THE PARKS TRUST - Key Persons
Carla has worked for English Heritage since 2019 and in May 2023 was appointed Programme Manager (Heritage Data) for Historic England. Carla has been responsible for visitor experience and has participated in the planning and delivery of various projects including audio guide interpretation, events, filming, and weddings.
Job Titles:
- Vice Chair and Chair of Operations Committee
Chris is a Partner of Bridgman & Bridgman, a living roof specialist based in Milton Keynes. Launched in 2006 to focus on commercial landscaping, Bridgman & Bridgman has evolved to concentrate solely on green roofing - building gardens in the sky. Born and raised in Milton Keynes, Chris's life has been influenced by all things horticultural - it's in his DNA with his father being involved in the growing and planting of the many trees in Milton Keynes from the days of the Development Corporation. Chris brings his experience and knowledge of green infrastructure to the Trust, to support it to play a positive role in the climate emergency and the future of Milton Keynes. Chris has taken on volunteering roles for over 20 years - an achievement that was recognised in the Queen's New Year Honours list 2020, with an MBE for services to the community of Wolverton and Milton Keynes.
A Fellow of the RICS (FRICS), Danielle has worked in commercial property since 1995, predominately in the South Midlands. In 2005 she moved to Barwood Capital (BCL). BCL is a real estate investment and development specialist based in Northampton. Her current position is senior Investment Director and she is a member of the investment Committee. She is responsible for a number of developments and property investments across the UK.
Dr Yoseph Araya is a Senior Lecturer in Ecology and Environmental Sciences at The Open University, Milton Keynes. He lives locally with his family, is an avid user of our parks and considers them our city's green treasure. He joined the Board of Trustees recently as he wants to contribute and help keep Milton Keynes a green city and would also like to make our parks valued and used by members of all Milton Keynes' communities.
Job Titles:
- Industry Specialist in Amazon Web Services EMEA Public Sector
Ellen is an Industry specialist in Amazon Web Services EMEA Public Sector team. She is passionate about the impact tech can have on sustainability and the place we live in. Ellen has lived in Milton Keynes for over 10 years, loves the parks as proud mum of Lara and Alex (and the lab Ti), runs the German Saturday School Milton Keynes and loves exercise and good food.
Frank Gill - Head of Operations and Forestry - Day-to-day operation of the landscapes and management of forestry and agriculture.
Graham relocated to Milton Keynes in 1985 following his Physics degree in Manchester and has lived in the area ever since. Graham has worked in IT development within Retail Banking, latterly at Santander where he was Products and Services Director. Over the years Graham and his family have made extensive use of the parks and he believes in the ongoing need to maintain our green spaces and public facilities for the future.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chief Executive - Responsible for PR and Marketing, Events, Community Activities, Outdoor Learning for Children and Adults and Volunteering
Hannah Bodley - Deputy Chief Executive - Responsible for PR and marketing, events, community activities, outdoor learning for children and adults and volunteering.
Nominated by MKALC. Ian has been a secondary school teacher for 38 years, the past 31 of which have been in the Milton Keynes area. During that time Ian has been a Teacher Governor at Ousedale School, co-opted Governor of Haversham Villlage School and a member of Haversham cum Little Linford Parish Council. He has a lifelong interest in natural history and agriculture and is a firm believer in the importance of green spaces to our well-being.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Surveyor and a Director
Ian is a chartered surveyor and a director of Hampton Brook which is a regional developer and investment company in commercial property. He has delivered a range of commercial schemes throughout Milton Keynes and the region and delivered significant inward investment. Ian is also the chairman of the CMK BID (Business Improvement District) and an ambassador for SEMLEP.
Jennifer Harris - Head of People - responsible for human resources and recruitment.
Jeremy Godfrey - Finance Director - responsible for financial management and our financial investments and Support Services such as legal, health and safety and facilities management.
Joe has lived in the Milton Keynes area most of his life, he has worked on and still helps at his parents farm in Northamptonshire. Joe is the Assistant Director of City Gardens and Cleansing at the City of London. He has a decade's experience in the resource efficiency and sustainability sector, working in the areas of procurement, communications, waste prevention, street cleansing, circular economy, biodiversity, service and strategy development.
Job Titles:
- Officer for the Forestry Commission
Martina works as Woodland Officer for the Forestry Commission which is the government's body responsible for the regulations of both public and private forestry in England. Martina has expertise in woodland management and creation, laws and regulations in woodland-related matters.
Job Titles:
- Chairman and Chair of Finance & Property Committee
- Chairman at EMW Law
Nick is Chairman at EMW Law in Milton Keynes. He has worked in Milton Keynes for 20 years and thinks that its parks are an intrinsic and hugely positive part of Milton Keynes life.
Phil Bowsher - Head of Environment - responsible for our strategies for sustainability and biodiversity and promoting our principles for green infrastructure and parkland provision in Milton Keynes, including bring new parks into the stewardship of the Parks Trust as Milton Keynes grows.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Finance Director
Richard is an experienced Chief Financial Officer and Finance Director. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG and his career in finance has spanned over 30 years in blue-chip and private organisations across several sectors. He is currently the European CFO for Thrive, a critical IT managed services business, and has responsibility for finance, legal, procurement and HR operations. He is also a founding member of Milton Keynes Education Trust, a multi-academy trust providing education for ages 4 to 18 across several schools. Richard moved to Milton Keynes at the start of his career and has lived here ever since. He and his family have enjoyed many of the Trust's parks during this time.
Job Titles:
- Landscape & Operations Director - Responsible for the Physical Management of the Green Space Including Letting Contracts and Supervising Our Contractors and Our Direct Works Team
Rob Riekie - Landscape & Operations Director - responsible for the physical management of the green space including letting contracts and supervising our contractors and our Direct Works team.
Rob Wood - General Manager, Willen Lake - responsible for the Willen Lake Team who run and manages Willen Lake, Milton Keynes' most popular park.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Audit & Risk Committee
Rob has lived in Milton Keynes since 1991 and has worked for many entities in the area during that time. Most recently he was an Independent Member and then Chair of Milton Keynes Development Partnership and a Non-Executive Director of Milton Keynes University Hospital Trust for 6 years. He is a qualified accountant and has extensive Board level experience across many sectors, mainly as finance director.
Robin is a Liberal Democrat Councillor representing the Bradwell Ward on Milton Keynes Council. He has had a varied career including 10 years in the court service, running his own public house and restaurant for 11 years, 12 years as a tax advisor for HMRC and 12 years as a Borough Councillor.
Rupa is a senior marketing professional specialising in digital marketing within the Financial Services sector. Rupa is a strong believer in diversity and inclusion (D&I). Rupa co-leads the Ethnicity Affinity Group for Vanquis Banking Group as well as being an ally for other D&I groups including Gender Balance, LGBTQ+ and Social Mobility.
Tim Roxburgh - Head of Property - responsible for managing our commercial property portfolio and property investments and disposals.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- Chief Executive at the Address below, and She Will Have an Informal Discussion With You