Meet Our New Trustees

Stephanie Wand

Head of Technology Strategy, Bupa

Stephanie brings 17 years of experience in technology, strategy and organisational improvement. Throughout her career, she has helped organisations find better ways of working, with a particular focus on making technology and digital services more accessible and easier for everyone to use. Before joining Bupa in 2021, Stephanie held a range of roles in project management, planning and strategy. She has worked to make technology more accessible and environmentally sustainable. She was also recognised as a finalist in the everywoman in Tech Awards’ Tech for Good category.

What Stephanie brings to Centre 404

Stephanie is passionate about the opportunities technology can create to improve people’s lives. At Centre 404, she will help us consider how we can use technology and digital tools to make our services more accessible and improve the way we work.

Importantly, Stephanie believes that technology should help strengthen the personal relationships and individualised support that make Centre 404 special, rather than replace them. Stephanie also has a personal connection to autism through family and friends, bringing an additional perspective and understanding to her role. We’re pleased to welcome Stephanie to the Board and look forward to the experience, enthusiasm and perspective she will bring to Centre 404.

Stephanie says, “I’m proud to be joining the Board of Centre 404. I’m excited to contribute to and learn from an organisation that has such a positive impact on children, adults and their families.”

Lea-Jane Baird

Chief Product Officer, Retail Banking, Shawbrook Bank

Lea-Jane brings 13 years of experience in technology, digital services and organisational change. In her career, she has worked with organisations to improve the services they provide, helping them better understand people’s needs and make meaningful changes.

In her current role at Shawbrook Bank, she leads teams responsible for designing and improving services, with a strong focus on making sure they work well for the people who use them. Throughout her career, Lea-Jane has focused on listening to people, understanding their experiences and using their feedback to shape better services.

What Lea-Jane brings to Centre 404

At Centre 404, the people we support and their families should have a meaningful voice in shaping the services they receive. This is something Lea-Jane feels strongly about.

She is passionate about ensuring that people’s experiences, ideas and aspirations are listened to and reflected in the decisions we make. Lea-Jane will bring her experience to our work on strategy, service quality, co-production, and digital development, helping us continue to improve.

She also has personal experience of supporting family members through care and support services. She understands how important it is for people and families to feel listened to, valued and cared for. We’re really pleased to welcome Lea-Jane and look forward to the contribution she will make to Centre 404.

Lea-Jane says, “I joined the Board because I’ve seen first-hand how much it matters when families feel properly supported. Centre 404 does that brilliantly, and I’m looking forward to helping it reach even more people in the years ahead.”

Kapil Halai

Senior Finance Business Partner (Technology), Sage Publications

Kapil joins Centre 404 as our new Treasurer, bringing 15 years of experience in finance, financial planning and helping organisations to make important decisions. Throughout his career, including roles at Sage Publications, Sky, BT and EE, he has worked with senior leaders to make sure organisations spend money wisely and plan for the future.

He is particularly skilled at making financial information clear and accessible, helping people feel confident and involved in financial decisions.

What Kapil brings to Centre 404

As a charity, we know how important it is to make the most of our resources so that we can continue providing high-quality support to people and families. As our new Treasurer, Kapil will play an important role in helping Centre 404 remain financially strong and sustainable, both now and in the years ahead. He will help our Board manage finances and plan ahead, making sure resources are used where they can make the biggest difference.

Kapil also has a personal connection to learning disabilities through members of his family. He has seen first-hand the difference that good support can make, and this experience has helped shape his commitment to Centre 404 and the people we work with. We’re delighted that Kapil is bringing both his professional experience and personal understanding to his new role.

Kapil says, “I joined Centre 404’s board because I wanted my finance experience to make a real difference to people’s lives. Seeing the care and commitment of the team, and the impact it has on people with learning disabilities and their families, made this an easy decision.”

Reflections from our Chair

I’ve been honoured to be chair of Centre 404 for the past two years. I’ve long been amazed by the quality of the services the organisation provides. But I’ve been even more impressed to see the difference our marvellous staff make in the lives of those they support. It’s all about going above and beyond! This includes our wonderful board and executive leadership team – all of whom are unstinting in their support and ambition for Centre 404! – Maggie Elliott

Looking ahead together

Our new trustees join Centre 404 at an important time as we begin putting our new strategy into action and planning for the future.

Their different backgrounds, skills and experiences will help us strengthen our work, embrace new opportunities and continue improving our services. Most importantly, they share our commitment to ensuring that people with learning disabilities, autistic people and their families have the opportunities, support and choices they need to live the lives they want.

We’d also like to say a heartfelt thank you to all our existing trustees, particularly Derek Weist, who has stepped down as Treasurer after 14 years. We are very fortunate that he will continue as a member of our Board. We’re also extremely grateful to Tara Willson and Etienne Makosso for their time and commitment to Centre 404 as they step down from the Board.

We’re very thankful to everyone who gives their time and expertise to help Centre 404 make a difference.

Please join us in giving Stephanie, Lea-Jane and Kapil a very warm welcome. We look forward to everything we can achieve together.