Appointed Chief Executive in 2013 and retiring in 2025, John Trolan first came to work at The Nelson Trust in 1997 as a creative writing tutor and went on to become an addictions counsellor before rising to clinical director. With clinical training from Kings College, London and an MSc in Mental Health Studies, John Trolan has also undertaken the management programme at Ashridge Business School and participated in the Sir Christopher Harding Leadership Programme. Through John’s leadership of The Nelson Trust, the Trust grew from supporting 200 people annually to 5,000 annually. During that time the Trust expanded its reach across the South West of England and Wales.