Stephen Elsden

Chief Executive

Stephen has over twenty years experience in the voluntary sector, and before joining Compaid was in charge of marketing for Leonard Cheshire Disability. He is a former Trustee of the Institute of Fundraising and former Chairman of Build Africa. He lives in Tunbridge Wells with his wife and daughter.

Christopher Langridge

Chairman

Chris is a solicitor and a partner at Tunbridge Wells law firm Cripps Harries Hall LLP and this enables him to give guidance to the trustees on legal and governance issues. Chris is married, has two sons and lives in Rotherfield.

Mike Bullett

Treasurer

Mike is a chartered accountant with many years in practice in London, Poland and Jersey. He is a churchwarden and treasurer of a local Parish and a keen bellringer, cricket watcher and wine enthusiast.

Sarah Bullett

Sarah works with children with learning difficulties. She has been a volunteer at Compaid for 16 years and a trustee for about 6 years. Her main interests are outdoor - particularly horse-riding and walking.

Rob Atkinson

Rob is a keen football fan and a member of Tunbridge Wells Football Club's 'Ability for All' club. He has been a client at Compaid's Activities Centre for four years, and also attends the local Spadework and Headway centres.

Emmanuel Berard

Emmanuel has a varied career in international Human Resources in a number of sectors from global professional services, finance and technology firms. He has a considerable history of involvement in a number of charities: volunteer with the horticultural project at L’Arche, Head of Major Donors for the NSPCC, fundraising for The Food Chain and, until recently, Trustee, Chair of the Strategy and Development Committee for The Children of Calcutta. In his leisure time, Emmanuel is a keen amateur painter.

John Turner

A Yorkshire-man by birth, John has had a long career in industry, primarily the automotive sector. He was an economist within Ford of Europe, and subsequently managed their Governmental Affairs activity. Here he was deeply involved in strategic planning, specialising in analysing the external environment. John has also held secondment and consultancy positions with the DTI and the Brussels-based European Automotive industry association.

John Osmond

John is an Executive at IBM working with Alliance partners. He has 35 years experience in the Information Technology industry working in sales, marketing and consulting. He is a local Kent magistrate and his other interests include skiing and golf.

Jenny Barrow

Jenny has several years experience as a chartered secretary in professional firms, the construction industry and financial sector. She is currently assistant secretary for a friendly society. Her interests include Russian language and culture and Scottish dancing.

Tony Riddeck

Tony is retired, having been Chief Executive of Croydon Citizens Advice Bureau for twelve years until July 2009. Prior to that he was a senior HR manager in BT . He moved to Tunbridge Wells last December and has quickly come to love the town. He is also a volunteer for Compaid one day a week at the Activities Centre.

Jeff Smith

Jeff worked for over 33 years in Government IT before moving to Tonbridge 10 years ago, and becoming involved with learning disability through his wife Sheelagh and their daughter Laura (Parris). He has worked for Tonbridge & District Mencap and Kent County Council, and is now self-employed. He is passionate about "Rights, Independence, Choice & Inclusion". Born and raised in North London, he is an avid Spurs and Middlesex fan.

Trevor Watkins

A Londoner, married with one married son, Trevor spent 30+ years in various parts of Lloyds Bank, including two spells overseas, before changing tack and moving to Leonard Cheshire Disability, where he headed their Trusts and Lottery fundraising team. Since retiring from Leonard Cheshire in 2009, Trevor has been working as a fundraising consultant. He is also a trustee of Equipment for Independent Living, a small grant making charity.