Our Trustees

The Board sets the overall vision and governance framework for the Foundation. Each Trustee is selected for their expertise and influence.

Graham Peart F.InsSMM (Chairman)
A company owner and Chairman with 35+ years business experience. Extensive contacts in the local business community. Past Financial Director of Wycombe Wanderers FC and President of Wycombe Rotary 2011/12. A Trustee for eight years and Chairman since 2006.

David Sumpter JP (Vice Chair)
Over 30 years experience in the Insurance Broking Industry. School Governor, Magistrate, Rotarian and former president and Chairman of Marlow Rugby Football Club. Many contacts in the sporting and business communities.

Cherry Aston
Over 20 years experience of local government with a particular interest in Social Services and services to the elderly and people with Learning Disabilities. A member of associations interested in the countryside and historical Buckinghamshire and a governor of John Hampden Grammar School.

Guy Birkby BA Hons ACIB (Chair of the Grants panel and Credit Committee)

32 years experience in Corporate and Commercial banking.Extensive contacts in business and local communities. Director 4CWycombe, Business Advisory Board for Bucks New Uni, Bucks Ambassador, Trustee Scannappeal, Rotarian. Involvement with several other voluntary organisations in the county.

The Countess Elizabeth Howe DL

Appointed as a Trustee in August 2011, Countess Howe is President of the Epilepsy Society, County President of St John Ambulance and a trustee at numerous other charities as well as a governor at several schools having spent many years working as a teacher. Countess Howe was Buckinghamshire's High Sheriff 2010/11.

Graham Corney FCA

appointed as a Trustee in June 2011, Graham is a Director in a Beaconsfield-based Chartered Accountants where he has been based for the past 36 years. He is also actively involved in his local community, where he is a local Town Councillor.

Roy Collis DL

Former County Librarian of Buckinghamshire with over 35 years experience in local governement and good links with the voluntary and community sector in the county, Chairman and Patron of many notable local charities. Governor of Cottesloe School, Bucks Ambassador and Rotarian. DL since 2001.

Simon Deans LLB (Secretary)

Partner in local law firm with 15 years commercial experience and excellent geographic knowledge of the county. Contacts with an extensive local client base and within legal circles.

Colin Hayfield FCA (Treasurer and Chair of the Investment Committee)

is a chartered accountant. In addition to his professional work, he is a governor of three schools,including The John Hampden Grammar School in High Wycombe,trustee of a number of charitable organisations and a director of a range of private companies.He is a member of the Court of the Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers. He was born and lives in Beaconsfield.

Munir Hussain

was appointed to the Trustee Board in June 2011. He is a local High Wycombe businessman where he has built a successful acoustic sound panel business Soundsorba Ltd. He is also Chairman of Wycombe Race Equality Council.

Peter Keen (Chair of the Donor Development Group)
A company owner and Chairman with extensive commercial acumen and 40 years experience. Contacts in many different fields of commerce and highly skilled in relationship management. He is also Chairman of Risborough Area Community Action.

Alexander Shephard DL
Erstwhile High Sheriff of Bucks. 31 years experience as CEO of International Publishers and local Farmer. Excellent contacts in industry both locally and internationally. Extensive geographic knowledge of Buckinghamshire.

The Credit Committee

This independent Committee acts for the Community Foundation for decisions on loan funding from 'Bucks Big Society Bank'.

Guy Birkby Chair Philippa Batting Simon Deans Andy Dent Mike Elliott

The Grants Panel

This independent Panel supports the strategic aims for the grant making of the Community Foundation

Guy Birkby Chair                           Munir Hussain      Masud Ahmed
Lynda Cockerell     Cllr Dev Dhillon   Dr Shanti Edwards     Hazel Hedges     Laurie Johnson
Bill Reid                    Les Sheldon    Paul Sherriff

To read more about how the Grants Panel works click here.