To celebrate Trustees Week this week across the country, we thought we’d have a chat with one of our newest Trustees, Mike Peters.
Mike is Head of Core Technology for Den Hartogh Logistics, and has worked for over 30 years in senior Information Technology roles, bringing a wealth of experience in business, finance, and strategic management.
His most recent roles have focused on innovation driven by a team-based, people-centered approach to business transformation, achieving long-term, sustainable business growth and development.
Mike hopes to invest his skills and experience to support his fellow trustees, the executive team, and QVT clients.
How have you ended up becoming a QVT Trustee?
It was a matter of timing, luck and a long a standing ambition on my part to contribute towards helping others that have not been so fortunate in their own life journey. I’m in the latter stages of my professional career and I’ve now more time to dedicate towards something that is much more personally satisfying and rewarding.
What does your trustee role involve?
My role as a Trustee is to advise and support the management team and my fellow Trustees, and to contribute towards making the best-informed decisions possible. As a member of the Audit Committee, I participate in the review and commentary of the Trust’s financial reporting and planning.
What do you think makes QVT special/ what do you think QVT does well as charity?
In my experience the character of an organisation is shaped by the behaviour of the senior leadership. The team at QVT, led by the CEO, Ingrid, is professional, friendly, engaging and truly dedicated to ensuring that the Trust provides the highest levels of support and accommodation to our clients. Leading by example has worked well for QVT, and all the people I’ve met in the wider organisation reflect the same qualities.
I believe that what QVT does well is best told by our clients and those that I’ve spoken to couldn’t speak more highly of the dedicated staff and support that they provide.
Biggest challenges currently facing mental health and social care services/charities in 2022?
Broadly the sector is expected to provide services to increasing numbers of people while competing for resources such as skilled staff, and constrained budgets. It’s even more of a challenge in the context of the particularly difficult and turbulent economic outlook this country faces over the next few years. Specifically, for QVT this also means it will be more difficult to find the highest quality accommodation that is both affordable and suitable for our different client groups. We need to make choices that will make us stand out from our competitors.
What are you looking forward to most about being a Trustee?
Getting to know the members of the management team, my fellow Trustees and the wider QVT community.
As a new Trustee, and never having worked within the mental health/social care sector and I believe I have a unique opportunity to help find solutions to the many challenges we face. I’m looking forward to listening to the different opinions and perspectives of our stakeholders and contributing my business knowledge and skills to the teamwork that will be necessary in building QVT’s long term strategy for sustainable growth and success.
What do you think are the ‘important’ aspects for clients when it comes to supported living/housing?
Each one of our clients is unique, with different needs and priorities that are most important to them as an individual. During the time that QVT is their home we must deliver a service of the highest quality that makes them feel safe and supported. We can then focus on each client to help their recovery and at the appropriate moment continue their journey towards independent living.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I have four children so that keeps me busy! My eldest is getting married next year and my youngest has just started at senior school so weekends fly by. I have a keen interest in history, travel and cuisine and this year combined all three with holidays to Rome and Florence. Most weekends I make time to get out for long walks in the Kent countryside as I find that the best way to completely relax before the start of the next working week.
Thanks so much Mike for this interview! You can read more about our Trustees over on our ‘Meet the Team’ page