Board of Trustees

Registered Charity no: 1065586. Company no: 3446307.
Former Cllr Christopher Starnes worked for the Royal Opera House and English National Opera before becoming Company Secretary for a private international organization. Lives in Bexhill and is Rother District Council's representative on the Board of Trustees.

Steve Williams (Chairman) was recently Chief Legal Officer and Group Secretary of Unilever, Steve remains Special Counsel. He is Senior Independent Director of Whitbread PLC, and a Director of Croda International PLC. He also oversaw the redevelopment of Unilever House, the development of the Unilever art collection and the major sponsorship of Tate Modern. Steve lives in London.

Sara Stonor (Vice Chair) is Vice Lord Lieutenant for East Sussex and until recently has been Chairman of the Chichester Cathedral Restoration and Development Trust, which has raised considerable funds over the past several years including major events at the Pavilion. She is an embroiderer by profession and teaches in this subject. Sara has lived in Burwash for 30 years.

Cllr Robin Patten is a Councillor and Cabinet member for RDC, lives near hastings and through nomination has recently joined the Board of Trustees.

David Sulkin is Chief Executive of the Musicians Benevolent Fund. He is also Chairman of the Hastings and East Sussex Creative Partnerships which develops arts related projects in local schools. He has been involved in music and education throughout his career. David lives in London.

David Getty is the Head of Commercial Law Services at Gaby Hardwicke and Member of the firm’s Board of Management. He is a legal adviser to numerous charities and local businesses. He was the President of Bexhill Chamber of Commerce from 2005-06, has been a Bexhill resident since 1987 and is a keen musician and photographer.

Richard Burton is a senior manager at EDF Energy who has worked as a consultant (via Arts Council England) with both the English National Opera and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Felicity Truscott and her young family moved from London to Bexhill sea-front five years ago. She is an active member of the local community and has a strong and practiced background in the arts & crafts, having studied arts at Edinburgh University.  

Julian Bird is Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre and Theatrical Management Association. He also acts as the Executive Producer of the Olivier Awards, the UK’s main annual theatre awards ceremony.

Anne Hynes is Commercial Manager of Southbank which covers all the catering and retail services of all venues within the complex. She oversaw the recent redevelopment of the RFH in terms of its retail and catering franchises as well as upgrading the trading viability of its direct visitor services. She joined the Southbank from Australia where, having originally studied Fine Art, she previously managed enterprises of ABC Broadcasting and the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney. Anne lives in London.

Geoff Dudman retired as Conservation Officer for Rother District Council in 2004 and was retained as adviser for RDC during the redevelopment of the Pavilion. His advice during the capital programme was particularly vital in maintaining a close working relationship with English Heritage and he remains a close advisor on planning matters. In addition, he undertakes a number of voluntary services at the Pavilion in terms of public tours and talks. Geoff lives in Hastings.

James Braxton is a founder Director of the major national auction company Dreweatts. Originally trained as a chartered surveyor, he has worked for several auction houses in the south east including Brackets, Edgar Horns and Gorringes and has become a known media figure in antiques including programmes such as Flog It and Bargain Hunt. James lives in Herstmonceux.

Sean Albuquerque is an architect with his own practice in the south east. He has been Chairman of the RIBA South East for the past two years and is currently advising the Pavilion on its exhibition celebrating 175 years of the RIBA. He lives at Bentley Wood in East Sussex, the house designed by Serge Chermayeff.