Long serving volunteer board member steps down

After 10 years of volunteer service it is announced today that Mark Perez has stepped down from the board of Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin’s Just Credit Union.

Mark, 50, has served the not-for-profit savings and loans co-operative as Secretary, Money Laundering Officer, Vice Chair and Chair, but with a change of jobs and a move to Wales he has decided now is the opportune moment to move on.

Mark said today: “I will always have the fondest memories of my time with Just, from the early days sat in the Shirehall and not saying much – just figuring out what it was all about - to being able to make a full contribution to its strategic direction.

“The last decade has certainly seen the organisation go through seismic shifts, both internally and externally. We’ve faced down a pandemic and cost of living crisis, reaching out to our members when they needed us most. We’ve invested in technology and kept Just Credit Union relevant during these years.

“I am most proud that along with so many other credit unions Just remains a vital piece in the glue that holds society together, ensuring that everyone has access to affordable credit.”

He went on: “All the staff and Board members can be justly proud of their roles and contribution to this vital service. None of this just happens, it takes hard work and a whole team bringing together different skills, but all with commitment to our core ethics and values.

“At a personal level, as well as tying closely with my own values, volunteering on the Board has been a huge help in my career, working at a strategic level in areas around finance, governance and policy. I am in no doubt that it has benefited my career progression.”

Mark added: “In the same way that Just has grown, so has the Board, in skills and diversity, ensuring that Just will have a sunny future at the heart of the community.

“I’ve loved my time on the Board, in person and online zoom calls, sitting around a table in the Shirehall, and our strategy  ‘Away Days’.  I know I leave it in the very best of hands with a very bright future.”

June Campbell, who took over from Mark as Chair, said: “We all owe Mark a great debt of gratitude for his unswerving commitment to Just Credit Union and the people of Shropshire.

“I particularly appreciate his positive attitude whatever the world was throwing at us and his uncompromising drive to provide the best possible service for our members.

“It’s good to know that Mark found volunteering as a Board member fulfilling and that it contributed to his career skills.”

She added: “If you feel you could be the next Mark Perez find out more about joining Just Credit Union’s Board by emailing steve.barras@justcreditunion.org and requesting a Board Recruitment Pack.”