Today we meet Tony Coyne, Chair of Action West London. Tony Coyne, is a Solicitor by profession and combines his role as chair of AWL with being a partner with leading Law firm, Blake Morgan and he specialises in commercial property and secured lending work. Tony was also previously the Training Partner for the firm and was involved in a number of initiatives to open up solicitor training contracts to students from underrepresented backgrounds. A Professor of Legal Practice (part-time) at Brunel University of London Tony also supports Law students with practical advice gained from many years of personal experience as they transition from the academic world into the world of work. He is passionate about supporting students from lower socio-economic backgrounds to develop their confidence and prepare for the challenges of applying for legal roles in leading Law firms.
Tony, tell us about your trustee role – what does it involve?
As chair of trustees of AWL, I perform a variety of roles. First and foremost, it is a leadership role. Working with the other trustees and management in a collaborative way, I strive to ensure that our CEO and management are operating within the appropriate legal, financial and governance frameworks, ensuring that strategies and goals are set, followed and met; our primary purpose being to alleviate poverty across West London by following our mission of “changing lives through employment, education and enterprise.”
Practically speaking, this means chairing in a collaborative and creative way, our quarterly meetings with trustees and senior management and providing pro-active and supportive oversight, scrutiny and challenge to management performance. It is critical that the views of all the trustees are heard and one of my roles is to ensure that this happens.
Recently, I have been busily engaged with other trustees in the appointment of new trustees and the planning for an strategy Away Day for trustees and staff.
It is critical to the success of any organisation that Chair and CEO have a healthy, robust yet supportive working relationship and that their goals are aligned. To achieve this, I work closely with our CEO, Gary Buckley, holding weekly progress meetings where I offer Gary advice, support and challenge in the performance of his role measured against our agreed objectives. I am also involved in BD & Marketing, fundraising and profile raising activities for AWL including utilising my commercial networks in support of AWL causes.
As part of my leadership role, I am the principal external face of the trustees. I regularly write articles on important issues relating to the services that AWL provides and their importance to our West London community as well as on wider societal issues – most recently on the importance of voting and on the migrant related disturbances that took place over the Summer. I am an active user of LinkedIn and regularly repost AWL’s fantastic LinkedIn posts.
Tony his and his Family visiting AWLs Reduce and Recycle Hub on a rare day off
What originally made you want to become a trustee for AWL?
I see poverty in our communities on a daily basis and I see education, employment and enterprise as a way out of poverty. I am a West Londoner and I became aware of the fantastic work that AWL is doing in our community and I believed that I could be of service by joining AWL’s Trustee Board as chair and supporting the wonderful work that they do
How do you think your personal and employment experiences guide you as a trustee?
I am undoubtedly formed by my own personal lived experiences as the son of working class Irish immigrants and the father of a disabled daughter so I am empathetic to those striving to improve their situation through education and to those who are voiceless and vulnerable. Over time, I became increasingly aware of the social good that I could do from my relatively privileged position as a solicitor and partner in major Law firms. I hope that in a small way, I have managed to do some good.
How do your skills and knowledge from your career translate into your trustee role?
As a Solicitor, I utilise legal and financial skills on a daily basis and those skills can be employed for the benefit of AWL.
What do you find most rewarding about being a trustee?
It’s very satisfying to hear about the many individual success stories of the clients that we have helped into education, employment and to start a business.
What’s been your proudest moment as a trustee?
There are so many. I am proud that AWL has been serving disadvantaged people in West London for over 25 years. I am proud of the dedicated work of the trustees, management and staff and proud that AWL has made a difference to so many disadvantaged people in West London by improving their education, job prospects and entrepreneurial skills.
What are your goals as a trustee?
Quite simply, through the magnificent work that AWL does, to improve the life chances and conditions of some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
What’s the most fun thing about being a trustee?
My trustee colleagues and management team are a great group of dedicated people and I always look forward to seeing them and to share our success stories. And not forgetting those occasions when we are privileged enough for our efforts to be rewarded with an award in recognition of the great work done by AWL.
What advice would you give to others who are considering becoming a trustee?
If you have a passion for helping others, don’t hesitate, get involved!