Patrons and Trustees
Patrons
Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn
One of the country's leading archaeologists, with a distinguished academic career, including Chairs at Sheffield and Southampton. Appointed Disney Professor of Archaeology in the University of Cambridge in 1981, a post held until retirement in 2004. Master of Jesus College from 1986 until 1997. Life Peer 1991. Many learned publications and honorary awards. Has a great interest in the arts.
Mike Thorne
Professor Michael Thorne became Vice-Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University in 2007, and was previously Vice-Chancellor of the University of East London from 2001. He has a first-class honours degree in Pure Mathematics and a Ph. D. in Computational Group Theory.
Mike is the author, co-author and editor of a large number of books and academic papers, and has contributed to many television and radio programmes, as well as being in high demand as a speaker. He is the chairman of the Parliamentary Skills Commission's enquiry into Information, Advice and Guidance; on the Board of the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education, and chairs the Government's Advisory Committee on Libraries. In his spare time he conducts Wagner operas and other large-scale musical works, and hopes to put on and conduct an opera every year at Anglia Ruskin.
Simon McBurney
Born and educated in Cambridge. An actor and theatre director, in 1983 he co-founded the UK-based Theatre de Complicite, and is its artistic director. Has a profound interest in the link between mental health and the arts, which has formed the basis of several of his recent pieces. He was recently awarded an O.B.E.
Jill Gomez
Patron of the Michaelhouse ChoraleA distinguished soprano, Jill hails from Trinidad and studied in London and Rome. Her international career as a concert and opera singer was launched at Glyndebourne, and she has since appeared worldwide in leading opera houses and concert halls, in repertory from Monteverdi, Handel, Haydn and Mozart, to Britten Tippett, Stravinsky and Adès.
As a recitalist she is especially celebrated in French and Spanish song, and many of her recordings, such as Songs of the Auvergne, have won coveted prizes. Jill believes passionately that everyone can and should sing, and that through singing they can discover their creative energies and wholeness of body, mind and spirit. Jill frequently gives up time to join the members of the Michaelhouse Chorale at their weekly singing workshops.
Trustees
Dr Bronwen Loder
Retired. Active in the voluntary sector. Mental Health Act ‘Manager’ and service user. Fifteen years in academic, scientific research. Subsequently wide experience at a senior level in scientific administration in UK public and charitable sectors, and with the European Commission.
Susanna Longley
Garden Journalist. Strong interest in pottery and painting, and currently taking a 2-year arts diploma course at West Suffolk College
Michael Page
Wide experience at a senior level in the voluntary and not-for-profit sector, in marketing and development roles. Former non-executive director of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health NHS Trust. Trustee or former Trustee of a number of charities.
Christina Rowland-Jones
Retired NHS administrator, and part-time children's music teacher. Carer. Chair, Friends of Fulbourn Hospital & the Community, and initiator of their Millennium Arts Project. Mental Health Act ‘Manager’.
Richard Taylor
Recently retired as Director of the Eastern Regional Development Centre of the Care Services Improvement Partnership, a national advisory and support service whose purpose is to improve service users' and carers' experience and promote as much independence and fulfilment as possible. Past roles have included Chief Executive of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and the Cambridge Community NHS Trust. Richard has sought actively to promote the role of the creative arts and to support service user access to them in all these roles.
Richard Townley
Retired Government officer. Strong interest in local affairs, and in the arts.
Tim Wheatley
Hon. Treasurer/Secretary. Retired. Over 40 years experience in Charity Management at a senior level, both as a senior paid manager and as a Trustee.
Development Associate
Kay Goodridge
Wide experience as a photographer and community artist, including artist-in-residence at the Leper Chapel, and at Addenbrooke's Hospital. Considerable grant-making and project experience throughout Cambridgeshire and beyond, covering participants of all ages, with a range of conditions, in a variety of settings including prisons.