Meet the board
We are committed to making our services inclusive, accessible, and of value to all EU citizens in the UK.
Board meetings
Board meetings 2025 (provisional)
20 January 2025
17 March 2025
19 May 2025
21 July 2025
15 September 2025
17 November 2025
Board meetings 2024
15 January 2024
20 May 2024
16 September 2024
18 November 2024
Board meetings 2023
20 March 2023
15 May 2023
17 July 2023
18 September 2023
20 November 2023
Board meetings 2022
17 January 2022
14 March 2022
9 May 2022
11 July 2022
12 September 2022
14 November 2022
Board meetings 2021
11 January 2021
15 March 2021
10 May 2021
12 July 2021
13 September 2021
8 November 2021
AGM 2021
Friday, 18 June 2021
Ruvi Ziegler
Chair
Speaks English and Hebrew
Dr. Reuven (Ruvi) Ziegler is Associate Professor in International Refugee Law at the University of Reading, School of Law.
His areas of research interest include International Refugee Law, Citizenship and Electoral Rights, Comparative Constitutional Law, and International Humanitarian Law.
Michael Arapis
Trustee
Speaks English and Greek
Michael is a researcher in the area of Cybercrime and Terrorism and has worked for leading law firms in Cardiff. He is a frequent speaker on major Greek TV networks and radio stations. He also writes articles for websites and newspapers and is an experienced interpreter.
“I am proud to be part of New Europeans UK. As a campaigner and EU Citizen it is very important for me to fight for the rights of EU Citizens in the UK and the UK Citizens in the EU.”
He is the Chair of New Europeans in Wales.
Eileen Chan-Hu
Trustee
Speaks English
Eileen Chan-Hu is the co-founder of CRAICNI (Cultivate Respect, Appreciate Inclusion in Communities in Northern Ireland), a social enterprise that provides inclusion and diversity services through training and educational programmes.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to support New Europeans in areas of social policy to benefit all.”
She is passionate about all things Northern Irish/Irish and how diversity of many cultures come about and through commonalities to enjoy the “Craic” as a way of life.
Eileen is an Equality Commissioner for the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, which is an independent public body which oversees equality and discrimination law in Northern Ireland.
Michaela Benson
Trustee
Speaks English and French
Michaela Benson is professor in public sociology at Lancaster University. A leading social scientist working on Brexit, migration and citizenship, she is particularly known for her research with British citizens living in the European Union. She has published numerous scientific articles and books, and has a portfolio that includes freelance writing for the BBC, the Telegraph and various other publications in the UK, US and Europe; the podcast series Who do we think we are? (2021) and Brexit Brits Abroad (2017-20).
She can be found on twitter @michaelacbenson.
Jackie Minor
Trustee
Speaks English and French
After a spell teaching law at the University of Leicester, she joined the European Court in Luxembourg, later moving to the European Commission.
In 2013, she became the Head of the Commission’s Representation in the UK, and so was able to witness the run-up to the referendum and its immediate aftermath from close quarters.
On a more positive note, Jacqueline also saw the creation of New Europeans and watched it grow into the active and important organisation it is today.
Luisa Maccalli
Trustee
Speaks English, Italian and French
Maria Luisa Maccalli is a graduate of Bocconi University with 25 years experience in organisation development and human resources.
“I joined New Europeans because I feel a very strong responsibility to give children, who have been brought up as Europeans, the right to have their own identity and freedom of choice.”
She is an expert in the challenges facing those who build a life for themselves and their families abroad, and is particularly aware of the role of women in settling their families following relocation.
Michał Siewniak
Trustee
Speaks English, Polish, Croatian and Italian
Michał works in the community voluntary sector. He supports the needs of different community groups with advice and advocacy and helps build the organisational capacity of these groups.
“New Europeans is doing a fantastic job giving a platform to all who cherish their citizenship rights and the values that underpin them. I am proud to be able to be part of the team.”
He has many years experience in motivating people and helping them to fulfil their potential and is passionate about diversity issues and in his commitment to equal opportunities.
Roxana Barbulescu
Trustee
Speaks English, Romanian, Italian, French, Spanish and German
Dr Roxana Barbulescu is University Academic Fellow in new Migrations in UK and Europe at the University of Leeds, UK.
“I am committed to strengthening New Europeans’ links between academia, statutory agencies and wider civil society as well as with the Romanian community in the UK.”
She is the founder of Commission on Diversity in the North, Co-director of Migration News and sits on the editorial board of Investment Migration Working Papers where she is Deputy-Editor.
Avilia Zavarella
Registrar
Speaks English and Italian
Avilia is a young European who is passionate about politics and European affairs. She works for the Brussels-based NGO SOLIDAR and for the New Europeans as Registrar.
Our vision is of a society enriched and empowered through the full participation of its citizens and permanent residents. We believe each individual should be valued for what they can become, so that communities can grow together in solidarity and peace.
Our mission is to inform EU citizens in the UK and Britons in Europe about their rights, help them to find their voice, and encourage them to play a full part in the local and democratic life of their communities.
We achieve this through our:
Programmes
Grant-funded projects which support EU citizens in the UK and Britons in Europe, for example, to acquire settled status or to register to vote.
Campaings
Membership-led campaigns to make practical improvements to the lives of EU citizens in the UK and Britons in Europe, funded by donations.
Research
Pro-bono, expert-led initiatives, aimed at informing and focussing the public debate about the situation of EU citizens in the UK and Britons in Europe.