Graham Fisher took up the post of Chief Executive at Toynbee Hall in November 2008. Graham was previously the Chief Executive of MLA London the regional development agency for museums, libraries and archives. His career spans senior management and leadership roles in social justice, anti-poverty and cultural sectors in both the public and the not for profit sectors. He has a background in managing research, policy and strategy development with operational management experience of advice and legal services, capacity building, vocational and adult learning services.
Graham is also a Trustee of Cambridge House, a settlement in Southwark where he lives. He has also held a wide range of trusteeships in voluntary sector and his public appointments include being the Chair of London Living Places Partnership, Heritage Diversity Adviser to the Mayor of London’s African and Asian Heritage commission, as well as being a member of the London 2012 and cultural forums.
Graham has immediately begun work on developing a new strategic plan for Toynbee Hall that builds on its current strengths in areas including legal and social welfare advice, well-being services, education, learning and skills but that also aims to strengthen their local action and community empowerment work in East London. He is also keen to ensure the organisation strengthens its entrepreneurial skills and raises its profile locally, regionally and more widely. Other work underway includes a major conference to look at the problems of escalating consumer debt in London as the recession has a greater impact, identifying opportunities for a community legacy from London hosting the 2012 Olympic Games and improving the quality of Toynbee Hall’s buildings.
Toynbee Hall will be celebrating is 125th anniversary later in 2009 and a major programme of celebrations is currently being planned. It is hoped that IFS members might want to join in these celebrations over the coming year.
Graham.fisher@toynbeehall.org.uk