Page 4 - HGS Suburb News 135 - Summer 2018

in conversation with...

...Emma Howard

Daphne Berkovi chats to our new Chair of the RA

more recently a dog – also Orchard in one of their units including the recruitment of
male!). We moved to Meadway and Emma related that she had more volunteers. She would like
Close in 2004. Our sons seen at first-hand how brilliant to see greater involvement from
attended King Alfred School this has been for her mother as the local community in areas
where they had a fantastic time she goes to events at Fellowship such as some new blood on
– my younger son is doing ‘A’ House several times a week, Council; increasing our
Levels this year and both my and loves the easy access to the membership numbers and
sons hope to go off to local shops in Temple Fortune thereby our influence; getting
university this autumn.” and to public transport, more people onto our standing
When I asked Emma what especially the tube at Golders committees (Events and Trees &
she liked about the Suburb, she Green and the H2 hopper bus. Open Spaces in particular).
told me that “most of all I love Emma endorsed the Equally Emma explained
the greenness, and the ideology of Henrietta Barnett that: “I would like more open
beautiful blossom in the spring in looking after the full meetings so that Residents can
time. There is no London community of people on the attend on matters of local
suburb that can beat this one Suburb. She says “This was interest, e.g. Traffic issues and
from that point of view. Also, amazingly far-sighted and I crime; pushing Barnet Council
we are so close to Central hope we can sustain and retain for a better refuse service.”
London and that was essential that in looking after people in She is also passionate about
for me for work. I think this our community.” improving links with local
feels like a small town in the So how did the new role of organisations, such as those
countryside, yet we can get Chair of Hampstead Garden represented at the recent and
everywhere really quickly, Suburb Residents Association very successful Summer Fair on
I was very fortunate in being able Grammar School in North My office was essentially in and there is lots going on in transpire? “Well 18 months ago Central Square, including the
to secure some time with Emma Finchley. Thereafter Emma Brussels, and I also had the the local area as well as in I joined the Roads and Traffic local community library, HGS
Howard, fitting in with her heavy studied Politics with German at opportunity to develop our Central London. Committee of the RA. Previously Archives, HGS Heritage,
work schedule as the new Chair Loughborough University. business in Africa. I travelled to I feel very lucky to have I had been a Governor of Abbeyfield, Fellowship House
of our Residents Association and After graduating from Hamburg and Lucerne a lot in the Heath Extension on our Brookland Schools for some (for whom the RA collects
hearing about her varied and University, Emma spent a year this role so my German came in doorstep. I walk our dog every years and was also involved donations) and Proms at St Jude’s.
interesting career coupled with teaching English as a Foreign useful at last. I retired in 2012 day and love the different parts with the local Proms at It was very apparent
her vision for the HGS community. Language in Germany near and now do some freelance of the Heath and also Big St Jude’s. I was then asked to throughout our conversation
Frankfurt. She explained: “I consulting and property work.” Wood. In fact, the more time I join the RA Council standing in that Emma’s objective to foster
mma’s early period started then spent most of my career So what brought Emma spend on the Heath, the more March 2017 and was quickly a good community atmosphere
E in the Suburb, where her working in taxation, initially as back to the Suburb? “Well I I appreciate it. voted onto the Executive was palpable. Despite being
parents rented a flat on the top a VAT Inspector with HM needed somewhere to rent “Peter and I also really like Committee of the RA and then very new in her role, Emma
floor of Meadway Court when Customs & Excise, as was, short term in late 1989 and a the feeling of community here. to Treasurer on a temporary brings not only a wealth of
she was born, and Emma before joining the profession as flat in Waterlow Court I sometimes attend St Jude’s or basis (although I am still doing experience and enthusiasm but
recalled that Meadway Court a VAT consultant. belonging to a friend of my the Free Church for services that too!). So I became also the enormous energy
had its own nursery in a I enjoyed a full and brother was available. I loved it and my husband is very immersed in the RA very quickly needed to ensure that the tasks
basement room where “I loved challenging career with top there, and that was my first real involved with Proms at St Jude’s and realised that the RA was ahead will be realised.
going to collect my older sister.” professional firms in London, taste of living in the Suburb. as he heads up their sponsor- doing good things yet there We wish her success in her
The family then moved out to and spent 17 years as a tax I then bought a cottage in ship programme and is a was scope for improvement. new position, and if you would
Mill Hill when Emma was 2½, partner at BDO Stoy Hayward Willifield Way in 1992; moved Trustee. Tomorrow I will be So, I decided to take up the like to support Emma and the RA
the family comprising five in Baker Street doing senior VAT on to Corringham Road in helping out at the Summer Fair challenge and try to move by volunteering in any of the wide
children (three girls, two boys). roles. In my last four years, I was 1996 by which time I was on Central Square which is a things on, becoming Chair in variety of roles, please contact
Primary school in Mill Hill on BDO’s Global Leadership engaged to my husband, Peter fantastic community event.” March 2018.” her at: rachair@hgs.org.uk or
was followed by secondary Team with various responsibilities, Jenkins. We started a family in Similarly, in 2012 Emma’s Emma explained that there on 8458 3883. She would be
school at St. Michael’s Convent which involved a lot of travelling. 1997 and have two sons (plus mother came to live at The are some challenges to tackle, delighted to hear from you

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