Trustees

Judith Hooper - Chair of Trustees

Judith is currently a Tax Partner at Baker Tilly, Milton Keynes. She was appointed Chair of the Foundation in September 2006 after having been Chair to the Foundation’s Finance Committee for 3 years.
Interests include local music, arts and sports. She was an adviser for 7 years on the Common Purpose Committee, and as a partner in Baker Tilly has supported MKCO, MK Snap, MK Arts for Health, MK Lions and other local charities as well as being a member of the Chamber, Women in Enterprise and CWN.

 

 

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  Andrea Pickerin - Chair of Grants

For eight years, Andrea has been the Director of Marketing Consultancy, DSP Solutions UK Ltd. DSP work with SME’s, helping to improve their marketing for better results.
Andrea became aware of the Foundation soon after starting her business in Milton Keynes and was keen to get involved as early as possible. Her company became members of the Foundation in 1999 and soon after, Andrea became an adviser on the Marketing and Fundraising Committee. In 2003 she committed to become a trustee and was appointed Chair of the Grants Committee in 2007.
As a parent with young children, she has become more recently involved in the local community with parent & toddler groups, as well as local and central MK community events.

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 Eleanor Milburn - Trustee

Eleanor has been a trustee of the Foundation since 1999 when she became adviser for the then Arts Fund. Subsequently she became Chair of the Grants Committee for 3 years.
Prior to retirement, she was Senior Assistant Secretary at the Open University, where she worked for nearly 30 years, after a period as an Administrator at the University of Sussex. She continues to work voluntarily as Secretary of the St Botolph's (Aspley Guise) Parochial Church Council.
Eleanor is currently a singer in three local choirs and choral societies and a reader for the OU Audio Recording Centre, reading materials for blind and partially sighted students.

  

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   Francesca Skelton - Trustee

Francesca was Chair of the Milton Keynes Community Foundation between 2003 – 2006. She became Chair of Milton Keynes College in August 2007 and a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Buckinghamshire in May 2007.
Francesca has worked in both the private and voluntary sector. She commuted to London for 14 years working first for The Guardian and then for IPC Magazines in various roles including Publisher of Ideal Home. On the birth of her second child in 1991 she chose to work locally and was Manager of the charity Relate Milton Keynes for ten years.  Through this role she became very involved in the community of Milton Keynes and its need, which lead to her joining the Foundation as a trustee.
Francesca has lived in Milton Keynes since 1977, with both of her children attending Stantonbury Campus.  She is a keen supporter of the arts and is a member of the Danesborough Chorus.

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Michael Murray - Chair of Finance Committee

Michael came to Milton Keynes in the late 80's from Chester when he became Chief Executive of the Borough Council between 1984 - 1996. Michael is Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Buckinghamshire, Governor of Thornton College and Honorary Master of the Open University.

 

  

 

 

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Peter Kara - Trustee

Peter became involved with the Foundation as a trustee in 1995 and has been broadly involved with the voluntary sector in Milton Keynes since 1991.  He was Treasurer of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, London and South East Region from 1991 to 1995, and Chair of the Foundation’s Property Company from 2000 to 2006.  Peter is a Non-Exceutive Director of the Milton Keynes Primary Care Trust and in addition to running his own comnsultancy, is currently the Chairman of two private companies, Pelmaks Limited and Mini Kin Limited.

 

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Richard Brown - Chair & MK Community Properties and company Secretary for the Foundation and the Property Company

Richard was appointed Chair of the Property Board in September 2006 and has been a trustee of the Foundation since 2001. Richard is a solicitor and head of litigation at Kimbells LLP.  His interests include golf, tennis and the arts.  

 

 

 

 

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Ruth Stone - Trustee

Ruth is currently the Director of Milton Keynes CVO.  She has been involved with the national and local voluntary sector for the last 20 years.  Formerly her background is in museums and art galleries.  Her particular area of interest are issues concerning young families.

 

 

 

 

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Stephen Cowdrill - Trustee

Stephen became a trustee of the Foundation in 2002 and between 2003-06 he held the role of Chair of the Marketing & Fund Development Committee.  Subsequently, he has become a member of the Grants Committee.  Stephen is an ex-hotelier.  His interests are football, golf and the city of Milton Keynes.

 

 

 

 

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Peter Selvey - Treasurer & Trustee

Peter became Trustee & Treasurer of the Foundation in 2001. He is currently a Partner at KPMG LLP, Milton Keynes, he is also the Treasurer of the Alderton Village Fund.

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Roger Kitchen - Trustee

Roger was appointed Trustee of the Foundation in 2003. He is currently a freelance arts, heritage and community development consultant. Formerly, he was the General Manager and co founder of Living Archive, the Director of Inter-Action Milton Keynes and a Community Worker for the Milton Keynes Development Corporation.
Roger is the Chair of the Wolverton Secret Garden Society, he is the Director of Food Train and also the Chair of the Wolverton Britain in Bloom Committee. Roger and his family have lived in Wolverton since 1971.

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 Stephen Norrish MBE - Trustee

Stephen was appointed as a trustee in 1988.  He is currently the Co-Director of the MK Christian Foundation, a local charity active in a range of community and economic development activities. The charity currently provides: housing, training, advice and guidance to disadvantaged young people; support for young parents and young parents to be and support for disengaged families. 

Stephen was awarded the MBE for services to the community, especially young people in 2001. He is the Chair of MK Community Development Strategy Review Group and he Provides support for the MK Area Programme. Stephen has previoulsy managed SRB schemes and is a    former Chair of MKCVO.  

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 Paul Griffiths - Trustee

Paul has been a supporter of the Foundation since its launch and has assisted its work in a number of ways, he became a trustee in 2004.

Paul is currently the Director of Business Link Enterprise Gateway and a voluntary board member of Wolverton Unlimited. Previous roles have included; member and chair of Shenley Brook End & Tattenhoe Parish Council and management committee member for the Shenley Lodge Meeting Place.  Paul has lived in Milton Keynes since childhood and has raised his family here.