Trauma Treatment International is delighted to welcome two new trustees to its board, each of whom brings a wealth of personal and working experience to the charity.

Alan Arul’s 20-year background in sales, business management, and marketing will provide a huge boost to TTI. Born in Paris to Sri Lankan parents, he moved to London as a child and went on to study economics at Queen Mary University.

While his first entry into working life was as a broker, he soon found his passion in marketing, and has been employed by JP Morgan Asset Management since 2011. He is now head of European product marketing for the company.

Alan’s experience gives him a keen insight into a range of complex business problems, having navigated constantly-evolving market, regulatory and industry dynamics.

Meanwhile, his role at JP Morgan has also given him the opportunity to make a difference in wider society. He explains: “I’ve been very active with local schools, mentoring young people to prepare them for job interviews, create their CVs and prepare them for a life outside education. I also participate in a buddy system at JP Morgan with young starters, particularly those from ethnic minorities.

“In terms of my role as a trustee with TTI, I can make the most impact when it comes to business development and looking at new ways of working.”

TTI chief executive Quen Geuter said: “With lived experience as a first-generation son of Tamil migrants, Alan knows well the impact of conflict on families through the generations and the necessity to access trauma treatment for the future generations to flourish.”

Joining our board as treasurer is Teresa Au, a certified public accountant who brings with her decades of financial management, strategic planning, and operational oversight. Teresa started her career as an auditor with PwC before becoming a chief financial and operating officer for different multi-national companies across Asia Pacific and Europe.

These roles included the establishment and expansion of Allianz Trade’s regional office in the Asia Pacific region, where she played a pivotal role in doubling the business's revenue within five years.

Teresa is currently director of finance and corporate services at Health Innovation East, the regional innovation arm of the NHS in the east of England. The non-profit organisation has a mission to improve care pathways and support the health and life sciences industry.

She says: “The first half of my career was about my own professional growth and career development. I wanted to start the second chapter and do something that would drive impact in society, especially in light of current global challenges.

“The mission and objectives of TTI really interested me, especially as they have an international focus. My role will be to assist the charity with financial advice and help it grow as an organisation.”

Quen said: “Teresa is a great fit for us at TTI. She has witnessed first-hand the profound impact of trauma on individuals, especially amidst global crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic and socio-political challenges across Asia Pacific.

“Her experience in diversifying revenue streams, implementing strategic initiatives, and fostering cross-cultural collaboration will undoubtedly benefit our mission and objectives. Her multicultural experiences also bring with them a deep understanding of global dynamics and the ability to navigate complex intercultural relationships.”