After nine years as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Caring Together Charity, Stuart Evans is standing down from a role that has seen the charity grow, adapt and strengthen its support for unpaid carers across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk.
For Stuart, who joined the charity in 2017 after previously chairing Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, the time has passed quickly.
He said: “I shall miss it, but it’s amazing to realise it’s been nine years. It doesn’t feel as if it’s been that long, but it’s nice to reflect on how the charity has changed in that time.”
A Cambridge-based entrepreneur, Stuart said he was looking for “the next gig” after Arthur Rank. His arrival at Caring Together came at a period of change, with a new group of trustees keen to modernise the organisation and both the previous Chair and chief executive stepping down.
“The first thing I did was hire Miriam (Martin) as CEO,” Stuart recalled. “The most important thing is to make sure you’ve got the right CEO in any kind of charity.”
Although Stuart brought considerable charity leadership experience, his time at Caring Together also deepened his understanding of unpaid caring.
Together with his wife Brenda, he raised three adopted children, two of whom have learning difficulties, and supported Brenda’s parents in later life. Yet, like many people, he had not initially seen himself as a carer.
He said. “A lot of carers don’t realise they’re carers. When you’re running a charity like this, it’s really important to remain focused on the beneficiaries.”
Among the proudest achievements during his tenure, Stuart highlights Caring Together’s response to the Covid pandemic. Faced with uncertainty in spring 2020, the charity managed its finances carefully, planned quarter by quarter and continued supporting carers.
He said: “We just held our nerve and kept going It’s a tribute to the team that we came through that very well.”
Early investment in technology proved vital as services moved online. “We put the quill pen in the cupboard and got out the computer, just as everything went virtual,” Stuart said.
Stuart believes a continued focus on digital transformation, better information and innovation, including the opportunities presented by AI, will be increasingly important in the years ahead.
Other milestones during Stuart’s time include the rebrand from Carers Trust Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk to Caring Together Charity, a move to new premises, strengthened fundraising, bringing on board the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Young Carers service, and the recent recruitment of new trustees.
But as Andrew Glover takes on the role of Chair, Stuart is confident Caring Together is ready for its next chapter.
He said: “I think Andrew is going to be terrific as Chair. I’m confident the charity is well positioned for the future under new leadership with a refreshed strategy, strong governance and a continued commitment to support carers.”
