After many years bumping from horticulture through recycling , ex-offenders and supporting people experiencing homelessness, my current role sees me entrusted (wisely or not) with the role as CEO of ECT (Ealing Community Transport). We provide safe and accessible transport to people who would otherwise struggle to access mainstream public transport and so help them achieve what so many of us take for granted.
Long before it dawned on COPs and world leaders that there might be a real and pressing need to do something about protecting our environment (and hence society), I’ve been getting my hands dirty in trying to make sure as much of it as possible is protected and, given half a chance, added to. From my early days as an apprentice gardener working to establish conservation areas in the late 1980s, I’ve spent as much time as possible outside enjoying the natural world (both above and below water).
I had 8 very enjoyable years spent alongside Groundwork working for Blue Sky, which grew from Groundwork South with the aim of getting ex-offenders into jobs. Taking on the opportunity to get back involved with Groundwork East as a Trustee, and do what I can to provide support, was too good a chance to turn down.
John became a Trustee for Groundwork East in September 2022.
John sits on the Infrastructure Sub-committee.