaco Marais, GGI, proud to be…

Anita Day, proud to be…

Godfrey Allen, proud to be…

Open discussion, encouraging participants to share their ‘proud to be…’ stories, chaired by Romeo Effs

Summary and conclusion of the session

Speaker biographies

Godfrey Allen – non-executive director, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust

Godfrey joined Croydon Health Services in January 2013 to help build a new Board. He is a member of the Quality & Audit Committees. Godfrey is the Board non-executive lead on End of Life Care Services and Cyber Security providing additional oversight of these important areas of the Trust’s work. Prior to Croydon, Godfrey served 7 years as a NED at Wandsworth PCT where he also chaired the NHS South West London Support Services Partnership Board.

The former founding Chair of the South Thames Colleges Group (incorporating Kingston, South Thames, Carshalton and Merton Colleges), Godfrey currently serves as a NED on a US and two International NGO’s. that includes his appointment as Council Member, England and Wales - International Association of Youth & Family Judges & Magistrates. Godfrey has held Chief Executive and MD roles since he was 27 years old in the public, private and charitable sectors. He decided on early retirement at 52 to spend more time sharing and learning in his own time.

Anita Day – Vice Chair, Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust

Anita Day is a chartered accountant, non-executive director, executive facilitator and coach, with an international people and culture strategy consulting background, and UK board experience in the private, public and third sectors.

Anita’s corporate experience includes founding and growing a skills consulting company and designing and implementing people and performance strategies in a global NYSE-listed corporation. She was also the Europe-wide Culture Transformation leader for IBM Global Business Services.

Anita is currently Vice Chair & Senior Independent Director at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, and is also Independent Chair of the Dudley ICP Business Case Senior Oversight Group.

Romeo Effs – CEO Lumorus

Romeo Effs is founder and CEO of Lumorus, a global consultancy that helps businesses and their leaders redefine their corporate governance and leadership to bring about positive, structural change.

Romeo has over 25 years’ experience as a boardroom-level corporate executive and business owner. He is chair of the IBRIE Foundation, a charitable organisation that seeks to equip under-served communities in the UK, Jamaica and Ghana with tools that help them generate and use new ideas. He is also chair of the Wandsworth Oasis (the UK’s third-largest HIV charity), and trustee of the Youth Business International, founded by Prince Charles. Romeo is also advisor to the Board of Banx for Institutions and a lecturer at London South Bank University.

Jaco Marais – creative partner, GGI

Jaco is GGI’s festival director and editor of the annual Festival Review. They have been a director with GGI since its formation in 2009.

Jaco’s role is to embrace their full range of tools, skills and attributes to engage clients, staff and the wider community. These include GGI’s YouTube channel, Good Governance TV, social media channels, the printed Review, events, and international study tours.

Jaco’s background is in healthcare journalism. Past roles include being the press officer of the Institute of Healthcare Management (IHM) and editing CARE magazine, a members’ journal for the Health and Social Care Quality Commission (HSCQC).