We are delighted to announce that our treasurer John Chown has been shortlisted in not one but in two categories of the Institute Of Directors Wales Director of the Year Awards 2023. John has been shortlisted in the Non-Executive Director category and also in the Public / Third Sector Director category.
The awards, in partnership with Cardiff Business School, seek to reward the successes of directors representing a wide spectrum of businesses, organisations and sectors the length and breadth of Wales.
John, who is a qualified chartered accountant by day, joined the Daring to Dream board in July 2020 and has worked tirelessly to help the charity. In fact, he’s so passionate to help the Daring To Dream cause that he even walked on hot wood to help raise money for us!
John, 69, said he’s delighted to have made the final of the awards.
He said: “I have my wife Kerry and Barbara to thank for entering me into the awards and it’s lovely to be recognised. I’ve worked alongside Barbara since 2020 and it’s fantastic to be part of the Daring To Dream team.
“Daring To Dream is all about the emotional wellbeing of those who suffer physically with their health. Even in good health, emotional wellbeing is crucial but when you are chronically ill, it’s even more important to try and manage emotional wellbeing too. Being part of the charity’s growth, under Barbara’s leadership, has been an absolute joy and it’s wonderful to be involved as treasurer.
“I’ve also enjoyed some experiences that would never have come about if it wasn’t for my involvement with Daring To Dream. For example, Barbara encouraged me last year to take part in a fire walk which was basically walking on hot planks of wood. We raised lots of funds from the event and it was certainly an experience – a very hot one at that!
“It’s also through my involvement with Daring To Dream that I was invited onto Radio Glamorgan recently to take part on a show called ‘Music was my first love’. I had to choose 10 songs that were important to me, a bit like Desert Island Discs and it was great fun.”
John has been a director of Williams Ross Limited in Cardiff for 20 years. He has had a professional involvement in providing accountancy services, advice, support, and training in the not for profit sector covering charities, credit unions and other voluntary organisations for a number of years.
As well as Daring To Dream, John is also on the board of Cynon Taff Housing Association, Down to Zero, The Bevan Foundation, Cwmpas, and a community energy company called Ynni Teg Cyf.
Daring to Dream’s Chair Barbara Chidgey said she is absolutely delighted that John has been shortlisted in both the Public/ Third Sector Director and Non-Executive Director categories for the IOD Director of the Year awards, which take place on May 12 at ICC Wales.
She said: “John has been a constant supporter of Daring To Dream. We are extremely fortunate to have him as part of team Daring to Dream and thrilled that he has been recognised for his enormous commitment and contribution and skills within the charity sector. Good luck John! We will all be cheering you on!”
