Chris Hollins has decided to step down from his position as Independent Chair of Third Sector Leeds (TSL) after six years in the role. These six years have seen huge changes not only in the city, but in the national landscape. Chris has expertly led the sector throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis, with vast impacts on the third sector and on communities living in Leeds.

Third Sector Leeds are very grateful for Chris’s tireless advocacy, passion for the sector and commitment to making a real change for communities.

We are pleased to announce that Kim Groves will become the Chair of TSL on 3 April, as Chris steps down. Kim served as a Councillor for Belle Isle and Middleton for 12 years, and as part of this held strategic roles as Scrutiny Chair for Culture and Economy, and Strategy and Resources. Kim was also the Deputy Chair of the Transport Committee and Lead Member for Public Transport for WYCA, and has held a number of board positions for third sector organisations. Kim brings with her a wealth of knowledge about communities in Leeds, expertise and a passion for the third sector.

“Firstly, I would like to thank Chris Hollins for his hard work and dedication over the past six years. It’s would take a whole report to capture the enormous difference he has made by being Chair of Third Sector Leeds in challenging times.

“Chris has and will continue to work for people and especially children in poverty. I have big shoes to fill as Chris had to deal with huge challenges in unprecedented times during his tenure and COVID-19 is only one example. Chris’s experience and services to the people of Leeds have been invaluable and will have made a difference to so many people.

“It is a privilege to take on the Chair role for Third Sector Leeds and be part of the work that focuses on creating a more equal and fair society.  We are living in challenging times and the third sector infrastructure is taking on the challenges due to continued austerity, COVID-19 19 and the cost of living crisis daily.

“Society needs a strong supported third sector to meet the needs of Leeds communities. I am going to be a strong advocate for Third Sector Leeds and hope that by working together, we can make sure that everyone shares the benefits of living in one of the fastest growing cities.”

Kim Groves, incoming Chair of Third Sector Leeds

 

“It is with mixed emotions that I am standing down as chair of Third Sector Leeds, a role I have been in for 5 and a half years (about 6 years in effect as I stood in for the previous chair for a while), and hand over to my successor – Kim Groves. Leaving has been a long- drawn-out process, but it is finally here. There are other contributory jobs which get collected along the way, one of those was being – ex officio – the deputy chair of the Third Sector Partnership group, and my last meeting there was earlier this week – a key point of communication and partnership between our sector and statutory agencies.

“I find it quite difficult to leave these things behind, not because of what has been done, but for the potential of what is to come. As a city we collectively face huge challenges, and in many ways we are in not too different a position from those 19^th century campaigners who highlighted our needs and helped channel the resources of our local economy into dealing with those needs. A recurring theme for me has been “how to eradicate child poverty in Leeds” but is often seen as being an ambition “too far” or beyond our means. Two of the things we can do as a sector as a whole are to have dreams for what could be done, and to provide a route to realise those dreams. As a politician once said, we do these things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.

“TSL – Third Sector Leeds – has reached a new milestone in demonstrating its value, and in doing so is fortunate in having attracted the attention and stature of our incoming chair. Kim Groves has already achieved her credibility in serving with the public sector and representing a community of Leeds. As a sector we should never give up on our dreams, with our brilliant staff support and with Kim in the role of chair we have every chance of reaching new milestones long the way. I feel we are in good hands.”

Chris Hollins

Independent chair – Third Sector Leeds 2017 -2023

 

Third Sector Leeds (TSL) is the leading policy body that advocates for the third sector’s values and interests in supporting Leeds’ city ambition.

We work closely with large organisations that set the direction for the city, including the Council and the Leeds office of the Integrated Care Board (ICB) in order to:

• Influence decisions that affect the communities the third sector works with.
• Ensure that as many third sector organisations as possible, particularly the smaller ones, are involved in discussions on city-wide challenges and solutions.
• Ensure third sector organisations can access information and support to help them play their part in changing Leeds for the better.

Our work is shaped by a group of third sector leaders who represent different parts of the sector and by our independent Chair. We hear the voices of the wider third sector through regular events, conversations and written consultation. Voluntary Action Leeds provide the support for TSL, which is an independent forum. Find out more about TSL’s recent activity.

 

Voluntary Action Leeds