Governance
“It should be a ‘given’ that all trustees understand their legal duties and are committed to their cause and good governance: leadership; integrity; decision making; risk and control; board effectiveness; diversity; openness and accountability; all underpinning organisational purpose”.
Charity Commission – Charity Governance Code.
The Apuldram Centre is governed by a Board of voluntary Trustees, appointed according to the Charity’s Articles of Association. They play a vital role, bringing passion and commitment as well as sharing their range of skills and experience. The Board meets regularly throughout the year and recognises that good governance is essential for the success of The Apuldram Centre. In conjunction with the management team, the Board sets the long-term vision and protects the reputation and values of the organisation by providing strong leadership and by demonstrating their decision-making and accountability.
Steve Blaber – Chair
Steve spent the early part of his career as a chartered engineer working for the Ministry of Defence. For the last 30 years he has been in church leadership, having recently retired from staff of a local church where he now serves in a voluntary capacity and as a trustee.
Steve and his wife have been involved with Apuldram since 2017 when they moved into the area and their son started attending the day centre. They are all passionate about the ethos at Apuldram and would say it’s been the best experience that their son has had in all his time attending adult day centres. In his spare time Steve likes walking, and spending time with family and grandchildren.
Chris Buckland
Chris stepped down from being Chairman in Oct 18 and remains an active board member, Chris has a son who Apuldram support.
Anthony “Tom” Thomas
Tom joined a major oil company straight from school, and his various early roles focussed on loss, energy, and environmental management. He worked for the same company for 35 years and on his return to the UK after working for over 10 years in Asia and the USA, became Director for Climate Change for the downstream businesses, with responsibility for commercial project management, and mentoring staff across the group’s global operations.
He is an experienced leader in governance and working with major organisations such as the EU, US EPA, and other national governments. He is married with 2 adult children and 1 grandchild and his interests are family, friends, travel and sport.
Colin McCormack
Colin spent his early career in a major U.K. bank where he specialised in commercial lending, risk and general management. He joined the Apuldram board on his return from over 20 years working in Africa and the Middle East running commercial and development banks, an Africa-wide Microfinance organisation and an East African education group.
He is widely experienced in board governance, having served on 18 boards and is an experienced leader and executive mentor. He is married with 3 adult children and his interests include family and friends, travel and walking.
Janice Bell
Janice Bell joined the board of Apuldram in October 2018. Janice has business background with particular expertise in bidding and providing oversight to the delivery of service contracts. Her previous charity board experience includes Relate Portsmouth & District, where she was a trustee for eight years. Janice is also a member of the Open University Business School’s International Advisory Board and is Treasurer of the local sailing club. Her interests span the arts and sports, she runs regularly (“badly and slowly” she says) and follows rugby with a passion.
Peter Bradley
Peter is a Civil Engineer and has lived and worked locally for over 30 years. He lives with his family in Chichester and has been involved with Apuldram since his daughter started attending in 2010.
He was previously a trustee of Chichester Downs Syndrome Support Group and is currently an active member and trustee of a local church.
Rick Thornton
I am a volunteer in the horticulture section at Apuldram, this is an opportunity for me to pass on a lifetime’s experience in gardening.
My commitment to supporting adults with learning disabilities stems from a long and personal experience.
I hope that my career in public service has given me skills that may be useful to the organisation, especially in emergency planning and business continuity.
I am retired and apart from gardening, I am dividing my time between the golf course, beekeeping and my grandchildren.
Judy Davenport
Judy spent her early social work career helping people move out of both Forest and Aldingbourne Hospitals, supporting individuals into their new homes in the community. She has worked closely with Apuldram over many years and especially values the way Apuldram has developed its many supported living services.
Since retiring from managing the local CTPLD (community team) she enjoys long distance walking with her husband and friends, volunteer involvement with New Park cinema, St Wilfrid’s hospice, Pallant Gallery and the Arts Society and loves spending time with her friends, family and her grandchildren.