Looking Ahead Together: Meet Our New Chair and Trustees

28th November 2025

Last week, we came together at Little Channels Golf Club for our AGM a chance to celebrate a fantastic year and look ahead to the next chapter of ECF. Around 60 members and new fundholders joined us to reflect on our achievements and meet our new leadership team. 

After six incredible years as Chair and 8 years overall as a trustee, Nick Alston CBE DL stepped down, handing the reins to Atul Manek. Nick’s leadership has been truly transformative, guiding ECF through the challenges of COVID-19, growing our reach, and helping us manage over 200 charitable funds while awarding £60 million to local charities. His dedication to supporting the voluntary sector and fostering collaboration across Essex has left a lasting mark, and we are hugely grateful for everything he’s done. 

We also said farewell to trustees Sandra Hollis and Simon Hall MBE DL, thanking them for their dedication and invaluable contributions over the years. Their commitment has helped shape ECF into the organisation it is today. 

We were also delighted to welcome two new trustees and a new chair: 

• Atul Manek (Chair): Atul brings extensive experience in financial services and governance, along with a strong commitment to social impact. He will lead ECF as we work towards our 2030 strategy and continue supporting communities across Essex. 

• Naz Biggs: Naz works at Impact on Urban Health, focusing on reducing health inequalities in Lambeth and Southwark. With experience across sectors such as higher education, civil service, and international development, Naz also supports funders across London as a trustee of London Funders. 

• Gillian Hayter: Based in Great Yeldham, Gillian runs her own consultancy and has a long history of community involvement in Essex. A former Trustee and Vice Chair of the Rural Community Council of Essex and a Justice of the Peace, she brings governance expertise and a passion for supporting local charities. 

The AGM also gave everyone the opportunity to explore our Annual Review and ask questions about our work and plans for the future. It was wonderful to see so much engagement and enthusiasm from our members and fundholders. 

As we celebrate the past and welcome our new leadership, we’re filled with optimism for what’s to come. With your continued support, ECF is ready to keep making a lasting difference across Essex. 

Copy for the newsletter: 

Last week’s AGM was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate a year of achievements, thank our outgoing trustees for their dedication, and welcome new leadership to ECF. Click here read more about our AGM and new trustees.