Governance

Meet our governors

Maggie Elliott - Chair

Maggie knows Centre 404 well through her work as a trustee and chair of Cloudesley, a local foundation that has funded the charity’s work over many years. She has been chair of two other charities in the past – London Catalyst (funding charities across London to support those in poverty and ill-health) and The Food Chain (which provides nutritional support to those living with HIV) – and has recently joined the board of the Cripplegate Foundation. She continues to serve as a governor at a number of primary and secondary schools in Islington, where she has lived for over 25 years. In her professional life, Maggie runs a small marketing consultancy providing communications support to financial firms.

Sean McLaughlin - Vice Chair

Sean is a brand-new Trustee and member of Centre 404. He is chair of two housing associations and the Management Committee of New River College, which provides primary and secondary education for Islington children who need alternative provision. He retired from a career in local government in 2022, working in housing, homelessness, social care and health services. This included 10 years as Director of Housing and Adult Social Services in Islington, when he worked closely with Centre 404, and also became the national policy lead for learning disabilities and autism for the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services. He is looking forward to getting to know the services, staff and above all the huge community that make up Centre 404.

Derek Weist - Treasurer

Derek joined Centre 404 in 2012 and has been a member of the Executive Committee since 2013. Born and bred in North London, he started his career with EY and, after qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1987, he moved into the banking world. Derek has worked in a number of financial institutions, specialising in banking for the Muslim community. He is now fully retired but continues to provide advice and support to a number of voluntary organisations. Derek is committed to help improve the lives of those who have not enjoyed the same opportunities and is keen to extend his knowledge and experience into the charity sector.

Dr Paul Formosa

Paul has been volunteering with Centre 404 for over 15 years and remains eternally grateful for the support his family has received from us. Although his involvement outside of Trustee duties has now narrowed down to Friday Night Disco with adult son Dylan and incredibly rare appearances at gardening group, as a family carer he is reassured that if he ever needed any form of support it would be there for him. He brings a solid academic background (With an MA in Public Service Management and Phd in policy) and over two decades experience in governance and management. He was the Pay Haynes Memorial Trustee of the Year in 2021 and is also a Governor of the Cripplegate Foundation.

Copeland Ingram

Copeland lived in one of Centre 404’s supported living schemes for several years but now lives independently with his partner after being supported to move on successfully. Copeland has taken part in presentations with Centre 404 to feedback his experience of moving on and becoming more independent and has also taken part in the recruitment of senior staff. He still receives services from Centre 404’s Independent Living team and he enjoys going on the Centre 404 Family Support day-trips. Copeland has also maintained connections with old friends and former housemates through attending social events

Tara Willson

Tara works for the NHS. She has built an extensive knowledge of administration and health and safety issues through her working career. She has been very involved with the Building Committee, which she used to Chair, and is actively involved in the Volunteer Gardening Group at Centre 404. Tara has worked in the corporate, charity, and public sectors and has been a trustee of Centre 404 for over ten years.

Etienne Makosso

Etienne is a father and sole carer of his son with learning difficulties who attends a special school in Islington. As a parent, he is involved in what goes on in school and after-school clubs attended by young people with learning disabilities. In 2018, he became a parent governor for the school attended by his son. Etienne is a post-graduate in Economics who has worked for Non-Governmental Organisations combatting corruption in the extraction of mineral resources around the world.

Felix Arnold

Felix trained and qualified as a solicitor practising corporate and commercial law at the UK Law firm Slaughter and May. More recently, he has held Compliance roles in Coutts and JPMorgan, and he currently works as a legal consultant for a range of banks on implementing regulatory change programmes. As a parent of two children with special needs, he is a strong believer in the value of services provided to those with learning disabilities and Autism and is keen to support that provision.

Faye Oliver

Faye has just joined Centre 404 and is looking forward to learning more about the organisation. She is an experienced communications and engagement professional with a focus on health care. Faye previously worked with Centre 404 on a project that supported people to feel more comfortable when attending hospital. She is a north London resident and lives with her wife and cat in Archway.