CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Chris’ younger brother Jonathan, who has Downs Syndrome, was one of the first people to move into East Court, the home that was created  right at the beginning of Orchard Vale Trust in 1986, so Chris has a very personal understanding of learning disability, and its impact on a family.​

Chris retired from General Practice in 2017. In addition to General Practice, he had a special interest in palliative care and safeguarding, and his medical experience has been very helpful in his role as Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Chris lives in Bath with his wife Christine, and enjoys being outdoors – particularly cycling, hill walking and scuba diving. He was ordained in the Church of England in 2021 and serves as a part-time minister.

Tony has been a trustee since 2007 having been invited to join the board as a friend of another trustee.

Tony’s daughter Isabel, born in 2005, has learning difficulties and so he bring both professional and personal life experience to the role.

Professionally, Tony has been a Partner at Oxford Architects for the past 20 years (Chair 2015 – 20) and brings to the board those skills that overlap with the trusts needs such as strategic planning, design, project management and governance.

Being a trustee has allowed Tony to understand at first hand others who need our help and support.  That is a very satisfying and rewarding thing to do.

Rosie worked for over 40 years as a solicitor, specialising in legal advice for the charity and community sector, until she retired in 2021. As well as being a trustee of Orchard Vale Trust since 2016, Rosie is the chair and a trustee of a national charity, Futures for Women, which supports disadvantaged women into employment.

Adrian’s brother Tim was one of the first people to live at OVT and has stayed with us ever since. Adrian qualified as a solicitor in October 1987 and then practiced company commercial law in the City of London at Allen & Overy. In January 1990 he joined the legal department of Rio Tinto plc where he stayed for just over 20 years in increasingly senior roles, providing senior management with advice on a vast range of issues (across many jurisdictions around the world) including mergers and acquisitions, governance, general commercial law, employment law and intellectual property law. For the last few years of his career he was Commercial Director and General Counsel for a private equity backed start up company focussed on developing Europe’s largest Carbon Capture and Storage Project. He retired in 2013.

Hannah’s older brother Matt was one of the first group of residents to move into Eastcourt after Orchard Vale Trust was founded by her Parents along with Mary and Mike Absolon. Consequently, Hannah has been fully involved with Orchard Vale Trust from its conception and has been a Trustee for many years.

Hannah took over the fundraising role from her father and had several successful campaigns, although now is very happy the Trust has a full time fundraiser. She still helps organise a charity golf day every year.

Hannah lives in Chippenham with her two adult Children, one who has left university and one who is about to do a Masters. She loves travelling and socialising with her friends.

Martha’s older brother, Matthew was one of the original residents at East Court, and so she has grown up with the understanding of learning disability and how important family and community is in their welfare.

Martha is a Chartered Physiotherapist and Pilates instructor. She works in private practice and also provides domiciliary Physiotherapy to elderly patients who are unable to attend the clinic.

She lives in Oxfordshire with her husband and three children.

My brother Jonathan was one of the very first residents at east court and ovt has always felt like an extension of the family. I live with my husband and adult children in North London and work as a GP in Hackney. I run a weekly community café through our church and love to see people from many and varied backgrounds and abilities getting together. I enjoy escaping to green spaces with bike or dog, going to the allotment and making jam and chutney, much of which finds its way to an annual London Christmas sale of beautiful OVT art work.

I have been a Trustee of Orchard Vale Trust since 2014. My friend Bronwen has lived at East Court since 1986. I have known her and her family since she was 5 years old and I visit her regularly at East Court.
I spent most of my working life in education, both as a teacher and in administration. Before retiring, I was a manager at the University of Bristol. I have experience of managing people and systems in a large department.