UCEM makes two new appointments amid updates to Board of Trustees
Posted on: 12 December, 2023
On 30 November, UCEM held a meeting for its Board of Trustees at its Horizons office, Reading. Among many significant updates resulting from the meeting which will follow in due course, two brand new Board Apprentice appointments were confirmed.
New appointments to the UCEM Board of Trustees
As part of the Board Apprentice Scheme run by the university, two alumni are given the opportunity to join the Board of Trustees for a two-year term. This year’s successful applicants were Chrystal Augustine and Lucy Gaitskell.
Chrystal Augustine
Chrystal is an International Estate Surveyor at David Lloyd Leisure, a position she has held since January 2023. In the last twelve years of her career to date, she’s previously worked for Montagu Evans, Cineworld Cinemas and Ultralife Healthcare.
Chrystal will receive mentorship from Professor Michelle Jones, who commented:
“The board apprentice scheme is a brilliant way of fostering emerging talent. This initiative empowers apprentices with insights into leadership, decision-making, and governance intricacies. In return, the board benefits from fresh perspectives through dynamic knowledge exchange.
“Chrystal’s global insights will bring invaluable perspective. For me, mentoring is a collaborative journey of shared growth. I eagerly anticipate engaging discussions and challenges, particularly in the realm of equality, diversity, and inclusion within the built environment industry and at UCEM.”
Lucy Gaitskell
Lucy Gaitskell completed the MBA in Construction and Real Estate with UCEM in 2020, graduating with Merit. Since August of the same year, she has served as Director and Co-Owner of Rolcor Serviced Accommodation and Investments Ltd. Lucy will receive mentorship from Independent Trustee Dominic O’Rourke, Group Property Director of Next Plc.
On her appointment to the board, Lucy commented:
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have been selected to join the board as an apprentice trustee and to have Dominic O’Rourke as my mentor. UCEM have played a really important role in my property journey so far and I’m looking forward to immersing myself in ‘board life’ and learning and absorbing everything I can in the next two years as well as giving something back for everything that they have done to support me!”
In order to make way for Chrystal and Lucy, UCEM Board Apprentices Becky Powley and Laura Bell, who were previously appointed to the board in 2021, finished their two-year terms. They received gifts from the board as part of their farewell.
Alastair Martin, secretary and keeper of records at The Duchy of Cornwall, who has served as a UCEM Independent Trustee and Becky’s mentor during her term on the board, also departed.
