Announcing our new Executive Director and new Director to the Board
[London, 24th March 2025] Hackney Wick & Fish Island Community Development Trust are delighted to announce that Patrick Scally will become the Trust’s permanent Executive Director. Throughout 2024, Patrick has been instrumental in the CDT’s establishment of circular economy hub The Loop, securing its first 99 year lease on a property and growing our community impact.
Patrick brings extensive experience from his work with the London Boroughs of Hackney and Tower Hamlets' Creative Enterprise Zones, where he demonstrated a commitment to place-based economic development and local engagement. His knowledge of the area and passion for community-driven initiatives make him a perfect leader for HWFI CDT as we begin this new chapter.
Since 2017, the CDT has achieved many milestones including recent highlights such as:
Secured a landmark 99-year lease on our first property, marking a significant step toward long-term community ownership in Hackney Wick.
Launched The Loop, a first–of-its-kind micro demonstrator hub for the circular economy, positioning us at the forefront of sustainable development in East London.
Become the lead partner delivering the Hackney Town Hall, which allows us to broaden our engagement and ensure community voices are included in local decision-making.
These accomplishments highlight the dedication of our team, partners, and community members.
We are also thrilled to also announce the appointment of Juliet Can to our Board of Directors. Juliet is an esteemed advisor and policy leader with a profound commitment to democratic land ownership, cultural advancement, and social justice. Her extensive experience includes advisory roles with the Mayor of London’s Thames Estuary Production Corridor and co-chairing Creative Estuary. As a director of the Ethical Property Company and founder of Stour Trust,Juliet has championed community-led regeneration and equitable land access. Her visionary leadership and dedication to empowering communities will be invaluable as we continue our mission to drive sustainable development and innovation.
Having previously led the CDT as an Executive Director, Alex Russell is stepping down from the Board. Alex and her consultancy, Augarde & Partners, will continue to support the CDT in an advisory role focusing on securing new spaces for the organisation.
We would like to thank Abdi Mohamed for his invaluable contributions as a Director of HWFI CDT. His leadership and dedication have helped shape our mission, and we wish him every success in his new role as Labour Councillor for Bow East. We look forward to future collaboration.
The Board now consists of Sam Hansford (Chair and Co-Executive Director, Soho Theatre), Brian Akintokun (Co-Founder, Hackney Wick FC), Jenna Clark (Executive Headteacher, Gainsborough Primary School), Paul Reynolds (Founder, Tapestry Urbanism), William Chamberlain (Founder, Creative Wick), and Juliet Can (Founder, Stour Trust).
For more details, contact tom@theloco.co.
Sam Hansford Board Chair said: "I am delighted to welcome Patrick to his new role as Executive Director, and also excited to welcome Juliet Can as a Director of the CDT. I also want to thank Alex for her leadership as Executive Director from 2020 to 2024, followed by her playing a critical role as an Executive member of the Board over the past year alongside William and Paul. I am sure that with Patrick’s leadership we will build on the huge opportunities we have identified and secured for sustainable community-led development in Hackney Wick and Fish Island.”