News from Affinity Trust
Keeping you updated.
Welcome to Our New CEO, Kerry Dearden
We are thrilled to announce Kerry Dearden's appointment as the new Chief Executive Officer of Affinity Trust. Kerry brings with her a wealth of experience and a deep passion for supporting people with learning disabilities. Her background in social care leadership and innovation makes her well-positioned to guide Affinity Trust into the future.
Kerry’s vision focuses on enhancing person-centred support, expanding our impact, and harnessing the power of technology to improve the lives of those we support. She is deeply committed to working closely the people we support, their families, and the communities where we work to ensure we continue to empower people to live their lives their way.
In her own words, Kerry says: “I am honoured to step into this role at such an exciting time for Affinity Trust. I look forward to building on our strong foundations and collaborating with our incredible teams to achieve even greater outcomes for the people we support.”
Thank you Leo Sowerby for over two decades of Leadership
As we welcome Kerry, we also celebrate the remarkable contributions of our outgoing CEO, Leo Sowerby. Leo has retired after over 20 years of dedicated service, leaving behind an enduring legacy of compassion, growth, and innovation.
Under Leo’s leadership, Affinity Trust has grown into one of the leading providers of support for people with learning disabilities in the UK. His commitment to putting people first has shaped our organisation’s values and ensured that our support truly makes a difference.
Reflecting on his time with Affinity Trust, Leo shared: “It has been a privilege to lead such an extraordinary organisation. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together and excited to see how Affinity Trust will continue to thrive under Kerry’s leadership.”
National Coproducer Action Group forming in 2025
We’re excited to share that in early 2025, we’ll be launching our National Coproducer Action Group. This group will bring together people we support and their families to collaborate directly with us, shaping the future of Affinity Trust. It’s a meaningful way to ensure that the perspectives of families and the people we support are at the heart of everything we do—whether that’s improving day-to-day support or driving big-picture changes across the organisation.
Coproduction is more than a buzzword for us—it’s about listening, learning, and taking action together. From small, individual ideas to national initiatives like the new Action Group, we’re committed to creating real change, led by those who matter most. Together, we can ensure that every person supported by Affinity Trust can live the life they choose, with the people who know and care about them by their side.
Divisional Star Awards Nominations Opens in April
We are excited to announce that nominations for the Divisional Star Awards will open in April 2025. These awards celebrate the incredible achievements of our staff and the people we support, recognising the dedication, creativity, and passion that drive our success. Be sure to return to this page in April to submit your nomination and help us shine a light on our community's outstanding contributions.