Meet the Trustees

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Meet the Trustees

The Marston Vale Trust

The Marston Vale Trust is an independent charity (Registered Charity No 1069229) and a Company Limited by Guarantee.

The Charity’s objects are to benefit the public by:

the improvement protection and preservation of Marston Vale in Bedfordshire and the surrounding area for the better development of the rural environment; and
the provision of public recreational and other facilities in Marston Vale and the surrounding area to members of the public at large in the interests of education or social welfare.

The Charity is realising its objects through the creation of the Forest of Marston Vale – one of twelve Community Forests in England. The Forest of Marston Vale covers 61 square miles of Bedfordshire that has suffered from a hundred years of clay extraction, brick manufacture and landfill.

The Board of Trustees are legally responsible for the activities of the Trust which they monitor through regular Board meetings.

The interests of the stakeholders in the Trust are represented by the official Members of the Trust.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Marston Vale Trust is the meeting at which Members vote on whether to approve the accounts and the appointment of Trustees. The AGM is open to everyone but only the Members that are present at the AGM may vote.

The Trustees of the Marston Vale Trust are:

Hon. Mrs Fiona Chapman MBE DL (Chairman)

I have represented Aspley Guise and Husborne Crawly on Mid Beds District Council since 1983 and have lived in the area for more than 40 years. Having been Leader of the Council for 8 years and Chairman for 2, I am now a member of the Executive and the Development Control Committee. Since its inception 5 years ago, I have been a member of the Regional Assembly and serve on the Environment and Resources Panel.

In 2001 I took a year out of active politics and was High Sheriff of Bedfordshire.

For the past 10 years I have chaired the Marston Vale Trust during the building and completion of the Forest Centre.

I also chair the Bedfordshire Army Benevolent Fund and am actively involved in the work of the Milton Keynes Safety Centre, St. Albans Cathedral, St. John Ambulance and the Ampthill Leonard Cheshire Home, as well as being Church Warden at St. Peter’s Milton Bryan.

Happily married for 42 years, Allan and I have four children, ten grandchildren and a large dog.

Mark A Howe

I am a working farmer with three farms amounting to 600 acres within the Marston Vale, growing Wheat, Barley and Oilseed Rape along with 200 acres of grassland on which I run my pedigree herd of single-suckled Simmental cattle.

I have always lived in the Marston Vale, attending Bedford Modern School between 1966 and 1976, where I was Deputy Head boy.

On leaving school I studied Rural Estate Management at The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester where I qualified as a Chartered Surveyor. I worked as a Land Agent for Bedfordshire County Council assisting with the management of their Smallholdings Estate before coming home to run the family farms in 1985.

I am a Director of Bedford Rugby Club where I played for 20 years between 1976 and 1996. During this time I also represented England Schoolboys, Students and U23’s and also played for The Midlands and Barbarians.

I like to try and keep reasonably fit with jogging, cycling, indoor rowing, skiing and “touch” rugby. I am also a keen supporter of country sports

I am an active member of The Rotary Club of Bedford Park, where I was the President during the Millennium year.

I am married to Rebekah and have 3 sons, a stepson and daughter, ranging in age from 24 down to 16 years old.

Bob Wallace

I am now retired. Previously I was Chairman and Managing Director of Cranfield Data Systems (1979-1998) and a Director of Cranfield Research & Development Ltd (1980-1998).

I have been a supporter and have been involved with the Forest of Marston Vale activities for a number of years. I am the nominated member of the Board of Trustees for the Bedfordshire Association of Town and Parish Councils. I am also a volunteer involved in communication (preparation of newsletter), tree planting, the Let's Go project and many other activities.

Other community and environmental activities in which I am involved include Chairman Wootton Parish Council, Vice Chairman Bedfordshire Association of Town and Parish Councils, Member of Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Access Forum (past Chairman) and Community Governor Wootton Upper School.

My hobbies include cycling, walking and travelling.

Nigel Davis

I am a native of Warwickshire (born 1947) but have lived in the Bedford area since 1992.

