R3 AGM 2026: New appointments to our Council

18 June 2026

On 30 April we held our AGM to confirm the appointments of R3 Council members for the year ahead. Council acts as the governing body of R3, determining policy and business strategy and supporting Caroline Sumner as CEO with the day to day running of the association. 

At this year’s AGM, we welcomed a new presidential team:

• Sonia Jordan was appointed R3 President
• Stephen Rome became R3 Vice President
• Rob Horton stepped into the role of Deputy Vice President
• Tom Russell moved into the position of Immediate Past President

This presidential structure ensures a consistent pathway of leadership succession in the years ahead, with continuity supported by the immediate past president role.

R3 Council has seen two new appointments this year:

• Ian Leonard joins Council representing Northern Ireland
• Richard Obank joins Council in a national position

To complement this experience, Council co-opts a young professional to represent the views of those in the earlier years of their career. In March 2026, Lucy Andrews of Paris Smith was appointed to Council for a one-year term. 

Members re-elected to Council:

Six existing Council members have been re-elected, ensuring continuity of expertise and regional representation:

• Rick Harrison (national)
• Rob Horton (national, Deputy Vice President)
• Maria Strong (national)
• Malcolm Weir (national)
• Thomas Bond (R3 London & South East)
• Sophia Harrison (R3 Scotland)

The following members remain in their Council terms and were not required to stand for re-election to stay in office:

• Alan Cadman (North West)
• Paul Kings (North East)
• Mike Pavitt (Southern and Thames Valley)
• Charles Turner (South West and Wales)
• Jodie Wildridge (Yorkshire)
• Louise Durkan (national)
• Simon Edel (national)
• Alison Curry (national)
• James Latham (national)
• Mark Lawford (national)

Council vacancies:

• Midlands regional Council position
• Eastern regional Council position

The above changes reflect both continuity in key roles and the introduction of new voices to support the associations work on behalf of the restructuring, turnaround and insolvency profession.

Thank you to those who leave Council:

At the AGM, special thanks were also noted for Tim Cooper, Sian Leonard, James Neill, Nick Pike and Philippa Lai who stepped down from Council following the conclusion of their terms. We are grateful for their insight and contributions to R3 and the broader profession throughout their appointments. 

Representing the view of R3 members

Learn more about our Council, national committees and regional networks we operate in support of the profession: https://www.r3.org.uk/community/