Member Article

Trevor takes the reins at MEA Trust

A Newcastle trust which provides office space for charities has appointed a new chairman as it marks the latest chapter in its history.

MEA Trust, which owns MEA House - the iconic building at Ellison Place in the heart of the city- has announced Trevor Thurlow as the trust’s new chairman, ahead of the 40th anniversary of MEA House’s grand opening.

The five-storey landmark development was officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen on 1 July 1974 to provide high quality office accommodation at competitive rents, exclusively for charitable organisations. It sees fifty thousand people pass through its doors every year and has supported more than 50 organisations in its history.

Last year, the trust extended its criteria to enable local community interest companies (CICs), industrial and provident societies and other forms of social enterprise to rent space there.

Trevor, who lives near Richmond, North Yorkshire, joined MEA Trust three years ago while he was the campus services director for Northumbria University. He was a trustee for two years before becoming vice chairman last year.

Since retiring from Northumbria University 18 months ago, Trevor has played a major role - together with director Ann Wynn - in the ongoing development of MEA Trust’s services. This includes the launch of the newest offering, HIVE@MEA House, to mark MEA House’s 40th anniversary.

HIVE provides an affordable office environment especially for small charities, industrial and provident societies, CICs and other forms of social enterprise. It has space for six people to hire hot desks equipped with broadband, wi-fi and optional DDI telephone numbers, and there are three separate two-person offices available to hire within the unit, as well as all a dedicated meeting room.

Trevor said: “My involvement in MEA Trust over the past three years has been highly rewarding, and I’m delighted to have been appointed as chairman at this important time in the history of such a dynamic and responsive organisation.

“MEA Trust always strives to adapt to the changing needs of the charity sector and to find the best means of helping and supporting MEA House’s tenants. Now we’ve expanded our services by launching HIVE, to provide small charities with a no fuss, drop-in, hot desking environment from which they can grow.

“We’re not a commercial landlord, so we’re still the only building in Newcastle to be able to provide our unique set of services to charities in an unrivalled location within the city centre at such a competitive rate.

“Now that MEA House has reached its 40th anniversary, we’re focusing more than ever on continuing to provide flexible, good quality, affordable office accommodation, meeting our tenants’ expectations, and building on the public support that we have enjoyed since HM the Queen opened the building in 1974.”

MEA Trust director Ann Wynn said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Trevor as our new chairman. We have no doubt that his enthusiasm for the work of MEA Trust, in addition to his extensive property and estate management expertise will make him a great asset to us over the coming years.

“We’d like to thank our previous chairman Colin Seccombe for his support and dedication to the trust and wish him well for his future endeavours.”

For further information about MEA House, or to register interest in becoming a trustee, please contact Ann Wynn on 0191 255 1901 or visit www.meahouse.org.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by MEA House .