My career of 44 years has been spent in the fire safety engineering industry mainly working for public authorities. In 1988 I was appointed Fire Surveyor to the Royal Mail estate with responsibility for fire compliance in over 2500 properties UK wide. During my career I have also served on specialist fire committees with various organisations including the British Retail Consortium and the Building Research Establishment.

On leaving Royal Mail in 2004 I was appointed as a fire engineering team leader working with WS Atkins (WSA) on the London Underground station upgrades and latterly Network Rail projects. Whilst with WSA I led the development of a fire standards framework that could be applied to rail projects nationally.

I retired in 2009 and have been a forest volunteer for approximately 18 months where I have enjoyed learning new skills such as hedging, fence repair and various other practical activities connected with the work of the Forest of Marston Vale. I have also contributed some articles for publication on volunteer activities, particularly for the ongoing development of the Grange Estate, Willington.

I live at Renhold where my wife and I have a largish garden to manage and put my practical DIY skills to the test on a regular basis.

Gordon Johnston

I am married to Anne and we have two grown up sons, Stuart and Robert. I retired early from my post as Deputy Chief Executive with Bedford Borough Council in June 2009 and since then have concentrated my time and energies on my voluntary/community work. As well as my long standing commitment to the Marston Vale Trust, I am also the Chairman of a large Housing Association and am a member of the Government’s Voluntary & Community Sector Partnership Board. When I have time to myself, my other interests include reading, music, theatre, television, DIY and watching most sports.

Mark Burrows-Smith

I am a businessman and Company Director of Viridor Waste Management, part of the Pennon Group, a major plc focused on the water and waste management industries .

A graduate of Kingston University with a Masters graduate from the University of London I have held senior management positions in quarrying and waste management businesses, and until 2005 was General Manager running Shanks Waste Services Southern business. This included the major waste recycling and disposal operations in the Marston Vale.

I am married to Jo and have two sons, Thomas and Harry, and a daughter, Molly. I continue to play football and enjoy cycling, walking and reading.

Peter Faulkner

I was born in Marston Moreteyne in 1951 and have lived here all my life. I have two grown up children (girl and boy) and two grandchildren (boy and girl).

I started work for London Brick Co Ltd as a Despatch Clerk when I was fifteen. I gained a professional accountancy qualification (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) through day release and was promoted to Finance Director UK of Hanson Brick Ltd in 1999. I was subsequently appointed Financial Controller of Hanson Building Materials Europe.

I left Hanson in January 2003 but continue to work for them as an Interim Financial Manager from time to time.

I have been a Trustee since 1999

In my spare time I enjoy walking, reading, holidays and spending time with my grandchildren.

Miss Debra Hassall

I am the Property Development Manager for Hanson Building Products based at Stewartby. I have worked for the Company for 19 years and have responsibility for sites in the UK. I also act as Bursar for the Sir Malcolm Stewart Trust, which offers homes to retired employees of London Brick.

My family have a long association with the Marston Vale and I have always lived here, attending both the Stewartby Schools. I have been a Governor for the past 14 years at Broadmead Lower School, and I am currently Chair.

Stewart Briggs

I am a resident in Bedford and have, on and off, spent over 25 years in the area. I am happily married to Laura and have two teenage children. I enjoy pottering in my garden, having a go at DIY, walking in the countryside and visiting historic buildings and gardens.

I am currently Executive Director Environment & Sustainable Communities at Bedford Borough Council

Members of the Marston Vale Trust are:

The following organizations and individuals are the current Members of the Trust:

The Trustees
Bedford Borough Council
Central Bedfordshire Council
The Association of Town and Parish Councils
Beds Rural Community Charity
The Marston Vale Volunteers Coordinating Group
The Forest Team
Hanson Building Products Ltd
The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough Wildlife Trust

Role and responsibilities of Trustees of the Marston Vale Trust

Trustees of the Marston Vale Trust commit themselves to upholding the values and objectives of the Trust.

Trustees are bound by an overriding duty, individually and as a Board, to act reasonably at all times in the interests of the Organisation and of its present and future beneficiaries and stakeholders. Each and every Trustee must act personally, and not as the representative of any group or organisation; this applies regardless of how they were nominated, elected or selected to become a Trustee.

