The Board of Trustees and Senior Team of Nova Wakefield District Limited wishes to announce the retirement of Mike Holt as Chair of Trustees.

Mike will also step down from the Third Sector Framework Board and Third Sector Strategy Group with immediate effect.

Mike shared:

“After 12 years as Chair of, first the Nova Project Board and, for the last 9 years, of the Nova Board itself, I sense that I may well have taken Nova as far as I can. The organisation is now in very good hands, in terms of its CEO, her management team and staff, its financial position, its partnerships and, not least, its Board of Trustees.‍‍

I shall find it very difficult to let go of something which has been a huge part of my life for such a long time. I shall, above all, miss the people, and they include so many good people within the Nova team, within our membership and, across the sectors, within our partners. Our Board of Trustees has become a kind of family, the members of which have shared a common purpose of building and supporting the VCSE sector in Wakefield. It has been a privilege working with such committed and generous people and I respect them all greatly.‍

I think our VCSE sector has changed significantly and is much better equipped since those early days of the Nova launch. I think, too, that it is now more widely respected and capable, ready for the coming challenges which, undoubtedly, will face our communities across Wakefield District."‍

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The Board of Trustees and Senior Team would like to state their utmost appreciation and thanks for the contributions, drive, and passion Mike has put into the organisation over the last 10 years of being Chair.

Our CEO Maddy, shared:

“I would like to acknowledge the commitment that Mike has demonstrated and the impact that this has had. Mike has steered Nova over a significant period of time, often taking on a very active leadership role. He has brought others along with such passion and motivation that people have been truly inspired. Mike has promoted a culture of belonging within Nova board and has always recognised the individual contributions of Trustees and team members. I would like to take the opportunity to personally thank Mike for the unfailing support and encouragement he has offered.

Nova will be marking Mike’s departure with celebration and thanks for the significant, positive impact Mike has made within Nova, for the sector, for the District and for residents”.