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Charles Spencer has stepped down as Chair of Choice Support’s Board of Management after more than 18 years service. In recognition of his exceptional and outstanding contribution, Charles has been appointed as Honorary President. He continues to serve as a Trustee and intends to remain involved in a number of areas of the organisation.

During the period that Charles led Choice Support the organisation grew from just 11 employees and an annual turnover of £1 million, to over 1500 employees and a turnover approaching £40 million.

Speaking at Choice Support’s Annual General Meeting, on October 7th 2009, Chief Executive Steven Rose praised Charles’s commitment and dedication over the years. He said that the relationship between the Chair and Chief Executive was crucial to the success of any organisation, and that at the heart of his and Charles's highly successful working partnership was a shared and uncompromising belief in the essence of what Choice Support stood for – improving life chances for disabled and disadvantaged people.

As Charles now takes up the position of President, the Trustees of Choice Support have elected Barry Coker to the position of Chair. Steven said that both he and the Senior Management Team (SMT) welcomed Barry’s appointment.

Barry has been Treasurer of Choice Support since 1991. He is an accountant by profession and works as the Finance and Resources Adviser to HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in the Home Office. He previously worked as a Chief Officer in various London Boroughs and in a large Housing Association.

Over the years Barry has been fully involved with other Trustees and the SMT in developing the vision and strategy for Choice Support. He stresses the importance of working to maintain Choice Support’s excellent reputation in delivering high quality support to service users and our local authority clients through a period of serious economic challenges. In thanking the Board for his appointment he said:

“It is a real privilege to work with such an excellent team of people at Choice Support, from support staff to senior managers. At a time of economic gloom the one spark of sunshine is to see the difference each of us can make to the lives of our service users. Every one of our staff makes a huge difference to the lives of people every day, and as a charity this must remain our singular goal. We aim to make a difference and through you all I know we do and will continue to do so. It is a real honour and privilege to work with you. Thank you all.”

Barry is also a Trustee of a child protection charity, The Lucy Faithfull Foundation. He is married to Isobel and lives in Dulwich. He has a wide range of interests, which include local history to collecting Lego and Edwardian postcards of the Crystal Place (1911) and the Great White City Exhibitions (1908 – 1914).