HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust has announced the appointment of two new trustees to their board – Dr Claire Dewsnap and Melanie Knight.
Terrence Higgins Trust say the appointments come at “a crucial time” as there’s just six years left to achieve the “life-changing goal” of ending new cases of HIV by 2030. According to the charity, the trustees will play “a pivotal role” in holding the “UK Government’s feet to fire” and to make sure this commitment is achieved. Claire and Melanie’s expertise will, according to Terrence Higgins Trust, be vital as the charity strives to ensure people living with HIV can live a life free from stigma and discrimination and that sexual and reproductive health is a national priority.
Dr Claire Dewsnap is a Consultant Physician in Genitourinary Medicine at Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as well as President of the British Association for HIV and Sexual Health (BASHH). As BASHH President, Claire played a key role working alongside Terrence Higgins Trust to tackle the UK’s mpox outbreak in 2022 and has been one of the loudest voices in the fight for better sexual health.
Claire brings to the board a wealth of experience in change implementation, quality and service improvement and teaching and training. She has delivered in a number of leadership roles within the NHS including clinical lead across two departments and lead for quality improvement across Outpatient services. Claire’s research interests include management of bacterial STIs and online testing.
She said: “I am delighted to be a Trustee at Terrence Higgins Trust in this historic time as we work to end new cases of HIV by 2030. As well as working on change implementation within the charity, I’m looking forward to advocating for people living with HIV and putting their voices at the centre of everything we do.
“From the first HIV activism to the UK, to tackling sexual health inequalities, Terrence Higgins Trust had always been a radical and ambitious force and I am delighted to support the charity to make an even bigger difference to the lives of people affected by HIV and poor sexual health.”
Melanie Knight is a Partner at KPMG and leads corporate services transformation work across the public sector, and is also the LGBTQ+ Ally Lead for the company. She has worked with a range of clients across public, private and charitable sectors – last year Melanie worked alongside Network Rail and KPMG – together, the organisations raised £40,000 to mark 40 years of Terrence Higgins Trust.
After supporting close friends who had been diagnosed with HIV, Melanie felt compelled to help Terrence Higgins Trust and started volunteering for the charity on reception. Over the last 14 years, Melanie has worked in a number of voluntary roles from being on the Audit Committee through to fundraising.
She said: “I am honoured to have the opportunity to be a Trustee at Terrence Higgins Trust and bring my professional experience to a cause so close to my heart. We stand on the shoulders of giants who fought for 40 years of progress and now have the opportunity to end new cases of HIV by 2030 – this gives me so much hope and inspiration.
“We have all the tools needed to achieve this life-changing goal, but we won’t do it without ending the stigma around HIV. I am committed to working towards a future where there are no new cases of HIV and people living with HIV can get the support they need.
Jonathan McShane, Chair of Trustees at Terrence Higgins Trust, added: “I am thrilled to welcome Claire and Melanie to Terrence Higgins Trust. Our charity has already worked closely with both of our new trustees and know just how dedicated they are to fighting for progress. We’re incredibly proud to have Claire and Melanie on our Board and know their experience will be invaluable as we do everything in our power to end new cases of HIV by 2030 and improve the nation’s sexual and reproductive health.”
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