The Board of Trustees announce that the Chief Executive, Dr Sally Byng, will be leaving Barnwood Trust in mid-2025.

Sally has been Chief Executive since 2008.

Recruitment for a new Chief Executive begins in January 2025

In 2024, the Trust’s vision is that Gloucestershire will be a better place when disabled people and people with mental health conditions are equal, empowered and their rights are upheld.

Barnwood seeks to act as an agent of social change working alongside disabled people and people with mental health conditions in the county, with three goals. We want disabled people and people with mental health conditions across Gloucestershire to:

• have choice of opportunities that meet their hopes and passions,
• be included and involved in their communities and the places they live,
• to access their rights and see positive change on disability issues.

Sally intends to pursue independent projects and, on deciding that now is the right time to leave, Sally Byng said:

“It has been a huge privilege to lead the development of Barnwood Trust over the past 16 years.

Throughout that time I have been mindful of the responsibility of continuing the vision of the Trust’s Founders in 1794. Finding a 21^st Century way of translating their desire to create good conditions for people with mental health conditions, and now also all disabled people, has been a huge challenge and an amazing opportunity. 

I shall greatly miss working with so many talented and passionate people across Gloucestershire, but it’s time for someone new to bring their skills and creativity to the Trust for the next stage in its journey to create positive change in the county.”

Colin Smith, Chair of Trustees for Barnwood Trust said:

“During her tenure as CEO, Sally has provided unfaltering and surefooted leadership at Barnwood Trust, initiating and overseeing substantial change during a period of immense challenges.

Under Sally’s leadership, the Trust has delivered millions of pounds of investment and driven change in support of disabled people and people with mental health conditions, across the county.

Sally’s diligence, intuition and unending compassion have significantly enhanced Barnwood Trust’s ability to make an impact as a place-based charitable foundation. She will be a tough act to follow.”