At our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November 2025, our community of members formally elected Estifanos and Kirstin into their new positions, following the departure of our long standing Co-Chair’s Gina Vettese and Amanda Edwards.
Earlier in 2025, our Board of Trustees made the decision to move from a joint to single CEO model. This saw our organisational structure evolve with Charlet Wilson becoming CEO and David Jenkins becoming Deputy CEO.
Photo: From Left to Right, Kirstin Hellard Vice Chair, Estifanos Habteselassie Chair and Charlet Wilson CEO.
Merton CIL continues to go from strength to strength, and we are excited to see how the lived expertise, creativity, skills and knowledge of our new leaders will transform our organisation.
Estifanos, Chair of Trustees
"It’s a great honour for me to accept the role of Chair at Merton CIL. I’ve been a Trustee for eight years now and have seen the organisation grow and transform.
Our organisation has and will continue to make an important contribution to Merton through the services we provide, as well as actively campaigning for the rights of Disabled people with other Disabled People’s Organisations.
I congratulate Charlet as well as staff, members and the board for the work they have done in the challenging and changing times we are in."
Kirstin Hellard, Vice Chair of Trustees
“It's an honour to step into the Vice Chair role. I'm proud of the work the team does with and alongside our Disabled community, especially at a time when support and systems feel uncertain.
What sets Merton CIL apart is that lived experience genuinely shapes decisions. Inequality is challenged, and people are supported to have their voices heard in the spaces where influence sits.
The team have created a space where people can take part on equal terms, where barriers are removed instead of built around and people can just be themselves. I love that.”
Charlet Wilson, CEO
“It is a great privilege to fill the CEO position at Merton CIL. Ever since I joined the organisation over 10 years ago, I have been passionate about our work pushing for disability justice and a more equitable society for all. I am looking forward to working with our incredible team, as well as trustees and members to creatively work towards achieving our organisation's aims.
I am delighted that our community of members appointed Estifanos and Kirstin to lead our Board of Trustees. It is an honour to work with two individuals that are dedicated, considered, compassionate, strategic and hungry for change. I am extremely optimistic that under the leadership of Estifanos and Kirstin, Merton CIL will thrive. Congratulations Estifanos and Kirstin!"
If you are interested in joining our Board of Trustees or Staff Team, you can find out more here.