A new chair and four new trustees have recently been appointed to the board of Manchester’s LGBT Foundation, a leading provider of health and well-being services to the lesbian, gay and bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities in the UK.

Smyth Harper, Head of Communications and Engagement for Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner, is the new Chair of the LGBT Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Smyth has had a varied career in journalism and public relations working for working for a range of organisations including the Manchester Evening News, BBC, Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council. He is an active member of Manchester’s LGBT community as a volunteer for LGBT Foundation’s Village Angels and as the previous Deputy Chair of LGBT Foundation’s Board. Smyth replaces David McGovern, who has stepped down after ten years of chairing the Board.

Smyth is joined by four new trustees including NHS England’s Head of Public Participation Olivia Butterworth, junior doctor Emily van Blankenstein, Sharmila Kar, Head of Human Resources & Organisation Development at Central, North and South Manchester Clinical Commissioning Group and Matt Webber from Leeds Trinity Student’s Union complete the five new additions to the 11-strong board of the Manchester-based organisation. Existing board member Andrea Murray, Human Rights Director at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has also been promoted to Deputy Chair.

Commenting on the new appointments, Paul Martin OBE, Chief Executive at LGBT Foundation, said:

“Our new chair and trustees bring a wealth of experience and skills to LGBT Foundation’s Board.

“With well over 100,000 people accessing our information and services last year, LGBT Foundation is one of the leading LGBT charities in the UK, so it’s vital it attracts board members of such high calibre.

“The organisation, one of the largest of its kind in the country, plays an important role in delivering a wide range of services and support to the LGBT communities and providing a leading voice to ensure they can achieve their full potential.”