Celebrating Trustees’ Week 2022 with Board member Myles Fitt

Trustees’ Week is a time for organisations across the UK to come together and celebrate the hard work and commitment of their trustees.

To mark this week, we spoke to Myles Fitt, one of our amazing trustees, who next month, will be celebrating his one-year anniversary as a member of the Board.

Joining the MND Scotland Board of Trustees in December of 2021, Myles came to the charity during a period of rapid growth and change, joining the organisation as a highly experienced public affairs professional and with that, bringing an in-depth and invaluable knowledge of influencing for change.

Now, almost a year later, Myles reflects on his first twelve months as a member of the Board, looks forward to the new year ahead and explains how our trustees continue to use their varied skills and experience to make time count for people affected by motor neuron disease (MND).

Explaining his motivation to become an MND Scotland Trustee, Myles said: “Although I don’t have a personal connection to MND, I have always had an interest in the cause and wanted to do more for the people affected by this devastating disease.

“I have a strong background working for health charities in a public affair influencing role and really wanted to offer my skills and knowledge to help with the cause.”

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This can cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink, or breathe unaided and the average life expectancy is just 18 months from diagnosis.

Reflecting on his first twelve months at MND Scotland, Myles said: “My first twelve months with MND Scotland has been a learning curve, with getting to know how the charity works and what its priorities are but it has been very enjoyable.

“It is clear this is a charity that knows where it wants to go and to deliver for those affected by MND.”

Outlining the combined strengths of MND Scotland’s Board of Trustees, he said: ““Everyone brings different knowledge, and it means we have enough experience and nous to deal with strategic issues around finance, audit, risk, research, services, influencing, and fundraising. We have sub-committees across each of these areas populated by trustees with relevant strengths which allows more dedicated time and focus.”

With MND Scotland celebrating our 40^th Anniversary, appointing a new CEO and Executive Leadership Team, as well as launching a new 3-year strategy and brand, all in the space of a year, Myles along with fellow Board members Dave Buglass, Graham Binnie, Liz McRobb and Debbie Atkins, joined MND Scotland last year, during a crucially important time for the charity.

Speaking on what the new strategy and branding means to the Board, Myles said: “Making time count resonates with everyone connected to and supported by the Charity. MND is a condition where time really matters and the speed at which those affected can get the support needed increases the time, and quality of time, they have. Our new strategy and branding are driven by the need to support people with MND and the Board is here to ensure the strategy is effectively and meaningfully delivered.”

Looking ahead to the next twelve months, he said: “Ensuring delivery of the strategy is key and the Board structure and activities will be configured to support the operational function of the charity in meeting the ambitions of the strategy.

“We seek to achieve greater service delivery for those with MND, greater awareness of MND, increased income generation so we can do more for those affected by MND, and effective influencing of key scientific, political, and policy stakeholders. Overall we are determined to see grow the strength of the charity to help the beneficiaries we exist to serve.”

Rachel Maitland, Chief Executive of MND Scotland, said: “We are very fortunate to have a dedicated Board of Trustees committed to making a real difference to people’s lives and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all our trustees for their support, guidance, and input over the course of what has been an ambitious year for MND Scotland.

“The combined skills and experience of our Trustees have played an integral role in the successful launch of our new brand, strategy and website, all of which have had a hugely positive impact on the charity and improved our ability to make time count for people affected by MND in Scotland.”

Find out more about how we will be making time count for people affected by MND by reading our new strategy.