Rosie Hewat, trustee at Trust for London
Over the last year we've welcomed some new trustees to the team at Trust for London. Here we talk to our newest trustee, Rosie Hewat, about what it's like to be on the board and how she balances the commitment alongside her regular work as an HR and business operations leader.
What drew you to the role of trustee with us?
I was drawn to the trustee role at Trust for London because of its mission to tackle poverty and inequality, which I feel deeply connected to professionally and personally. Having experienced some of these challenges firsthand while growing up in London, I was keen to contribute my HR, DEI and business operations expertise to an organisation committed to making tangible societal change. The opportunity to support the Trust’s governance and strategic direction while leveraging my skills to help shape impactful initiatives felt like a perfect alignment. As a Londoner, this is also my way of supporting my community, and it gives me an immense sense of contribution and fulfilment. I believe that every small act we can execute as a society to help make the world a little bit better matters.
Being a trustee on a board can seem like a big time commitment - how do you balance this with your day to day work?
Balancing my responsibilities as a Trustee alongside my professional commitments requires careful time management, but the Trust’s structured and inclusive approach to meetings and discussions makes it manageable. The role is flexible enough to allow for meaningful contributions without being overwhelming, and I ensure that I plan ahead to fully engage in meetings and decision-making. Ultimately, the work we do at the Trust is important, and it’s easy to prioritise something that aligns so well with my values.
What's your experience been like so far?
My experience so far of what it’s like to be part of the team has been truly rewarding. The team is passionate, insightful, and deeply committed to the Trust’s mission. I’ve been impressed by the level of engagement and expertise across the board, and it’s been great to collaborate with individuals who bring diverse perspectives and skills to the table. The discussions are always thought-provoking, and the emphasis on strong governance and strategic impact makes this a fulfilling role. And let's not forget that we are doing something good and positive for Londoners.