Farewell to outgoing Chairman Sir Ralph Waller
The Trust is saying farewell to Sir Ralph Waller, who steps down as our Chair after more than four years. Sir Ralph moves to our Senior Counsel group, and will be succeeded by Dame Julie Maxton as our Chair, who takes up the role on the 1st July 2023.
Sir Ralph joined the Trust as its Chair in 2018, joining the Kalisher family with a formidable CV, from his doctorate at King’s College London, to his long service at the University of Oxford including senior leadership roles, and his plaudits which include a Templeton Prize for progress in religion. This lifetime of achievements might indicate a daunting figure: but we have found exactly the opposite. In Sir Ralph the Trust gained a leader whose consistent interest in the success of others has been central to his role, and whose gentle charm and good humour reassures everyone he meets, from the most senior all the way to those at secondary school who are taking their first steps towards a career in Law.
Sir Ralph’s genuine interest in everyone working with the Trust; his obvious kindness; and his unrivalled ability to persuade volunteers to take one more step in the interests of a good cause have made him a leader greeted with warmth and enthusiasm throughout his time with the Trust. He has Chaired our charity through a global pandemic, retaining his unflappable, cheerful outlook no matter what is thrown at him, and has transformed the Trust’s fundraising and our educational networks. The Trust has so much to thank Sir Ralph for, and we are delighted that he remains part of the Kalisher family as a member of our Senior Counsel group.