New Board Members Appointed to IMA

Dr Maike Bohn and Lynne Charles have been appointed following an open recruitment competition and assessment process, conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Maike brings significant experience in strategic leadership, international engagement and public policy to the IMA. As Managing Director of Oxford in Berlin, she led the University of Oxford’s work in Germany and built wide-ranging partnerships across sectors. She is a co-founder of the3million and has held senior roles in executive education, public affairs and marketing at Cardiff University including at Jisc (Joint Information Systems Committee) and the Saïd Business School.

Lynne is a former civil servant, with over 20 years’ experience across a number of government departments, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Cabinet Office and the Treasury, with a particular focus on EU and international affairs. Most recently, she served as Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Bulgaria. Prior to working for the British government, Lynne worked as an official of the European Parliament, with roles in Brussels and London.

Maike said, “The IMA’s work is essential to making sure EU citizens continue to feel a welcome part of UK society and their rights are upheld. I am honoured to support its vital role in protecting those rights and strengthening the sense of belonging for EU citizens in the UK.”

Lynne said, “I am delighted to join the Independent Monitoring Authority as a Non-Executive Director. The IMA plays a crucial role in ensuring that citizens’ rights under the Agreements are respected. I look forward to contributing to its work in promoting fairness, accountability, and trust for all those it serves.”

Nicole Lappin, IMA Chair said: “We are looking forward to welcoming both Maike and Lynne to the IMA Board.

“They both bring a wealth of relevant experience and different perspectives which I am sure will be invaluable to the work of the IMA.

“They are joining at a particularly interesting time for the IMA as we reflect on our fifth anniversary and consider what we have learnt in the preceding years as we continue to work towards making a difference to the lives of EU and EEA EFTA citizens and their family members.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Punam Birly who is stepping down from the IMA Board in December after serving two terms as a Non-Executive Director. Punam has been on the IMA Board since its inception and has had a pivotal role in helping to establish and shape the IMA, for which, we are very grateful.”

Photo Caption: Dr Maike Bohn (left) and Lynne Charles (right)