Published: 26th FEBRUARY 2024

Sustrans welcomes five new trustees

We have welcomed a handful of new trustees to our board. Find out more about each appointment in this blog.

Credit: Livialazar

Sustrans has welcomed five new trustees to its board.

Each appointment brings skills and experiences vital to help guide and advise the charity to achieving its mission of making active travel easier for everyone.

The appointments are:

  • Benita Mehra, Chartered Engineer and Director of Environment within the NHS.
  • Carol-Ann Boyter, Director of People and Culture for Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland - Veterans.
  • Ibrahim Ali, Finance Director at international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills LLP.
  • Tessa Dwyer, Chartered Accountant and Change Management Specialist.
  • Zahir Nayani, Equity Partner at national law firm Foot Anstey LLP.

Left to right: Carol-Ann Boyter, Zahir Nayani, Benita Mehra

A wealth of experience and expertise

Zahir Nayani is a passionate advocate for health equity.

As the founder of a global grassroots cycling collective Zahir promotes everyday cycling as a tool for empowerment and wellbeing for minoritised communities.

Zahir provides strategic counsel to investors and financial institutions with a focus on Islamic and ethical financing arrangements. 

Benita Mehra has operated between several engineering disciplines including mechanical, civil, electrical and electronic. This includes senior roles within the airport, housing and health sector, covering strategy, operations and major construction developments.

Benita is an advocate for women joining engineering disciplines.

She is also the past president of the Women’s Engineering Society.

Carol-Ann has led large, multi-disciplined HR and operational teams for well-known organisations such as Aviva, Aegon, Valneva and the National Trust for Scotland.

With a strong track record of leading people functions and developing strategies at a time of complex change, Carol-Ann looks forward to helping unlocking the true potential in people.

Left to right: Ibrahim Ali and Tessa Dwyer

Ibrahim Ali, prior to his current role, has held various roles at UK listed consulting organisations covering strategy, operations, and finance.

He has been involved in the not-for-profit sector throughout his professional career.

Ibrahim works with a number of charities in various capacities, including Equally Ours as a Trustee.

Tessa Dwyer’s career in financial services has spanned investment banking, audit and private equity. 

Tessa's work has had an emphasis on diversity and inclusion - one of many things that drew her to Sustrans.

 

Guiding Sustrans to achieving our mission

Of the appointments, Moray Macdonald, Chair of Sustrans’ board of trustees said:

"I am thrilled to welcome Benita, Carol-Ann, Ibrahim, Tessa, and Zahir as Trustees.

"Many UK charities are getting ready for an exciting and challenging road ahead, and these appointments reflect Sustrans’ preparation with the expertise and characters vital to achieving our mission of making walking, wheeling and cycling easier for everyone.

"Following their six years of service to the board, we are deeply grateful to our outgoing trustees, who have helped guide our organisation with the dedication and enthusiasm that personifies Sustrans."

 

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