Charity Victim Support Isle of Man has appointed Ali Thomas of Hannan Law as its new chair.

With more than 20 years of experience in the legal field in the island, Ali brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the charity, which offers free and confidential help to victims and witnesses of crime, their family and friends.

Ali said: ‘I am really pleased to have been appointed into this role – having worked within the legal field, and in particular the family courts, I have a working knowledge of the work of Victim Support Isle of Man and value their services both to victims and witnesses of crime.

‘Additionally being a director of the Women’s Refuge, I appreciate the significance of Victim Support Isle of Man and the importance of its services in regards to those living in Domestic Abuse situations.’

Ali’s appointment process was supported by Paragon Recruitment.

She will work closely with the charity’s chief executive, employees, directors, volunteers, funders and corporate partners.

The charity’s chief executive Lorna Trevethan explains: ‘I am so pleased that Ali has joined the organisation as chair.

‘She has joined us at an important time for the charity as we prepare for our 25th Anniversary in 2024. Having a chair who is passionate about the charity and the essential services we provide to the community is so important.’

In addition to the appointment the charity has welcomed two new directors to the charity’s board.

These appointments follow the resignations of Directors Dee Copley and Debi Michelson, who have served on the board for a number of years.

Lorna says: ‘We are sorry to see both Dee and Debi leave, and are very grateful for all their hard work and support through some difficult times, especially the pandemic, and wish them well for the future.’

Rob Kinrade of Expol and Adam Horne of The Digital Group are the newly appointed directors and between them bring a wealth of experience as the charity begins a new chapter.

Lorna continues, “I am delighted to welcome Adam and Rob to the Board and am really looking forward to working with them, especially as we begin our 25th Anniversary celebrations and shape Victim Support Isle of Man for the next 25 years.”

Adam said: ‘It’s great to be involved in such a worthwhile charity. I worked with them over the summer in re-developing their website and was delighted when I was invited to join the board. They are such a dedicated and committed team and provide such an important service to victims and witnesses of crimes and other traumatic incidents. I am really looking forward to working with the team and the rest of the board.’

Rob added: ‘I feel very humbled and privileged to have been invited to join the Board of Directors of VSIoM. I hope that my experiences from the last 40 years of having been a police officer and then a corporate investigator in the private sector will be transferable to this wonderful charity. During those years I came into contact with countless victims of serious crime and other traumatic and highly stressful experiences. So perhaps I have a starting point to add value to the team.’

Referrals to the chairty for the current financial year from April 2023 are up 32% on the same period last year, with approximately 50% of current cases being related to domestic abuse.

For further information, visit www.victimsupport.im, or contact the charity via [email protected] or call 01624 679950.