Who we are

Nick is our Chair of Trustees, having joined the board as a trustee in 2008.

As resident and landowner in Wimborne, Nick owns and manages the Shaftesbury estate, where he operates a working farm and events space.

A keen ultramarathon runner, Nick has been compelled to run for a spinal research foundation since 2009, when, after falling from a horse, he fractured a vertebra and permanently damaged his spinal cord.

Among Nick’s many passions is a love of live music: for several years he was a DJ in New York’s East Village, before returning to his family home in Wimborne to begin an extensive restoration project.

Our former chairman Christopher’s passion for helping people stems from his family’s work to support disabled people and carers through the Holton Lee wellbeing discovery centre.

With a passion for arts and culture, Christopher is a keen painter and sculptor in clay. He also enjoys the great outdoors, where he spends time with his family, and manages farmland in the Lytchett Minster area.

Joining the Trust in March 2022, Cecilia has extensive experience working across a range of companies including SMEs, multinational businesses and a private sector organisation.

Cecilia has held roles in strategic marketing, sales, and development, and has worked in medical, pharmaceutical, digital health and wellbeing sectors.

Cecilia chairs the Dorset Integrated Care Partnership, and is Chair of the Macular Society, a charity that supports people with Macular disease.

Cecilia is also Chair of Trustees for Plant Heritage, home of the National Plant Collections.

A science graduate, Cecilia enjoys yoga and is a keen gardener.

A trustee since 2013, George is an environmental and real estate lawyer with a keen interest in climate change.

As Chairman of the Meyrick family group, George manages land and property in Dorset and Wales. With interests in environment, sustainable energy and marine, George is also Executive Chairman of New Forest Energy, a bioenergy provider set up in 2009.

As Chancellor of Bangor University in North Wales, George is an advocate for education, performing ceremonial duties at the university.

Joining the trust in November 2021, Mary is a former primary school teacher and is founder of the Ufton Educational Trust, a charity that uses the outdoors to enrich children’s lives.

A former High Sherriff and mother of three, Mary is a firm believer in the transformative power of education, having begun her teaching career in London, before taking up further teaching posts in Berkshire and Dorset.

Schooled and raised in Bournemouth, Richard joined the Trust in May 2022.

A Chartered Surveyor and Town Planner, Richard holds an MBA from the University of Cambridge and is an expert in development projects with more than 25 years of experience in property planning.

Richard is in rehabilitation from a spinal injury caused in 2011, and enjoys visiting charities that support people’s health and wellbeing – his motto is “make a difference, never be defeated”.

As a former Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, James is passionate about attracting and retaining talent to the region.

With a desire to revitalise the region’s economy, James set up a new telecommunications company, Wessex Internet, connecting rural communities with superfast broadband infrastructure.

James helped to set up Cancer Care Dorset in 1994, and later became Vice President of Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.

A longstanding trustee, James has been at the forefront of transformations within the Trust’s estate, including development of Talbot Campus, shared by Bournemouth University (BU) and Arts University Bournemouth (AUB).

Caroline has extensive experience in people-focused charities, running front-line services and in grant-giving.

Caroline has also had experience in research and partnership development between higher education, business and government.

Prior to joining the Trust in March 2022, Caroline was CEO of a social care and social housing charity for older people.

Jon is a PR, media and communications professional with  experience as a Senior Press Officer and Multimedia Reporter at Arts University Bournemouth and Bournemouth University.

Jon’s early career background includes PR agency work and Bournemouth Daily Echo, where he trained as a Multimedia Photojournalist.

Jon’s interests include speech and copy writing, as well as live music and performance.

Ali is a qualified accountant with significant financial experience in the social housing sector, developed during his auditing career with a big four accountancy firm and a role with the Regulator.

Ali is also a part-time Finance Director at a Housing Association based in London.

Beverley holds a degree in Creative Technologies, and has been an Executive PA to CEO and SLT at a local charity that supports adults with learning disabilities.

Part of Beverley’s background was a senior social care worker.

Martha is a highly experienced community facilitator, having a background as a BCP community development worker and working closely with third sector organisations.

Martha worked most recently as part-time Operations Manager at Relate alongside freelance facilitation/ community development.

She holds a degree in Health and Community Development, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Voluntary Sector Management.

Relocating from London to Poole in 2021, Louise reduced her hours to join a local part-time role in the BCP library service around the offer for children and young people.

Louise has experience in charity front line services, fundraising, impact measurement and due diligence.