Napo's National Chair Helen Banner, who commenced her role in October 2022, has informed the General Secretary of her decision to resign from her post.
In her letter to Ian, Helen references that having returned from a period of 3 weeks post-operative sick leave, combined with the expectations placed on her, she has concluded that she cannot continue in her role.
Ian comments: 'Members will share my disappointment on hearing this news. Helen has been highly effective in applying her extensive professional knowledge to our work with senior management and has given tremendous energy and total commitment on behalf of all Napo members during her time as National Chair.
I am sure that Napo members everywhere will join the Officers and Staff in offering Helen our best wishes for the future.
Ben Cockburn appointed as acting National Chair
Given the proximity of the seasonal break the (elected) Napo Officer’s Group met this morning and those present agreed that Ben Cockburn – Vice Chair (Probation) – will take on the role of acting National Chair until a further decision can be made at the next meeting of Napo’s National Executive Committee (NEC), now expected to take place in early-mid January of 2024.
For information for members Napo’s Constitution contains the following provision for these circumstances:-
“9(d) Should an officer for any reason cease to hold the office to which she or he has been elected before the period of office expires, the NEC shall be empowered to fill the vacancy by: (i) the appointment of an acting Chair or Vice-Chair, or; (ii) inviting nominations for the vacant post and conducting an election by secret ballot of all full members.”
Further news will be issued in respect of this process in due course.