All change at the top

After 20 years of service, Rob Trimble is stepping down from his role as the chief executive of the Bromley by Bow Centre at the end of December 2022.  Over the years, Rob has led the organisation to significant achievements, been a key architect of the Centre’s innovative model and helped build an international reputation for its work. He has led the team with distinction and inspired new generations of local community activists and social entrepreneurs.

Elly de Decker has been appointed as the new chief executive and takes up her post from January 2023. She is currently the charity’s executive director so her appointment by the Board of Trustees ensures a smooth transition of leadership, and vital continuity, at a time when the Centre’s services are needed more than ever. Elly brings a wealth of experience and prior to her arrival at the Bromley by Bow Centre she was England Director at the National Lottery Community Fund.

During Rob’s tenure, the charity was the inspiration for the national Children’s Centre programme; it built a renowned social enterprise incubation project that created 100 new businesses in East London; and the charity is widely regarded as the exemplar for social prescribing across the UK. Rob’s contribution has been variously recognised over the years, not least his award of a British Empire Medal in The Queen’s New Year Honours List in 2018.

However, his lasting contribution will be in the hands-on leadership he has provided in maintaining the Bromley by Bow Centre as a grassroots local organisation that has been consistently focused on delivering high quality vital services to its community.

Rob Trimble, said:

“Needless to say, it’s been the privilege of my life to lead the Bromley by Bow Centre for two decades. We’ve achieved so much in that time, both in terms of delivering vital frontline services, but also in forging radical new approaches to community regeneration that defy conventional thinking. We’ve created a special place where people feel at home and loved, and where they can rebuild their confidence and their lives. And all of this made possible by hundreds of amazing colleagues who I have been lucky to share the journey with.”

Elly de Decker, commented:

“I am thrilled about leading such a talented team and building on Rob’s legacy. Our core focus will be in maintaining a thriving charity at the heart of its community, delivering quality local services. We also have ambitious plans for the future to innovate and build on our radical approach to community health, a model that addresses the impact of poverty and social factors that drive ill-health in our most challenged neighbourhoods.”

Simon Bevan, Interim Chair, concludes:

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees. I want to thank Rob for his incredible leadership and achievements over the 20 years he has been chief executive. Rob embodies the spirit of the Centre and his positivity and passion for what we do is infectious.  We are now looking forward to working with Elly as she builds on what has been achieved and guides the Centre charity forward  through the next stage of its development.”

Read Elly’s story