Eight new experts from a range of industries have joined the TrustMark board to help improve consumer protection.

The board consists of a new Chairman and seven Non-Executive Directors. Their job will be to ensure all the industry sectors TrustMark works with are adequately represented, and provide a fresh knowledge and insight to the running of the government-endorsed quality scheme.

A number of councils are being developed, including a Consumer Protection Council, to support the Board with the strategic direction of the organisation, as well as providing collaborations and developments to serve the industry and consumer.

The change of Board has taken place to help facilitate a number of significant developments at TrustMark following the industry led, Government commissioned Each Home Counts Review.

This review led directly to the expansion of TrustMark’s scope in order to become the new all-encompassing mark of quality that consumers can recognise and trust when selecting a tradesperson.

Chairman

Ranil Jayawardena

Ranil has a background in financial services at the UK’s largest mortgage lender, as well as being heavily engaged in exploring the complexities and implications of Brexit in his role as a Member of Parliament and on the House of Commons International Trade Committee.

Non-Executive Directors

Julie Hunter

Julie has worked exclusively in the field of consumer advocacy, policy and protection for almost 20 years. She has considerable experience in media engagement and will assist TrustMark with new initiatives and aims.

Emma Clancy

Emma is a respected voice within the construction sector with considerable senior level experience in other industries including consumer protection and financial services.

Anna Scothern

Anna is a long-standing leader within the built environment and housing sector with a focus on improvements to all aspects of energy and health in the home.

David Oakley

David has an enviable track-record in senior roles at global corporations such as Twinings, Coca-Cola and KPMG.

Lynn Hugo

Lynn has a broad background at senior level encompassing FTSE 100 and Global plc organisations, but also not for profit, public sector and enterprise start-ups.

Richard Saggers

Richard brings an understanding of how to create customer proximity in order to drive new revenue opportunities, due to his experience in senior roles at international telecommunication businesses, as well as the establishment of a trade association.

Stephen Huller

Stephen has more than 20 years’ experience in a variety of senior financial roles and a special interest in helping consumers save money and reduce carbon emissions through access to appropriate energy efficiency measures.

Simon Ayers, CEO of TrustMark and Executive Director on the Board, said: “TrustMark is at an important stage as an organisation where it has a genuine opportunity to create far-reaching, positive change and significantly enhance the levels of protection consumers can rely on.

“The directional support and input of this new Board will be invaluable and we look forward to working together to deliver the best outcomes possible for both consumers and the trades within our scheme."