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National AIDS Trust, the UK’s HIV rights charity, today announces the appointment of Professor Matthew Weait as its new Chair of the Board of Trustees. He will take up the role in July.
Matthew, who is currently Director of the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford, is an internationally recognised expert on the connections between the law, public health and HIV human rights. A Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health and the Academy of Social Sciences, Matthew’s scholarship critically examines the impact of criminalising HIV transmission, exposure and non-disclosure, outlining how such legal approaches often undermine public health objectives and worsen stigma against people living with HIV.
Matthew has acted as advisor to the British HIV Association, UNAIDS and the Global Commission on HIV and the Law.
Welcoming Matthew’s appointment, Robbie Currie, National AIDS Trust’s Chief Executive, said:
“We are thrilled and honoured that Matthew will be leading National AIDS Trust’s Board of Trustees and continuing the exemplary and important work that outgoing Chair, Professor Jane Anderson, has carried out with such rigor and commitment for the past nine years. Matthew’s outstanding expertise as a human rights lawyer perfectly aligns with our mission to end HIV stigma and discrimination.
“The Board of Trustees, senior management team and all the staff at National AIDS Trust look forward to working alongside Matthew, as the charity enters the next chapter of its rich history as it develops a new five-year strategic plan.”
Professor Jane Anderson will be stepping down as Chair of the Board of Trustees in July, after ten years at National AIDS Trust, nine of those as Chair. She added:
“It has been an honour to have worked with the talented and dedicated teams at National AIDS Trust, whose work is pivotal to the UK’s HIV response.
“In my time as Chair, we have won important victories for people living with or affected by HIV. This includes ensuring that effective HIV prevention (PrEP) is freely available on the NHS, delivering powerful research, drawing attention to barriers to equitable HIV related prevention, treatment and care, as well as establishing the HIV Commission whose work led to the National HIV Action Plan.
“These are huge game-changers for the sector, and I am very proud to have been a part of making history.
“I am delighted to now ‘pass the torch’ to Matthew, who has all the skills and commitment needed to steer National AIDS Trust as it continues the fight for HIV rights for everyone in the UK.”
Of his appointment, Matthew commented:
“I’m really excited to step into the role of Chair at such an important time for HIV advocacy and policy. National AIDS Trust has an essential job in making sure the voices of those living with, affected by, and at risk of HIV, are heard loud and clear. It’s crucial that we protect and expand their rights as we work together to end new HIV transmissions by 2030. I am looking forward to teaming up with the Trustees, the executive team, and all our partners in the sector to support the important mission of National AIDS Trust.”