Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) has appointed Wendy Eley as its new chair. Wendy will join MEAM on 1 May 2025, following a competitive recruitment process led by Peridot Partners, the MEAM board and an individual with lived experience of multiple disadvantage.
Wendy’s appointment follows the recent news that Liv Corbishley will step down from her role as chair following a successful three year tenure, during which she has supported MEAM to expand its work and move into its new charitable structure.
Oliver Hilbery, chief executive of MEAM, said:
“The board, staff team and I are delighted to welcome Wendy Eley to her new role as MEAM chair.
“Throughout the recruitment process, Wendy impressed us with her broad civil service and board-level experience, her commitment to put equity at the heart of her approach and her interest in the intersectionality of issues related to multiple disadvantage. We are looking forward to working with Wendy as MEAM continues to expand its support for local areas in the years ahead.
“As Liv prepares to step down, the board, staff team and I express our thanks for her support and leadership over the last three years. The period has been an important time of development for MEAM and we are grateful for Liv’s guidance and insight as we moved MEAM into its new structure. We wish Liv well for her next exciting roles.”
Wendy Eley, incoming chair of MEAM said:
“I am delighted to be joining MEAM at this exciting point in its history.
“From its early beginnings in 2009, MEAM now works with over 50 local areas across the country, helping them to transform services and systems for people facing multiple disadvantage.
“The recent move of MEAM to a new charitable structure, with its founding partners on the board, presents exciting opportunities to further develop the support that MEAM provides.
“I am looking forward to working with the board, staff team, wider partners and people with lived experience to support MEAM’s development and to further improve the lives of people experiencing multiple disadvantage.“
Notes:
- Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) is the national charity supporting practitioners, policymakers and people with lived experience to transform services and systems for people facing multiple disadvantage. Formed as a coalition in 2009, we work across sectors, across government, and with more than 50 locals areas to improve responses and change lives. From January 2025, MEAM has operated as a charity with our partners Clinks, Collective Voice, Homeless Link and Mind on our board.
- Wendy Eley replaces Liv Corbishley, who served as chair of MEAM from 2022-2025 and Baroness Tyler who served as chair from 2013-2019. The MEAM coalition strategy is available here.