Ex-Future Faces president to lead Ronald McDonald charity
Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham - the charity which provides home-away-from-home accommodation to children under care at the nearby Birmingham Children 's Hospital - has appointed a new chair to lead its board of governors.
Mark Hipwell (pictured), a past president of the Future Faces Chamber of Commerce, will succeed Doug Wright who has stepped down after six years in the role.
Mark is a senior technical interface manager for the Systra Motts Macdonald Joint Venture, working on the main works civils design for phase one of HS2.
He served as president of Future Faces - the young professionals ' arm of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce - from 2018 to 2020.
Mark joined the RMHC Birmingham house board in 2020 and has been involved in a number of fundraising initiatives, including the House-to-House challenge - in which he raised £2,500 by running and walking 1,000km.
He said: “I am over the moon to be asked to follow Doug as the chairperson for the RMHC Birmingham board,
“It's a little scary to follow such an incredibly generous person and hero of mine but I'm excited for the challenge.
“The work the charity does is vital. With hotel costs and the often zero notice that can come with illness, being able to support parents and guardians to stay close to their children is amazing.
“I look forward to promoting the charity, celebrating the work it does in the city and taking its reputation up a level. ”
Outgoing chair Doug Wright said: “'I 'm delighted that Mark has been appointed chair to succeed myself.
“He is an exceptional individual who has a great future ahead of him. He has all the necessary attributes to be the lead and face of RMHC in Birmingham and to ensure that this wonderful charity is fully integrated within the businesses and communities of Birmingham and the wider region.
“I was greatly impressed with Mark 's leadership of Future Faces and the impact he made across the regional charity sector. I wish him great success as chair. ”