West Berkshire Therapy Centre News
November 2010: Patron.
Professor Christine Collin MBBS Hons FRCP, who is president of the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine at the Royal College of Physicians, has a agreed to become a patron of the Therapy Centre. Professor Collin's agreement to lend her further support to the project is testimony to the value which the West Berkshire medical community puts on this project. We look forward to her guidance.
April 2010: Appointment of new director.
We are please to announce the appointment of John Tew as Director. John’s main career was spent with Royal Mail, reaching the position of Director and General Manager (DGM). As DGM he was responsible for multi-billion pounds revenues. He has wide experience of negotiation with large corporations and dealing with lobby groups, as well as management of large staff numbers. He has also represented Royal Mail on worldwide stages presenting the background to Royal Mail’s successes during the 1990s. In 1999 he left to pursue other Business interests that have included the acquisition of businesses in the area of Data and Print. He has been active in incorporating these purchases into a successful ‘Transactional Print’ organisation that currently has a turnover of in excess of £12m per annum.
March 2010: Appointment of Finance Director.
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Shaun Leahy as the Board’s Finance Director. Shaun lives in Newbury with his wife and basset hound. He qualified in London as a chartered accountant, worked in Saudi Arabia and has been Finance Director in companies in the IT sector in the UK. He previously volunteered as trustee and treasurer for a local charity in London from 1996-98. Shaun adds: “After being diagnosed with lymphoma and given six weeks to live in 1999, I believe still in thinking positively”.
January 2010: We are going for planning permission
Local developer Rivar has agreed in principle to sell to us on favourable terms the plot identified just off Pinchington Lane, Newbury. As soon as certain issues are addressed we shall be going for outline planning permission. We and Rivar are appointing a number of specialist advisors to help us to see through this difficult application. There are: Chris Strang (planning consultant), Glanville (structural engineering), Graz Design Studio (architect) and Baker Shepherd Gillespie (ecological consultants).
December 2009: David Fothergill
It is with regret that we announce the resignation of our popular chairman, David Fothergill, who has worked very hard on our behalf to bring the project to fruition, especially in developing our robust business plan. David and his partner, Pauline, wanted to move nearer to their family in Yorkshire, put their house on the market and immediately found a buyer, so they will be moving away within a month.
November 2009: Appointment of two Board Advisors
The Board has appointed Jenny Ainsworth as Treasurer. Jenny comes with a wealth of experience, following her retirement as a tax partner with the Reading firm of accountants, Moores and Rowland. Jenny was also president of the Chartered Institute of Taxation. Simultaneously, the Board has gratefully taken advantage of an offer of pro bono assistance from a qualified architect, Gurmeet Sian, the principal partner of London-based firm Office Sian. Gurmeet will help with client-side architectural issues.
October 2009: Formation of Limited Company
The Project Board, formed two years ago to establish a Therapy Centre in West Berkshire, has now formed a not-for-profit company, West Berkshire Health and Well-being Social Enterprises Ltd. Its directors are: David Fothergill (chairman), Kevin Carter, Norman Casson, John Holt and Irene Waters. Steps will soon be taken to further strengthen this Board by the appointment of a Financial Director, a physiotherapist (to replace Penny Lilley, who recently stepped down for personal reasons) and a PR specialist. Meanwhile, an application to become registered as a charity is to be lodged.
