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Who’s Who?

Here are the current E16 CLT Board Members, elected by you at our AGM

Paul Regan
Chair

Paul Regan is a retired Methodist Minister based in the London Borough of Newham where he has lived since 1972.

He is chair of Applecartlive – a story telling and arts charity. He is vice-chair of Church Action for Tax Justice (part of The JustMoney Movement).

He is also on the board of Aston-Mansfield where he was Chief Executive until his retirement in 2005.

Gemma Kervaon Taylor
Treasurer

I was born and bred in Newham and have lived there all my life, I bought my place in Custom House, only to have the news that it will be knocked down.  I joined the CLT because I want to help my local community to be able to stay in Custom House and not to be forced to leave because of the cost of new developments.

Caroline Verdant

I’m a Higher Level Teaching Assistant at St Antony’s Catholic Primary School and a Newham Citizens leader.

I have become a board member as I was priced out of the housing market in Newham, I was born in Forest Gate and lived there up to 12 years ago. Today it is still an issue that I am very passionate about, I believe the local community should have a say in how their community is built and not be displaced at a moments notice.

Boglarka Filler

I have been living in the Canning Town/Custom House area since 2011. My experiences as a Mears tenant & disenfranchised person have prompted me to gain a degree in International Development, followed by further studies. I am a mother of two who has worked in retail intermittently but I have a keen interest in social sciences and community empowerment. 

Mabel Amponsah

I have lived in Custom House for 7 years now and am the secretary of the E16 CLT. I have 5 children and am a midwife at Newham General Hospital and am studying to become a health visitor. I have been a Mears tenant living in the regeneration area since I came to Custom House and have suffered from terrible housing conditions leading me to be moved to a different property.

Terry Regan

My name is Terrence Regan and I've lived in Custom house for 50 years on and off -

I moved in when I was 3 years old and had my 4th birthday here. I’ve been involved with the Custom House co-production steering group for about a year and half now after being elected to be a community rep. I’m also a member of PEACH and local charity organisations.

 

Lawrence Talabi

I was born in Nigeria in 1953 and I attended Yaba College of Technology and studied Accountancy. Following that I worked in accountancy in Nigeria from 1973 to 1988.

 

Daniel Navarro

I am an experienced real estate development professional. My career in the industry began working in a prominent London housing association where I witnessed first-hand the life changing benefits of providing good quality homes to those that needed them the most. I am passionate about unlocking opportunities for sustainable community-centred regeneration in Custom House.

We are also supported by the following paid and funded support:
Rowan Mackay
Project Advisor

Rowan has a public sector planning, urban design and project management background. He specialises in collaborative practice and co-production, with a focus on partnership working between communities, housing associations and local authorities. At CLH London he supports projects to establish a robust vision, governance structure and delivery strategy, together with the relationships needed to take the project forward. Rowan is also managing associate of the charity, Architecture Sans Frontières UK and in studying for a PhD in collaborative practice at Sheffield Hallam University. 

More about Boglarka Filler

I became a member of PEACH & E16 CLT as I wrote my dissertation on the housing crisis with the aim of exploring possible solutions and also helping local people. Ensuring that the regeneration benefits all is of key importance to me especially as I am planning to carry out further research on the topic. I am very happy to be part of the CLT.

More about Mabel Amponsah

I have been an active part of the Mears Cats campaign which has led to our rent being reduced by between 40-60%. I also worked for PEACH as a community organiser and helped to develop the Alternative Regeneration Plan with local residents which inspired E16 CLT to start up.

More about Terry Regan

My childhood in the area was great and full of good memories but I’ve seen so many changes. My first job and early career was in demolition and I was heavily involved with the demolition of the notorious Ronan Point and surrounding flats.

In my mid 20s I had a bad accident at work and received 27 breaks during a fall from a roof, I have had approximately 18 operations over the years. In between I’ve done a business course and had mental health and child safeguarding training along with other online courses during the lockdown. I’m very interest in the future of Custom House and want to be involved and a part of the regeneration and the CLT for a great way forward. I want to build a great area to be proud of and future for the community.

More about Lawrence Talabi

More recently, I attended University of London (Birkbeck) and obtained LLB and studied at Nigerian Law School where I obtained BL. I was called to the Nigerian Bar as Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria recently.