Richard Steel [Chairman]

Mr. Steel has lived in, or near, Winchester all his life. He is Chairman of the family firm Richard Steel & Partners for whom his son, Iain, is Managing Director. A keen sportsman in his younger day, he played both cricket and rugby at representative level. He is President and a life honorary member of Winchester Operatic Society, President of St John's Ambulance Winchester Division, Chairman of the Winchester Working Men's Housing Society, a Trustee of the Magpie Cancer Centre Appeal and a former trustee of the Theatre Royal. He was appointed as a trustee of the Charity in February 1988 and became Chairman in January 1991. He chairs the Trustees' Finance, Staff, and Policy & Review Sub-Committees.

 

Martin Lowry [Vice-Chairman]

Mr. Lowry Is a Chartered Surveyor and Land Agent, and consultant with Drewett Neate, Winchester. He is a trustee of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and was until recently Chairman of the Countryside Policies Panel of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. He is a board member of the Hampshire Economics Partnership. Brought up in London, he has worked in Winchester for 39 years. When there is time to spare, he enjoys the countryside, Sunday morning tennis, watching rugby and trips to France. He was appointed a trustee in January 1991. He serves on the Trustees' Finance and Policy & Review Sub-Committees.

 

Alistair Cole

Mr. Cole was appointed as a trustee in December 1988, he has lived in and near Winchester for more than 40 years. He is a Chartered Accountant and a partner in the local accountancy firm, Morley and Scott. Married, with three sons, he is actively involved in Scouting and enjoys sailing and fly-fishing. He serves on the Trustees' Finance Sub-Committee.

 

Angela Craig

Trained as a nurse in St Thomas' Hospital, London, Mrs. Craig is married to a former Winchester GP. Having spent many years working in nursing homes, she completed her career in the training ward of St Paul's Hospital. She has three adult children. She enjoys being a grandparent and her interests include music, wildlife, and conservation. She was appointed a trustee in September 1999. She chairs the Trustees' Moorside Sub-Committee and also serves on the Almshouse Sub-Committee.

 

Patrick Davies

Mr. Davies Is a solicitor who previously worked for Eastleigh Borough Council. He has been a Winchester City Councillor since 1973, is a Leader of the Council's Labour Group, and has stood twice as a Parliamentary candidate. He is a Governor of Stanmore School. He was appointed as one of Winchester City Council's nominated Trustees in June 1989. He serves on the Trustees' Staff Sub-Committee and Policy & Review Sub-Committee.

 

Sue Hewins

Mrs. Hewins has been associated with the Charity since leaving school, when she started work in the Winchester City Magistrates Clerks' Office. At that time the Clerk was also Secretary to the then St John's Hospital and the Allied Charities. She continued doing the clerical work of the Charity until retirement in 1968. Her interests are gardening and helping at Alresford Senior Citizens Lunch Club. She became a trustee in September 1971. She chairs the Trustees' Almshouse Sub-Committee and also serves on the Devenish House Sub-Committee.

 

John Higgins

Married with four grown up children, Mr. Higgins trained in residential care and has worked across a range of client groups for more than 30 years. He has lived in Winchester since 1975 and has served as a City Councillor for seven years. He was appointed a trustee in June 1991 as a Council nominee. He serves on the Trustees' Almshouse Sub-Committee.

John Lunt

Mr Lunt was appointed a trustee in 2006. Having obtained an Honours degree in Law from Bristol University, he qualified as a solicitor in 1971. After working for a few years in Oxford, he came to Winchester in 1976 as a partner in a firm with offices here and in Petersfield. He retired as a partner in 2006. He sat as a Deputy District Judge from 1988 to 2003. For two separate terms, he was Chairman of Winchester Citizens Advice Bureau. When not working, he enjoys choral music (singing with the Wayneflete Singers and Southern Voices, and occasional conducting), bird watching (both in the UK and abroad), and travel. He sits on the Staff Sub-Committee.

 

Penny Morris

Following university and attaining both a PhD and an MSc, Dr. Morris began her working life as a research officer investigating the social aspects of homicide. Teaching in further education followed, at the London School of Economics and the University of Southampton, as well as extra mural lecturing for the Home Office. She held the post of Joint Chief Officer for the Winchester and Central Hampshire Community Health Council from October 1991, retiring in December 2003 when CHCs were abolished. Her particular interests include mental health services and the provision of care for frail elderly people and those with dementia. She is a freelance writer and facilitator and does voluntary work as a qualified mediator with Winchester and District Neighbourhood Mediation Service. She and her husband have three West Highland White Terriers, so free time includes caring for them, gardening, swimming and reading. Appointed a trustee in May 1993, she chairs the Trustees' Devenish House Sub-committee and also serves on the Moorside Committee.

 

Richard Osmond

Mr. Osmond moved to Winchester in 1997 and was formerly Secretary to the Post Office, after a career in personnel management and community affairs. He is a governor of Peter Symonds' College, having been Chairman from 2000-2004, and is a trustee of Community Action Hampshire. His interests include cathedral music and bird watching. He was appointed a trustee in September 2001 and serves on the Trustees' Moorside and Staff Sub-Committees.

 

David Sanders OBE

Mr. Sanders is a scientist whose working life was in the manufacturing industry. He is chairman of his own marquee-making company with a workforce of 55 people. He and his wife live in central Winchester. He was nominated by the Bishop as a trustee in December 1998, and he serves on the Trustees' Finance Sub-Committee.

 

Elizabeth Starkey

Mrs. Starkey trained as an occupational therapist. She married an Army officer and spent many years in Germany. There her interest in care of older people developed through her work with Sue Ryder. She has lived near Winchester for almost 40 years and was previously a City Councillor. She was Chairman of the Abbeyfield Winchester Society for 15 years, and a trustee of D K Murray Almshouses from 1978 until its amalgamation with St John's in 1991. She was then reappointed a trustee of St. John's, having formerly served as a City Council nominee in the late eighties. She and her husband have three children and nine grandchildren. For many years she bred Golden Retrievers but now, in retirement, her interests centre round her grandchildren. She serves on the Trustees' Almshouse and Devenish House Sub-Committees.

 

Harry Verney

Harry Verney FCA is one of the Winchester City Council nominated trustees. He is a trustee of another Charity which support disabled people locally, as well as being on the Winchester Diocesan Synod. He lives at Cheriton and has three grown up daughters. His wife Sarah works for the Hampton Trust Charity assisting families in difficult circumstances. He serves on the Devenish House Sub-Committee.