GYROS Trustees

Tony Dailide - Chair

Tony grew up in the East End of London. His mother had moved from Ireland to pursue a career in nursing and his father was a Lithuanian refugee. This gave him direct experience of the challenges and issues faced by migrant communities in Britain at the time, and fuelled his determination to support others in similar situations.

His early career included teaching science in secondary school, community youth work, and two years in Kenya with VSO. After four years as a community worker, he did an MA in social work and eventually became a specialist in drugs and alcohol and supporting people with HIV from drug use. His career advanced to becoming Director of Adult Social Care.

Tony has three grown up children and two grandchildren and lives in North Norfolk with his wife Claire. He is very proud to be part of a dedicated and effective charity working in the area of immigration.

Anita Wojtowicz - Vice Chair

Anita moved to Norfolk from Poland as an economic migrant aged 22, eventually settling in Great Yarmouth.

Like many migrants, she initially worked a variety of different jobs as she learned about her new country and developed her English language skills. Having discovered a love for teaching and learning, Anita worked for several years as an ESOL tutor and interpreter, running various groups supporting migrants learning English. She has previously worked as an advisor at GYROS, which gives her a first-hand understanding of the daily challenges that staff face.

Anita moved on to pursue a career in education, studying at UCS and becoming a qualified teacher. She works at a local primary school as she enjoys working with children and wants to make a difference.

Anita has built a successful new life in the UK and values being able to support an organisation that helps others to do the same.

Jenny Newcombe - Treasurer

Jenny’s family is from Great Yarmouth and she’s lived here all her life. She’s seen many changes in the town over the years, which she also sees reflected in the areas and people that GYROS works with.

She was a civil servant for 19 years, specialising in Court work for debt recovery. She joined the GYROS team in 2011 as a receptionist and administrator, and when she left as an employee in 2019 she was invited to join the board and became a trustee.

As well as her in-depth knowledge of the local community, Jenny brings prior expertise as a union representative and a good understanding of best employment practice to the team. She currently serves as Treasurer to the board.

In Spring 2024 Jenny was elected as a Borough Councillor for Southtown and Cobholm; she is proud to serve the ward where she was brought up and where many of our clients live.

Derek Neale

Derek Neale is a writer and academic. Born and brought up in Birmingham, he left school aged 16, working in a variety of jobs in the UK and abroad before returning to education in his thirties via Coleg Harlech, Gwynedd and the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), where he gained his MA and PhD. He lives in North Norfolk.

Derek has facilitated writing activities in prisons and taught Creative Writing and Literature at UEA and The Open University, where he is Emeritus Professor. He is co-Chair of the National Association of Writers in Education.

Derek has a passionate interest in the way marginalised lives are portrayed by the media and official bodies. He believes enabling people to talk about and narrate their own lives is a key feature of any integrated society. He sees the work of GYROS with migrant, displaced and refugee clients as essential and inspirational.

Olu Ogunnowo

Olu was born in Lagos, Nigeria. A Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales and Attorney & Counsellor at law, New York, USA, with just under 30 years’ experience of practice in Civil Litigation, covering a broad range of legal areas including but not limited to UK Immigration & Asylum laws. Olu is a graduate of law from the University College London and currently practices law across London, East Anglia and the South East.

He is a passionate advocate for social justice and has been an integral part of many valuable initiatives including services as Chair of the Norfolk & Norwich Racial Equality Council, Space East, England, a charity serving the interest of homelessness and service providers in East Anglia. Olu is a Trustee of the Norwich Circuit of the Methodist Church of Great Britain, where he is one of John Wesley’s Accredited Lay Preachers.

Olu's faith is an important cornerstone of his life and work with a strong belief in the beauties of humanity regardless of creed, colour or gender. He is a passionate advocate for minorities' rights, equality and societal inclusivity. Olu is inspired by GYROS’s many years of excellent service to the community of asylum seekers and refugees in East Anglia.