Andrew Baxter – has 20 years HR experience, primarily in the public sector and with expertise in recruitment and resourcing. Previous experience includes executive search to recruit senior leaders for charity organisations, leading recruitment services for the Greater London Authority and NHS, and experience leading HR change management in the charity sector. He has a long-standing passion for supporting young people, having previously held voluntary roles in the youth support sector and mentored young male prisoner leavers. Andrew has lived in the area for 13 years, is a service user of Elizabeth House’s childcare provisions and joined the board in May 2024.
Cllr Valerie Bossman-Quarshie – is a local born and bred ‘Islingtonian’. Valerie has worked in education for many years and is a governor in a local secondary school. She brings extensive experience from the sector, and an impressive energy to make our local community a better place to live, by creating opportunities to learn and thrive. Valerie joined the Board in September 2019 and vouched to support children, young people, families and the wide community in accessing services at Elizabeth House. Valerie was elected as a Councillor for Bunhill Ward in May 2021.
Lucilia Falsarella Pereira (Secretary) – a local resident and service user at Elizabeth House’s childcare provisions. Lucilia is a lawyer and senior civil servant, currently working at the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) as a Director of Cartel Enforcement. Lucilia also leads the CMA’s outreach project ‘Getting Closer to the Third Sector’. She worked as an advisor to HM Treasury ministers and senior officials during the financial crisis. Before moving to the UK, Lucilia worked at the European Commission and as a lawyer in private practice in Brazil. Lucilia joined the Board of Trustees in December 2022.
Ned Glasier – has lived and worked in Islington for 19 years when joining the Board in May 2024. He worked at the Almeida Theatre until 2007 and between 2008 and 2024 he was the founding Artistic Director and CEO of Company Three, a multi-award winning theatre company working with young people in Islington. Through this work Ned built partnerships with hundreds of schools, organisations, and individuals across the borough, supporting thousands of young people, and the development of the local Council’s cultural strategy. He is a specialist in co-creation and currently works as a freelance consultant, supporting arts and other organisations to support, work with and platform young people. He is passionate about the role that community centres play in their local areas, and has previously supported Elizabeth House through a governance review in 2023.
Jonathan Gore – is a local resident who has been living in Highbury for 30 years. Jonathan has always been an active member of the community and started volunteering at the Food Hub in 2020, at the start of the Covid pandemic. After growing up and studying in the North of England, Jonathan came to London to work as a doctor (GP) until he retired from an East London practice. Jonathan joined the Board in January 2024. He said that he “loves the feeling that Elizabeth House is there for all of the local community and that it is such a warm and friendly place.”
Garry Luxford (Chair) – has worked in many different industries including financial services, utilities, and insurance leading large teams and accountable for large budgets. He specialises in transformation and ensuring organisations are customer focused and up to date with relevant technology appropriate for the business. Garry also does pro bono work for an animal charity and an environmental non-for-profit organisation. Garry is a keen hill walker and spends spare time climbing peaks and mountains. He is passionate about the environment and supports animal welfare and enjoys football and most sports.
Lis Rideal (Treasurer) – is a local resident and has lived in the area for over 20 years. She started learning about Elizabeth House while volunteering at the FoodHub and loves its authentic community spirit and the breadth of services it offers. Lis has worked in Financial Services for almost 20 years in a range of roles and specialises in delivery of strategic initiatives for Boards and complex regulatory-driven programmes. Lis also runs a community choir and is keen to get out in nature whenever possible. She joined the Board of Trustees in May 2024.
Roshni Shah – is an Islington resident, former Elizabeth House employee and has over 11 years’ experience working and volunteering in sustainable food and community settings. She currently works as Diversity Outreach Coordinator at Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming. Roshni is a passionate community and social justice advocate and having worked at Elizabeth House, she has witnessed first hand, the connections and belonging the centre creates for the local community. Roshni was appointed as a Trustee in March 2025.
Tsigereda Tekletsadik – is a community development professional, trainer, and project manager with over 20 years of experience in the voluntary and community sector. She has led major health and wellbeing initiatives, tackling inequalities and strengthening community networks. An Islington resident, Tsigereda is passionate about empowering communities and ensuring local voices shape the services that support them. She has extensive experience in partnership building, impact evaluation, and capacity building, helping grassroots organisations create lasting change. As a trustee at Elizabeth House, she is committed to social change, equity, and inclusion, working to enhance the centre’s impact for the local community. Tsigereda joined the Board of Trustees in March 2025.
Our Patron
Jeremy Corbyn MP – Jeremy is one of the founding members of Highbury Vale Blackstock Trust, founded to save Elizabeth House in 1993, and was a dedicated trustee for many years. Jeremy has been a Member of Parliament for Islington North since 1983 and was the leader of the Labour Party from 2015 to 2020. He prioritises access to services, community cohesion and human rights of all, at home and abroad. Jeremy is also involved with numerous local organisations and community centres. Jeremy has been appointed as Elizabeth House’s first Patron in December 2024. As a high-profile individual, Jeremy will continue to be an ambassador for the organisation and to support Elizabeth House, raising awareness about the important role played by Community Centres for all local residents.
Recruiting for trustees
Elizabeth House is looking for new Trustees to join its dynamic Board.
We are looking for committed community members with a diversity of ideas, lived experience and skills.
Could it be you? We would love to hear from you!
To find out more, download the Trustee recruitment information pack 2024
Feel free to contact us on 020 76901300 for an initial chat and a visit of Elizabeth House before you apply.