The Telephone Helplines Association is delighted to announce the appointment of Rekha Wadhwani as our new permanent Chief Executive starting in post on 26 November 2007. Rekha joins us from Community Matters, where she is currently Director of Service Development. Her broad experience includes both managing and being a trustee of helplines. As an organisation striving to improve quality of services Rekha's skills and passion in raising standards in performance is greatly welcomed by the THA. Having found a way through our recent financial crisis, we look forward to Rekha leading the charity in a new phase of development.

Rekha takes over from Justin Irwin, who has been Interim Chief Executive on a part-time basis since April 2007. During his time with us Justin has worked tirelessly to support the Executive Committee, to inspire and support the staff, and to ensure that the THA did all it possibly could to continue to provide high quality services and support to its members. Justin’s contribution over the recent months has been invaluable to the success of the THA and we wish him all the very best in his future projects.

A successful AGM was held at the THA offices on 13th November where we were delighted to see representatives of so many of our member helplines and to be able to thank all those who have given the THA tremendous support over the recent difficult months. At the meeting the following officers were appointed. After two years as Vice Chair Angela Reynolds becomes the new Chair. Karen Bradshaw who held the post previously stepped down at the AGM but we are delighted that she is to remain on the Executive Committee and thank her for all her hard work during her two years as Chair. John Lawrie, who for three years has been the Treasurer, now takes up the position of Vice Chair, and Kevin Pickard, a new appointment to the Committee, joins us in the post of Treasurer.

There is still much work to be done but this is an exciting time for the THA where we can look forward, ensure that we build on our achievements and continue to work to enable the highest quality of services to be provided to those that need them.

Updated November 2007 by Deirdre Rusling