Westbank's newest trustee is a man on a mission
Marc Astley, a well-known local journalist and news editor, is the latest trustee to join the board of Westbank Community Health and Care and says he’s on a mission to spread the word about the work of this fantastic, community charity.
As an experienced media professional and a former editor of the Exeter Express & Echo newspaper, Marc is well-placed to do this.
His achievements include co-founding the UK Daily Ltd, a stable of 10 online news and feature platforms including The Devon Daily. He also set up the successful Exeter-based PR and Marketing Agency, Astley Media, which he sold two years ago. Recently, Marc was appointed editor of Exeter Tomorrow magazine and its sister website www.exetertoday.co.uk and has created an eco-clothing brand with his family.
Marc is no stranger to the role of a trustee. He also serves on the board of the Exeter Foundation, The Exeter Chiefs charity, and is Vice President of Dream-A-Way, which helps disabled and seriously ill people make their wishes come true.
Marc says, “When I met with Westbank’s CEO Sarah Hicks, I was keen to find out more about this fantastic local charity, which helps people of all ages and backgrounds across Devon to improve their health and wellbeing and remain independent for as long as possible. It’s an award-winning charity with hundreds of volunteers but many people don’t know about the incredible work it does. I’ll do whatever I can to help spread the word.
“After decades in the news industry, storytelling is second nature to me. Westbank Community Health and Care has some amazing and heart-warming stories to tell.”
Marc adds, “My own values are simple - work hard, be kind and believe in yourself. Westbank is a charity whose values align with my own. Being kind and thinking of others in the community is at the heart of everything Westbank’s staff and volunteers do.”
Marc’s standout career moments as a journalist include winning several industry awards, interviewing Sir Cliff Richard, breaking the ‘exclusive’ about Gary Lineker’s plans to retire from football to take up TV presenting, being told to ‘go away’ in no uncertain terms by King (then Prince) Charles and working with Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden on a child protection campaign.