The responsibilities of Trustees include:

Ensuring that the Trust’s activities are in compliance with the Charity’s objects as defined in the Memorandum of Association.
Attending a significant majority of Board meeting and Annual General Meetings.
Participating in Board and Annual General meetings of the Marston Vale Trust in such a way as to ensure the efficient conduct of business.
Contributing their expertise and experience to the debate and discussion at Trustees’ meetings.
Supporting all majority decisions taken by all quorate Board meetings.
Ensuring that the Organisation’s vision, mission, values and activities remain true to the Trust’s Objects.
Ensuring that the Trust remains independent and does not come under the control of any external organization or individual.
Reviewing the effectiveness of the Board and its members at least every two year and working with fellow- Trustees and the Chairman to correct any areas where the Board is not complying sufficiently with the Code of Good Governance.
Declaring any material conflicts of interest and not participating in discussions or votes where they have a conflict of interest.
Ensuring that the Organisation has sufficient resources to cover its liabilities and planned activities, taking steps to fill any shortfalls.
Ensuring compliance with legislation regarding staff, volunteers and other stakeholders (For example Health and Safety and employment legislation) and ensuring that the Organisation is a good employer
Ensuring that money given to the Trust is used for the precise purpose for which it was given.

Role and responsibilities of the Chairman of the Marston Vale Trust

The role of the Chairman is to lead the Board of Trustees, ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation.

The responsibilities of the chair include:

Ensuring that the Trust’s activities are in compliance with the Charity’s objects as defined in the Memorandum of Association.
Setting Board meeting and Annual General Meeting dates and agendas in consultation with other Board members.
Chairing all Board and Annual General meetings of the Marston Vale Trust in such a way as to ensure the efficient conduct of business.
Ensuring that meetings of the Marston Vale Trust are quorate (as defined in the Articles of Association of the Marston Vale Trust) where decisions are to be taken.
Ensuring that the organisation’s business is efficiently and accountably conducted between Board meetings.
Monitoring progress by the Organisation in implementing decisions taken at Board and Annual General meetings.
Ensuring that the employment of the Chief Executive complies with employment legislation and good practice and that the appraisal and remuneration of the Chief Executive is conducted in accordance with the Code of Good Governance.
Representing the organisation at functions and meetings, and acting as a spokesperson as appropriate.
Sitting on appointment, disciplinary and grievance panels where the Chairman considers it necessary or desirable or where policy so requires.

Marston Vale Services Ltd

Marston Vale Services Ltd is the wholly-owned trading subsidiary of the Marston Vale Trust. All of the profits from Marston Vale Services Ltd are donated to the parent charity and these cover approximately half of the Trust’s operating costs. Marston Vale Services runs the Forest Centre in Marston Moretaine and generates revenue from conferencing, catering, shop sales and other commercial activities. The Directors of Marston Vale Services are:

Hon. Mrs Fiona Chapman MBE DL (Chairman)
	Chair of the Marston Vale Trust (see brief biography above)

Peter Faulkner

I was born in Marston Moreteyne in 1951 and have lived here all my life. I have two grown up children (girl and boy) and two grandchildren (boy and girl).

I left Hanson in January 2003 but continue to work for them as an Interim Financial Manager from time to time.

I have been a Trustee since 1999

In my spare time I enjoy walking, reading, holidays and spending time with my grandchildren.

Nick Webb (Managing Director and Company Secretary)

Nick graduated from Brighton University with a BA honours degree in International Management and after a short spell as a recruitment consultant, started his own business developing an adventure sports company in 1997 using experience of his scuba diving in the Caribbean and a season’s skiing in Courchevel. With a keen interest in activity sports, taking groups paragliding, skiing, gorge walking, scrambling and abseiling, motor cross and rallying etc was a great way to run a business and have fun at the same time!

Selling the business after ten years was difficult but a chance to move on to new challenges and after some much needed time with his young family Nick took the position of CEO of a fledgling children and young people focused charity and over the next three and a half years grew the organisation to be at the forefront of C&YP development and training in Hertfordshire.

Nick lives in Redbourn with his wife Kari and their three young children.