KEW COMMUNITY TRUST - Key Persons
If you are planning a more intimate welcome drink, celebrate under the arched wooden ceiling of the distinctive Alexandra Hall.
Bernadette, who was born and raised in Budapest, has a background in financial management with international experience in senior finance roles in the private and public sectors. She has lived in Kew since 2003. While taking a career break to raise her three boys, Bernadette enjoyed being involved with voluntary work in the local community, including serving as a governor and chairing the Finance Committee at The Queen's School. She is a Trustee and Treasurer of The Barn Nursery. She joined KCT in June 2019. When not working or volunteering, she enjoys playing tennis or taking long walks with the family dog.
Bridget joined as a Trustee in 2018 and has lived in Kew since 1980. Her career has been as an academic criminologist specialising in medical policing and forensic mental health. After qualifying, Bridget worked at the University of California, before returning to the UK where she led the development of undergraduate and post graduate programmes in Criminology and Forensic Science. She retired in 2013 to concentrate on her research work and take a more active role in local community projects.
Daiva, who has worked within the Kew community since 2005, began working for the Kew Community Trust in 2016. She tries to visit her home country, Lithuania, whenever she can.
Diana became a Trustee in 2018. She has lived in Forest Road in Kew since 1992. Prior to that, Diana lived in the Isle of Man. She is a primary schoolteacher and has taught in Hillingdon, Hammersmith & Fulham and currently in Merton. In 2008, Diana took the decision to work abroad, enjoying four years at The English International School in Moscow. On returning to Kew, Diana joined Kew Community Choir and is a member of St. Luke's Church choir. Diana has three grown-up sons and nine grandchildren.
Dominic became a Trustee in September 2022. He has lived in Kew for the last five years, and in North Richmond for twenty years prior to that. He has had a career as a Corporate Treasurer working in multinational companies and is now a stay-at-home Dad. He is also the Treasurer and a Trustee of a Riding for the Disabled Carriage Driving Group. Dominic is an active member of Richmond Cricket Club where he used to manage junior teams and still plays competitively. He is also a keen sports fan, supporting the Chelsea men's and women's football teams, Surrey cricket and London Welsh and Wales at rugby.
John became a Trustee in 2018. After practising as a hospital doctor, he obtained a Diploma in Osteopathy and ran his own osteopathic practice as well as continuing in hospital medicine. He was a member of the Kings Fund consultative committee, which led to the passing of the Osteopaths Act, and served on the first General Osteopathic Council. He finished his career in hospital medicine as well as working as a GP with the homeless. Now retired, John enjoys opera and climbing mountains. Having enjoyed running marathons, age now largely limits him to walking and yoga.
Louise joined as Trustee in September 2021. She has lived in Kew on and off since 1963. After qualifying as a barrister she worked for a Lloyds insurance broker and as an in-house lawyer ending up as General Counsel & Company Secretary for an international FTSE 250 company. Since retiring she has been a trustee of various charities and was Chair of Richmond & Hillcroft Adult & Community College and is currently Vice Chair of The Richmond Society. She is interested in gardening, travel and the arts.
Patrick has worked for the Centre and St Luke's Church since 1991. At the time when Patrick started working at the Centre it was known as St Luke's Community Trust which was then run by social services in the Borough. Patrick is well known by many generations of the Kew Community. Richmond has been home to Patrick and his family since 1994. Patrick was born in Ghana and moved to the UK during 1990. He has a beautiful wife and 4 children, who can sometimes be quite a handful!
Rita became a Trustee in 2016 and has lived in Kew since 1994. She holds a BA (Hons) in English Literature and a Masters' in Education. She is passionate about the Kew community and volunteers for KNA, another local charity. She has been involved with her children's schools, fundraising for them and their charities, as well as supporting Indian charities. Rita is interested in building public awareness and raising the profile of KCT and The Avenue Club in the local community. She is on the Fundraising committee and supports the Communications Team. Rita loves walking, enjoys playing bridge and cooking.
Steve first lived in Kew from 1988 to 2000 when he went with his wife and two very young children to take up a post working in the Caribbean. On his return to the UK in 2011 he lived initially in Malvern but when his children went off to university, he and his wife realised that Kew was where they wanted to live and moved back here. Steve is a chartered accountant who spent his career with a number of organisations, including PriceWaterhouse Coopers and Philips Electronics, working as a finance director/chief operating officer. Steve now undertakes the roles of Treasurer and Trustee for a number of charities. Two of the charities with which he is associated are local - the Kew Society and Integrated Neurological Services, where Steve is the chair of the finance committee. Steve is an enthusiastic tennis player (a member of Pensford Tennis Club), a keen choral singer and enjoys music, good food and wine.
Sue joined The Avenue Club in September 2021. She has 36 years PA/Admin experience and training in various sectors, the last 16 years working for London Borough of Richmond, first in the Schools' Library Service before moving to Admin Officer for Children's Centres supporting families in the community. Sue was born in Barnes where her family have lived for over 100 years, and now lives in Teddington with her husband. Sue enjoys spending time at their allotment or at the National Archives in Kew researching family history and volunteering online, transcribing records for the next generation of researchers. She is looking forward to making a positive contribution to The Avenue Club and serving the community of Kew.